Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s much-awaited memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, may have a new publisher in India after Penguin Random House India (PRHI) reportedly decided against releasing the book in the country following a disagreement over proposed editorial changes.
The development comes ahead of the memoir’s planned international publication later this year. According to a report by The Indian Express, the dispute centred on “editorial changes and deletions” that the publisher wanted to make to a portion of the manuscript.
Sonia Gandhi reportedly did not agree to the proposed changes, leading to Penguin Random House India stepping away from the project.
HarperCollins Reportedly in Talks to Publish Memoir
Although Penguin India is no longer expected to handle the book’s Indian edition, the memoir is unlikely to face a prolonged delay in reaching readers in the country.
Several publishing houses have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the Indian publishing and distribution rights. HarperCollins is said to be close to reaching an agreement to bring the memoir to the Indian market.
The book’s international edition is scheduled for release on November 10 through Alfred A. Knopf, a Penguin Random House imprint. Knopf had previously announced an initial print run of 100,000 copies, underlining the strong anticipation surrounding the memoir.
What Is Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir About?
Belonging: A Journey of Love is expected to offer a deeply personal account of Sonia Gandhi’s life and experiences.
The memoir reportedly traces her journey from her childhood in post-war Italy to her eventual move to India, where she married former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The book is also expected to provide insights into her personal journey, family life and experiences during her decades in Indian public life.
Sonia Gandhi has largely maintained a relatively private public persona compared with many other prominent political figures, making the memoir one of the more closely watched political books scheduled for release this year.
Publishing Dispute Puts Spotlight on Much-Awaited Book
The reported disagreement between Sonia Gandhi and Penguin Random House India has added another layer of interest to a memoir that has already attracted considerable attention ahead of its release.
With another major publisher reportedly preparing to take over its Indian publication, readers may now be watching closely for confirmation of the new publishing arrangement and whether the book will appear in India around the same time as its international edition.
