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A Guardian and a Thief - by Megha Majumdar (Hardcover) - 1 of 1

A Guardian and a Thief - by Megha Majumdar (Hardcover)

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About this item

Highlights

  • Megha Majumdar's electrifying new novel, following her acclaimed New York Times bestseller A Burning--longlisted for the National Book Award--is set in a near-future Kolkata, India, ravaged by climate change and food scarcity, in which two families seeking to protect their children must battle each other.
  • About the Author: MEGHA MAJUMDAR is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel A Burning, which was nominated for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, and the American Library Association's Andrew Carnegie Medal.
  • 224 Pages
  • Fiction + Literature Genres, Literary

Description



About the Book



"In a near-future Kolkata beset by flooding and blight, Ma, her two year old daughter Mishti, and her elderly father Dadu are just days from leaving the collapsing city behind to join Ma's husband in the home he has been building for them in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After procuring long-awaited passports and visas from the consulate, they pack their bags for the flight to America. But in the morning they awaken to discover that Ma's purse, with all the treasured documents within it, has been stolen. A Guardian and a Thief tells two stories: the story of Ma and her family, their struggle to emigrate to America, and their devastation in the wake of the theft that changes their fate to one of implacable tragedy; and Boomba, the thief, whose hunger and desperation to care for his family drive him to commit a crime whose consequences he cannot fathom. With stunning control and command, Megha Majumdar paints a kaleidoscopic portrait of two families whose destinies become inexorably entangled, wresting compassion from each narrative as the complexities of each character's circumstances-their helplessness in the face of poverty and corruption, and the need to stave off encroaching catastrophe--are captured with clarity and piercing empathy. A masterful new work from one of the most exciting voices of her generation"-- Provided by publisher.



Book Synopsis



Megha Majumdar's electrifying new novel, following her acclaimed New York Times bestseller A Burning--longlisted for the National Book Award--is set in a near-future Kolkata, India, ravaged by climate change and food scarcity, in which two families seeking to protect their children must battle each other. A piercing and propulsive tour de force.

In a near-future Kolkata beset by flooding and famine, Ma, her two-year-old daughter, and her elderly father are just days from leaving the collapsing city behind to join Ma's husband in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After procuring long-awaited visas from the consulate, they pack their bags for the flight to America. But in the morning they awaken to discover that Ma's purse, containing their treasured immigration documents, has been stolen.

Set over the course of one week, A Guardian and a Thief tells two stories: the story of Ma's frantic search for the thief while keeping hunger at bay during a worsening food shortage; and the story of Boomba, the thief, whose desperation to care for his family drives him to commit a series of escalating crimes whose consequences he cannot fathom. With stunning control and command, Megha Majumdar paints a kaleidoscopic portrait of two families, each operating from a place of ferocious love and undefeated hope, each discovering how far they will go to secure their children's future as they stave off encroaching catastrophe.

A masterful new work from one of the most exciting voices of her generation.



About the Author



MEGHA MAJUMDAR is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel A Burning, which was nominated for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, and the American Library Association's Andrew Carnegie Medal. It was named one of the best books of the year by media including The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, The Atlantic, Vogue, and TIME Magazine. A 2022 Whiting Award winner, she was born and raised in Kolkata, India, and holds degrees in anthropology from Harvard and Johns Hopkins. She is the former editor in chief of Catapult books, and lives in New York.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.25 (H) x 5.5 (W) x .56 (D)
Weight: .74
Suggested Age: Adult
Number of Pages: 224
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Literary
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
Format: Hardcover
Author: Megha Majumdar
Language: English
Street Date: October 14, 2025
TCIN: 1003485239
UPC: 9780593804872
Item Number (DPCI): 059-01-6636
Origin: Made in the USA
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.56 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 8.25 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.74 pounds
We regret that this item cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
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Q: What themes does the novel explore?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: The novel explores themes of family, desperation, hope, and the impact of climate change on society.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: Who are the central characters in the story?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: The central characters include Ma, her daughter Mishti, her father Dadu, and Boomba, the thief driven by desperation.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: How does the novel depict the setting of Kolkata?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: Kolkata is depicted as a near-future city struggling with flooding and food shortages, creating a tense backdrop for the characters' struggles.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What narrative style does Megha Majumdar use?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: Majumdar employs a dual narrative style, intertwining the experiences of both Ma's family and Boomba, highlighting their competing struggles.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What is the main conflict in the book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: The main conflict arises from Ma's struggle to recover stolen documents while navigating extreme food scarcity and her family's impending emigration.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Additional product information and recommendations

5.0 out of 5 stars with 2 reviews
100% would recommend
1 recommendations
5 out of 5 stars
23 December, 2025Verified purchase

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5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
24 October, 2025

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Fast read & interesting story.
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