Fractured Freedom: A Prison Memoir

He was born into privilege, but chose a life of struggle — not for himself, but for those who live on the periphery. Kobad Ghandy’s prison memoir, ‘Fractured Freedom’, is a story of two people — Ghandy and his wife, Anuradha, who dedicated their lives in the service of the marginalised. The book is their journey from ignorance to awakening. The book details Ghandy’s early life — from his time studying in London to his return to India and introduction to the Dalit Panthers and radical politics — and gives an insight into his decade-long journey of arrests and time in prisons across India.

________________________________________________________________________

---

Inspired by a true story from the childhood of American Vice-President Kamala Harris is ‘Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea’, written by Kamala’s niece and Maya’s daughter Meena Harris. It tells the story of how two sisters worked with their community to effect change. The two live in a society with a big courtyard, but no playground. How they turn it into one is an inspiring story of persevering in the face of disappointment. This is a story of children’s ability to make a difference and of a community coming together to transform their neighbourhood. The book is illustrated by Ana Ramirez Gonzalez, who worked as a visual development artist on the Oscar-winning ‘Coco’.

________________________________________________________________________

---

Primarily a poet, Hoshang Merchant first turned prose writer with his autobiography, ‘The Man Who Would be Queen’. This collection is a sort of summary of 35 years of writing. The topics range from, obviously, homosexuality (for he is one of the foremost Indian writers on the subject) to Anais Nin, who had seminal intellectual influence on him, to feminism, religion, politics and poetry. Needless to say, sexuality is an undercurrent that runs through all his writings. The book deals with his knowledge and the writers he admired. It is a peek into the world of Merchant, whose life in itself is a phenomenal text.

---

________________________________________________________________________

‘Life and Loves of Sahir Ludhianvi’ was first launched to commemorate Sahir Ludhianvi’s 90th birth anniversary in 2011. This reprint marks his centenary celebrations and is an intimate biography of the poet-lyricist. It details the life of his parents, his childhood, growing years, the struggle to get his initial poetry published, his fascinating Bollywood journey, and his love affairs. It is as much about his poetry too and the author weaves Sahir’s life story with the lyrics he wrote. The author draws upon various written material from the time to pen this moving portrait, which Khushwant Singh had called a “definite account of the poet’s life” long before the book was actually published.

________________________________________________________________________

---

As viewers across the world await part two of the Netflix series ‘Lupin’, it might be a good time to relish the book that inspired it. One of the best tropes of the gentleman thief and master of disguise, Arsène Lupin was created in 1905 by French writer Maurice leblanc and first introduced in a series of short stories. An enemy to the rich, a friend to the poor, Lupin is a charming gentleman and the greatest burglar in the world. This first volume begins with Lupin’s arrest and the authorities have him behind bars… but the adventure is only just beginning.

---

________________________________________________________________________

Over the years, the ‘Mahabharata’ has been told and retold many times over. Even if written 5,000 years ago, it continues to hold readers in thrall with its various twists and turns. This one, however, is a slightly different take and tells 20 lesser-known taless. Which Kaurava was inspired by the birds to commit one of the most grotesque murders in the Mahabharata? Why did King Muchkund sleep for a million years and wake up in Dwaparyug? Whose soul had entered the dice of Shakuni? These and more are waiting to be explored.