An Unfinished Autobiography

‘An Unfinished Autobiography’ is, indeed, an unfinished one. The author, winner of the Bhartiya Jnanpith Award 2000, has already started work on its sequel. A veritable account of her struggle through life, the autobiography is a truly engrossing piece of work. Winner of the Bhartiya Jnanapith Award 2000 and Sahitya Akademi Award, for her literary works, Indira Goswami is a uniquely-gifted writer. In the words of Kamala Das, the well-known Indian writer, “Indira Goswami has achieved a discipline very few women writers of the 20th century have achieved…She writes even of her own grief with a sense of detachment.” An English translation of her Assamese book, ‘An Unfinished Autobiography’ exudes a quiet courage with which she faced the tormenting pain and desolation she suffered since childhood. Coming from Indira, who says, “Without my pen, I will die,” the book is both fascinating the repelling in its honest and sincere approach to life. A celebrity in modern Assamese literature, Indira Goswami tells her story, which could well be described as “Life is No Bargain”. “On the basis of research and scholarship,” says Amrita Pritam, “she has depicted life in Vrindaban in all its joys and sorrows.” ‘An Unfinished Autobiography’ is, indeed, an unfinished one. The author has already started work on its sequel. A veritable account of her struggle through life, the autobiography is a truly engrossing piece of work.