The Runaway Boy

The Runaway Boy (Chandal Jibon Trilogy - Book 1) by Manoranjan Byapari is the opening novel in a semi-autobiographical trilogy that traces the life of a young refugee in post-Partition India. Beginning in East Pakistan and continuing in a refugee camp in West Bengal, the story follows Jibon, a Dalit boy whose determination to help his struggling family leads him to run away to Calcutta. Blending personal experience with historical context, the novel offers a moving portrayal of survival, migration, and resilience.

Set against the backdrop of a newly independent India, the book explores the realities faced by displaced communities as they navigate poverty, social inequality, and communal tensions. Through Jibon's journey, readers gain an intimate perspective on the challenges of growing up amid hardship while holding onto hope for a better future.

About This Book

The story begins with Jibon's family fleeing East Pakistan and seeking refuge in West Bengal, where they endure difficult conditions in a refugee camp. Persistent hunger, limited opportunities, and the hardships experienced by dispossessed families shape Jibon's childhood and his understanding of the world around him.

When he is just thirteen, Jibon leaves for Calcutta believing the city offers a chance to earn enough to support his family. His journey through an unfamiliar world reveals the realities of life in a nation confronting the lasting effects of Partition, communalism, and deep social and economic inequalities. As the first book in the Chandal Jibon Trilogy, the novel lays the foundation for Jibon's remarkable life story.

What You'll Discover

• A semi-autobiographical story set in East Pakistan and West Bengal.
• Jibon's experiences as a young Dalit refugee after Partition.
• Life inside a refugee camp and the struggle against poverty.
• A young boy's journey to Calcutta in search of work and hope.
• The social realities of a newly independent India.
• The impact of communalism and economic inequality on everyday life.
• The opening chapter of the Chandal Jibon Trilogy.

Perfect For

• Readers of literary fiction.
• Those interested in Partition and refugee narratives.
• Readers exploring Dalit literature and social history.
• Fans of semi-autobiographical novels.

Why You'll Love This Book

The Runaway Boy (Chandal Jibon Trilogy - Book 1) combines personal storytelling with historical insight to present a compelling account of displacement, resilience, and hope. Readers interested in literary fiction rooted in lived experience will find an engaging introduction to Jibon's extraordinary journey and the wider social realities of post-independence India.