Megha Majumdar’s just-released debut novel, A Burning, begins with a simple social media post from a young Muslim woman named Jivan about a violent attack she's just witnessed. She has no way of knowing that she is about to be arrested for the crime, and that her post will be entered as evidence.
The story is set in modern-day India—where such unfortunate circumstances aren't uncommon. The book weaves together three unforgettable characters whose lives are on vastly different paths yet converge in the wake of this catastrophe. The New Yorker likened this immersive thriller to William Faulkner's famed As I Lay Dying, with a plot that “moves with arrow-like determination.” Seems like a great book to crack open this weekend.
Your Pairing:
This is a fast-paced novel, so you want a cocktail that encourages you to slow down and sip. Jim Meehan of New York's PDT bar came up with this rum-based riff on the Negroni, featured by InShaker. Instead of the usual sweet vermouth, it utilizes Lustau's East India sherry, which provides the drink with a deep, raisiny sweetness balanced out by a spicy woodiness.
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