HarperCollins to publish Sonia Gandhi's memoir amid Penguin controversy
HarperCollins India will publish Sonia Gandhi's autobiography 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'.
Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography ‘Belonging: a Journey of Love’ will now be published by HarperCollins India. HarperCollins India announced this on Friday, calling the much-anticipated book one of the most talked-about political memoirs of our time.
The publishing house wrote on X,
“HarperCollins India will publish Sonia Gandhi’s book ‘Belonging: a Journey of Love’. This long-awaited memoir will be released in India on November 10, 2026. This deeply personal story of love, identity, duty, and belonging offers a rare opportunity to look at India’s journey from within.”
The global launch of the book is also proposed for November 10. It will chronicle Sonia Gandhi's childhood in Italy, her arrival in India, her marriage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and her decades spent at the center of Indian politics.
According to HarperCollins, this book will provide an insider’s perspective on India’s political and social changes. It is noteworthy that the announcement of this memoir’s publication comes at a time when there is ongoing controversy regarding Penguin Random House India backing out of publishing.
Indian Express reported a week ago that the agreement to publish the memoir between Sonia Gandhi and Penguin Random House India has fallen through. The report also mentioned that HarperCollins India was very close to acquiring the rights for the book's publication and distribution in India. It was reported that several Indian publishers had contacted the book's agent David Godwin, but they were informed that the deal with HarperCollins had been finalized more than two weeks ago.
According to a report by Indian Express, Penguin India had requested changes to the manuscript, which Sonia Gandhi rejected. Penguin Random House India had demanded some “editorial changes and removal of excerpts” from a part of the manuscript, which Sonia Gandhi did not accept. This is why no agreement could be reached between the publisher and the author.
Sonia Gandhi has previously written and edited several books. However, those who have worked on this book say it is the most personal and comprehensive account of her life to date. Noff has described it as “the exciting autobiography of one of the world’s leading female leaders,” presenting the story of love, family, and a country like India that always captivates in a very engaging manner.
In a statement released by Noff, Sonia Gandhi was quoted as saying,
“Much has been written about my family, but very few details have reached the truth of the real motivations behind their decisions, their actions, and even their human shortcomings. My story also provides readers with a unique perspective on the social and political changes I have closely observed over six decades.”
Belonging: a Journey of Love is a fascinating account of Sonia Gandhi's childhood, love, family, and her political life. It tells how a girl born in a small village in Italy emerges as a politician in India. In this memoir, Sonia Gandhi presents a document of her life that describes her personal and political journey.
This book also mentions Sonia Gandhi meeting Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge, England, their marriage, and the deaths of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. It documents Sonia Gandhi's journey from childhood to her political life. Sonia Gandhi speaks about the pressures she faced in her political life and the challenges she encountered. Ultimately, the book is fundamentally a story of a courageous woman who works to shape her life and serve the nation.
Regarding this book, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X that,
“I have seen you face every challenge in life with indomitable courage and dignity. I last saw you and Dad 35 years ago. Speaking about the subject of the book, Rahul says, ‘I am happy and proud that your story - "Belonging: a Journey of Love" - will finally reach the millions who love you. I know how difficult it must have been for such a private person to share this beautiful story with the world. Today, on your birthday, I can see Dad smiling and looking proudly at my dear Sonia. With love, Rahul.”