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Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Belonging
Belonging
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ISBN:
9780593803592
Pages:
544
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Release Date:
Nov 10, 2026
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ABOUT
A surprising memoir that tells a riveting personal and political story of love, family, and an endlessly fascinating country: India.
How did a girl from a small village in Italy rise as a politician in India and become known around the world?
Belonging begins in Cambridge, England, where in 1965 Sonia Maino, a nineteen-year-old student, falls in love at first sight with the handsome young man she’s destined to marry: Rajiv Gandhi, grandson of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
In this revelatory book, the once famously reticent Sonia Gandhi opens up with warmth and candor to narrate her remarkable life, from her childhood in post-war Italy, to the romance that brings her to India, to the shattering losses that will reshape not only her own future but also that of her adopted home.
We witness Sonia’s introduction to her formidable mother-in-law, India’s first female prime minister: Indira Gandhi. We see Sonia gain confidence by Rajiv's side as she learns to speak Hindi, wear saris, and relish India’s cuisine. Rajiv works as a commercial airline pilot, and they raise their two children in the prime minister’s house in Delhi. But everything changes when Rajiv's brother, Sanjay, their mother’s principal aide, is killed in a plane crash, and again in 1984 when Indira Gandhi is brutally assassinated by her security guards in the garden of her home. In the wake of his mother’s death, despite Sonia’s fears, Rajiv steps into the role of prime minister. In Sonia’s vivid, wrenching retelling, we feel the full force of the tragedy when seven years later Rajiv, too, while on his campaign trail, is assassinated, by a suicide bomber.
For several years Sonia resists the pressure to join politics, but ultimately accepts the challenge, becoming the longest-serving president of the Indian National Congress Party and earning the trust and affection of millions. But after a key election, when the Congress Party selects her to be prime minister, she makes an astonishing decision—declining the highest office, choosing instead to lead her party in an alliance that will govern the country for a decade.
This dramatic account, epic yet intimate, gives readers a unique lens on India—its tumultuous post-independence history and its present political struggles, offering an insider’s keen perspective on the country’s enormous economic and social changes over sixty years. Most moving of all is the portrait of Sonia herself as she invites readers into her private world of joys and travails. In a voice at once perceptive and modest, she shares her insights into identity, duty, and the meaning of home. Belonging is at heart one courageous woman’s story of finding the strength to remake her life and serve her country.
How did a girl from a small village in Italy rise as a politician in India and become known around the world?
Belonging begins in Cambridge, England, where in 1965 Sonia Maino, a nineteen-year-old student, falls in love at first sight with the handsome young man she’s destined to marry: Rajiv Gandhi, grandson of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
In this revelatory book, the once famously reticent Sonia Gandhi opens up with warmth and candor to narrate her remarkable life, from her childhood in post-war Italy, to the romance that brings her to India, to the shattering losses that will reshape not only her own future but also that of her adopted home.
We witness Sonia’s introduction to her formidable mother-in-law, India’s first female prime minister: Indira Gandhi. We see Sonia gain confidence by Rajiv's side as she learns to speak Hindi, wear saris, and relish India’s cuisine. Rajiv works as a commercial airline pilot, and they raise their two children in the prime minister’s house in Delhi. But everything changes when Rajiv's brother, Sanjay, their mother’s principal aide, is killed in a plane crash, and again in 1984 when Indira Gandhi is brutally assassinated by her security guards in the garden of her home. In the wake of his mother’s death, despite Sonia’s fears, Rajiv steps into the role of prime minister. In Sonia’s vivid, wrenching retelling, we feel the full force of the tragedy when seven years later Rajiv, too, while on his campaign trail, is assassinated, by a suicide bomber.
For several years Sonia resists the pressure to join politics, but ultimately accepts the challenge, becoming the longest-serving president of the Indian National Congress Party and earning the trust and affection of millions. But after a key election, when the Congress Party selects her to be prime minister, she makes an astonishing decision—declining the highest office, choosing instead to lead her party in an alliance that will govern the country for a decade.
This dramatic account, epic yet intimate, gives readers a unique lens on India—its tumultuous post-independence history and its present political struggles, offering an insider’s keen perspective on the country’s enormous economic and social changes over sixty years. Most moving of all is the portrait of Sonia herself as she invites readers into her private world of joys and travails. In a voice at once perceptive and modest, she shares her insights into identity, duty, and the meaning of home. Belonging is at heart one courageous woman’s story of finding the strength to remake her life and serve her country.
STANDARD, PRIMARY, DM AND VARIANT COVERS
Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.
In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.
The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.
PRODUCT TYPES
Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:
Omnibus
- Large, hardcover collections
- Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
- Typically 800-1000+ pages
- Higher price point, often €100-€150
Oversized Hardcover (OHC)
- Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
- Collect shorter runs or story arcs
- Usually 300-600 pages
- Priced between €30-€50
Hardcover (HC)
- Standard-sized hardcover books
- Collect 6-12 issues typically
- Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
- Priced around €25-€35
Trade Paperback (TP)
- Softcover collections
- Standard comic book size
- Usually collect 4-6 issues
- Most affordable option, typically €15-€25
Other Formats
- Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
- Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
- Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues
The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs