Happy: An imaginative and innovative debut novel for fans of Slumdog Millionaire

Happy Singh Soni is a young cinephile from a rural village in India who dreams of becoming an actor. He plans a clandestine journey to Europe, but is forced into ever-worsening work conditions on a radish farm. The novel is about the psychic fissures produced by the splintering of nations and the coping mechanisms created by diasporic people. It is a formally ambitious novel about the basic things that are necessary for human survival, such as food, water, shelter, pleasure, romance, art, and the right to a vivid inner life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2023
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

A novel that defies categorization,Megha Majumdar's "Happy Singh Soni" is a playful and profound exploration of human existence. Through the use of wry humor, Majumdar delivers a dead serious message that resonates with readers of all ages. Melissa Fu, in her review for The New York Times, describes the book as a "bonkers story that reads like a fine ten-course meal." Gary Shteyngart, another renowned author, praises it as "a young cinephile leaves his rural village in India with big dreams, only to find himself trapped in menial jobs and forced to work off a debt he may never repay."

Set in a small farming village in Punjab, India, the story follows the journey of Happy Singh Soni, a young man with a passion for acting. Dreaming of becoming a melancholy hero in Indian cinema, Happy plans a clandestine journey to Europe, where he hopes to land a breakout role. However, his journey is fraught with challenges, including a nightmarish passage to Italy. Despite the hardships, Happy finds solace in food and fantasy, even as he is forced into ever-worsening work conditions on a radish farm.

As disillusionment amongst the farm workers rises, Happy will discover the love and tragedy that his favorite films always promised. "Happy Singh Soni" is a formally ambitious novel that delves into the psychic fissures produced by the splintering of nations and the creative coping mechanisms developed by generations of diasporic people. Through its witty and poignant storytelling, the book argues for the fundamental needs of human survival, including food, water, shelter, pleasure, romance, art, and the right to a vivid inner life.

In her debut novel, Celina Baljeet Basra showcases her talent for storytelling and her deep understanding of human emotions. With its innovative use of language and cinematic style, "Happy Singh Soni" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted and thought-provoking narrative.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781035405886