Biographies one of book fair favourites
People love to be inspired, one of the greatest sources of which are biographies and autobiographies of famous people.
In the Amar Ekushey Granthamela 2016, many readers are visiting stalls in search of these books of icons.
“Readers want to know how their icons grew up and coped with hardships. They get pleasure comparing their lifestyles with famous persons,” said Razia Sultana, in-charge of a stall of Anyodhara Prokashon, yesterday.
The publisher brought out biographies and autobiographies, all translated in Bangla, of Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Nelson Mandela, Mahathir Mohamad, Queen Noor of Jordan, Sachin Tendulkar, Malala Yousafzai and APJ Abdul Kalam.
Buying books on Nelson and Indira, one visitor, Siddiuqur Rahman, told The Daily Star, “They were two great leaders of two different times. I hope their philosophies will enlighten me.”
One of the books, “Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi”, is by acclaimed biographer Katherine Frank who drew on unpublished sources and over 100 interviews to create a rich, balanced portrait.
The other is “Long Walk To Freedom”, a moving and exhilarating autobiography of Nelson, an international hero dedicating his life to fight racial oppression in South Africa.
Another autobiography “A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad” depicts how the former prime minister in his 22 years in office transformed Malaysia from an agricultural backwater into an industrial powerhouse.
“He was a great leader. I hope I will get some inspiration from his autobiography,” said Sajib, a student of Dhaka University who bought the book.
Anyodhara also published a translated version of “The Diaries of Che Guevara” which contains his daily accounts. Razia said they sell over 20 pieces of biographies each day.
Meanwhile, 105 new books were published at the fair. In the last 10 days, 982 books were published.
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