Set in contemporary Kolkata, the story begins when Jivan, a young Muslim woman living in the slums, posts a comment on Facebook questioning the government’s response to a deadly terrorist attack on a train. Her arrest triggers a sequence involving two other protagonists: Lovely, a hijra dreaming of stardom who holds Jivan's alibi, and PT Sir, a gym teacher who aligns himself with a rising right-wing political party. The narrative tracks Jivan’s imprisonment and trial as her acquaintances calculate whether to tell the truth or prioritize their own social advancement.
Readers interested in the intersection of digital surveillance and nationalist politics will find a clinical observation of how individual lives are sacrificed for institutional gains. The book appeals to those who study the mechanics of social mobility and the fragility of justice in a populist climate. A reader finishes the book with a clear understanding of how state power stays intact through the aspirations and betrayals of ordinary citizens, showing exactly how public opinion is manufactured to marginalize certain populations.
Balanced in tone; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- EN
