Senior advocate and former AAP leader HS Phoolka at a bookstore showcasing copies of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's newly-released memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', in Khan Market, New Delhi on Tuesday (November 10). Photo: PTI
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir sells briskly; Kerala CM, Tharoor among first buyers
Booksellers in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kerala say the memoir has drawn the kind of attention few recent titles have, with enquiries and pre-orders still coming in
Bookstores in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram reported a strong first day on Tuesday (November 10) for Belonging: A Journey of Love, the memoir of senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.
Store owners said the demand lifted both sales and footfalls, boosting brick-and-mortar retail. In Kerala, Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor were among the first buyers.
‘Spectacular first day’
"The response for the book on the first day has been spectacular. Sonia doesn't do interviews, so this book is as close as we will get to a peek into her journey. Since she is a public figure and belongs to one of the most prominent political families, readers have shown great interest in the book," Anuj Bahri, owner of Bahrisons in Khan Market, Delhi, said.
Also read: Sonia recalls Gujarat riots relief camp, how a father's plea left her speechless
He said the Khan Market outlet has received at least 1,000 copies, which are likely to be sold soon. "On the first day, around 300 copies could be sold," he said. He said the book has drawn the kind of attention only a few recent titles have, including the book by former Supreme Court judge Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Arundhati Roy's Mother Mary Comes To Me.
Early demand builds
Blossom Book House in Bengaluru has reported a strong response to the memoir, with readers thronging its outlets to buy copies. “We are seeing a positive response to the memoir across all our outlets. People are showing a lot of interest in the book,” Maye Gowda, owner of Blossom Book House, told The Federal.
In Thiruvananthapuram, too, there is huge excitement over Sonia's new book. “The response has been really good. Early buyers include Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, Shashi Tharoor, and CPI(M) leader MA Baby. We are also receiving several calls and enquiries,” NE Chitrasenan, owner of Modern Book Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, told The Federal.
Bookstore owners said the early interest and steady enquiries pointed to strong demand for the memoir, with readers turning up at stores to get their copies.
Glimpse of Sonia’s personal side
A buyer who picked up a fresh copy of the memoir said Sonia has guarded her personal life well despite being a public figure for decades. "Now, this is a chance for readers to get a glimpse of her political and personal life," he said.
Another reader said it would take at least a week to get through the 500-plus-page book, but he was keen to know the finer details of her life. "There are going to be polar reactions to this book, but for curious readers who do not want to see it through a political lens, this is going to be a fun read and a great insight into the Gandhi family," the reader said.
Demand for hard copies grows
At Fakir Chand Book Store, also in Khan Market, buyers came in steadily through the day. "We are expecting to sell at least 150-200 books on the first day," Abhinav Bamhi, fourth-generation owner of the bookstore, told PTI.
He said such demand for hard copies is good for bookstores as it brings people back to brick-and-mortar shops.
Early buyers of senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's memoir, include Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor (right) and CPI(M) leader M A Baby (left). Photo: Special Arrangement
Oxford Bookstore on Barakhamba Road near Connaught Place saw people placing pre-orders and buying the book. "We will receive at least 100 copies in a couple of days. There has been a great deal of enthusiasm after a while for a non-fiction book," Lakshman Singh Bisht, manager of the store, said.
According to Bisht, the controversy over the publisher change and the book's political statements has also sparked readers’ curiosity, ultimately driving a strong response.
The booksellers said the publishers would have the exact sales figures.
Tracing Sonia’s life
In the 500-plus-page memoir, Sonia traces her life from her birth in Italy and her years in the UK to meeting her husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, moving to India, and her eventual rise to power.
Also read: Sharmistha Mukherjee questions Sonia Gandhi over Pranab's PM ambition remark
She also writes about her relationship with her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi, the loss of her first-born child, and her treatment for breast cancer.
The senior Congress leader discusses the lessons she took from the Bhagavad Gita and recalls having had little real contact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying their differences were ideological, not personal.
(With agency inputs)