Imaan

Imaan by Manoranjan Byapari, translated from Bengali into English by Arunava Sinha, is a powerful literary novel that explores freedom, survival and social exclusion through the life of a man who has spent almost his entire life behind prison walls. Following Imaan Ali's release after two decades of incarceration, the story examines his struggle to navigate an unfamiliar world where poverty, insecurity and marginalisation prove as confining as prison itself. It is a compelling work of contemporary Indian fiction that reflects on justice, identity and the meaning of belonging.

Set against the backdrop of Kolkata's railway platforms and informal settlements, the novel presents an unflinching portrait of people living on society's margins. Through Imaan's journey, it raises profound questions about crime, rehabilitation and whether true freedom is possible for those denied opportunity and dignity.

About This Book

Imaan Ali enters prison as an infant after his mother is arrested for the murder of his father. Following her death, he grows up moving between a juvenile remand home and the prison system until his release twenty years later. With no family, home or support network, he begins life anew at Jadavpur railway station, where he survives among ragpickers, rickshaw-pullers, scrap dealers and others living on the fringes of society.

As Imaan struggles to adapt, the outside world appears harsher and more uncertain than the prison he left behind. Believing incarceration offered greater security than life in poverty, he begins to consider returning to prison by committing a crime. Through this dilemma, Imaan explores themes of institutionalisation, social inequality, human dignity and the difficult search for hope in an unforgiving world.

What You'll Discover

• A moving story of life after long-term imprisonment.
• Insights into poverty, marginalisation and survival in urban India.
• An exploration of freedom, identity and institutionalisation.
• A vivid portrayal of life around Kolkata's railway settlements.
• Complex questions about crime, justice and rehabilitation.
• An acclaimed Bengali novel in English translation by Arunava Sinha.

Perfect For

• Readers of contemporary Indian literary fiction.
• Fans of translated Bengali literature.
• Readers interested in social realism and human stories.
• Students and enthusiasts of South Asian literature.
• Those exploring novels about justice, inequality and resilience.

Why You'll Love This Book

Imaan is a deeply humane novel that examines freedom, dignity and survival through the eyes of a man confronting a world he barely knows. Manoranjan Byapari's compelling storytelling, complemented by Arunava Sinha's translation, offers readers a memorable exploration of life at the margins of contemporary Indian society.