Amitava Kumar’s My Beloved Life tells the story of Jadunath “Jadu” Kunwar, a man from a small village in Bihar, and his daughter Jugnu, as they navigate the challenges of life in a rapidly changing India. The novel explores their journeys of love, loss, and growth, while also reflecting on significant historical events that shaped the country.
Through their experiences, Kumar weaves a tale of resilience, showing how ordinary people can overcome adversity and create meaningful lives despite the odds. The book combines a personal narrative with a broader view of India’s political and social transformation over the years.
About the My Beloved Life Book
My Beloved Life begins in 1935 in a small village in Bihar, where the protagonist, Jadunath “Jadu” Kunwar, is born against a backdrop of calamities and survival. From the outset, Jadu’s life is marked by hardships, including the tragic death of his sister and a series of early personal losses.
However, his journey eventually takes him beyond his village to Patna, where he becomes a history professor, gets married, and earns a Fulbright scholarship. His personal growth is set against the political and historical events of India, from the pre-Partition era to the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in the 1970s.
The second part of the novel shifts focus to Jadu’s daughter, Jugnu, who, after a sheltered life in the village, moves to Delhi to pursue journalism. Her story unfolds in a more modern context, as she grapples with the complexities of marriage, career, and her identity as an Indian woman.
Jugnu’s life eventually takes her to the U.S., where she works for CNN and faces new challenges, including a re-examination of her father’s life and struggles during the pandemic.
Throughout the novel, Kumar skillfully intertwines personal experiences with the political and social climate of India, from Mahatma Gandhi’s era to the present day. He explores themes of caste, racism, and the enduring legacies of colonialism and independence, offering a multifaceted view of life in India and the broader world.
The book’s alternating narration, between Jadu’s third-person perspective and Jugnu’s first-person account, adds richness and depth to the portrayal of a father-daughter relationship set against the backdrop of a changing nation.
