A whimsical and innovative debut novel, HAPPY is the story of a starry-eyed cinephile who leaves his rural village in Punjab to pursue his dreams- set against the global migration crisis.
Basra Celina Baljeet Bücher
A young cinephile from a rural village in Punjab, India, dreams of becoming an actor, inspired by films like Godard's Bande à part. Happy Singh Soni, who spends his days among cabbages and sugary rotis, plans a secret journey to Europe for a breakout role. However, upon arriving in Italy, he finds himself trapped in menial work on a radish farm, forced to repay a debt to the smuggling syndicate that brought him there. As conditions worsen and disillusionment grows among the farm workers, Happy navigates a landscape filled with love and tragedy, reminiscent of the films he admires. The narrative blends humor and heartbreak, exploring the psychic fissures caused by national divisions and the creative coping mechanisms of diasporic individuals. This debut novel presents a formally ambitious tale that emphasizes the essentials of human survival—food, water, shelter—while also celebrating the importance of pleasure, romance, art, and the right to a rich inner life. Through Happy’s journey, the author crafts a story that resonates with the struggles and aspirations of those seeking a better life.