Today we talk about A Father’s Daughter, a book by Swastika Juggernath published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author, Swastika Juggernath, to get to know her better, when she decided to write about her personal story in her book A Father’s Daughter, as well as how she would describe her writing style.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- When did you decide to write your personal story?
I started writing within days of my father’s passing- which was January 2021 however I was secretly writing my private thoughts to myself. I had encountered a flood of memories- that overwhelmed me, they simply bombarded my thoughts. It was as though my mind transported back in time to my
childhood, and started remembering my father from my early younger age. There was so much to digest that I wanted to write it all down and record it so I would never forget them again…..I would never forget him again. As I recalled my dad’s life, sacrifices and good habits- I instinctively knew that he was a soul worth remembering and writing about. I also wanted my kids to know their grandfather that they did not get much time to play with or understand. All they knew were his last few ailing years and I knew I had to do more justice to the life he lived. A few months thereafter I decided to transcend all my
cherished memories into a story I could openly share with the world.
- What would you like to hear from your readers?
That this book is something they can relate to, at some point in their grief or parenting journey. My story starts depicting my dad’s character and the kind of person he was. This helps readers understand why he deserved a memoir dedicated to him. He was more than a humble human being- he was my everything. Since joining various support groups I have found many daughters all around the world sharing similar stories of uniquely unfathomable love between them and their fathers. Daughters have a very unique bond with their fathers, and I truly believe that a father is a daughters first love. This book helps daughters relate and remember this love, and most importantly the priceless memories that we have to hold onto when they are no longer with us. I also share one of my fears-which is my kids being left in a world without me one day- and they will feel a similar pain I feel….so I prepared a few words of advice to them and for readers to relate to and possibly converse with their kids about the topics of death, grief, emotions etc. This book will appeal to readers who are daughters, fathers and parents. I would therefore like to hear that this book has helped readers resonate with any of the above roles in their
lives and know I have helped them understand that they are not alone. I would like readers to know that there are others too on a similar journey as them in life, even complete strangers who are willing to share their stories and journeys, as they share with the intention to help and support one another.
- How would you describe your writing style?
It’s an open, honest, sincere, simple to read and understand- narrative as I tell my story from as far back as I can remember through my childhood,…..no fancy jargon or sophisticated language that one needs to look up. My story is best understood by someone who is also trying to cope with grief, loss and
ultimately needs to heal. The writing style is emotional as it flows from the heart- through to resonate with readers and it is reflective, as I reminisce through my childhood proudly sharing the abundance of wisdom my dad possessed about life in general. The writing style it is true, it is real, it is relatable and genuine. There is a touch of humour too as this always helps me keep sane! This personal story is descriptive and detailed as it is unpacked from my private mindset of thoughts, never intended for public view, and is layered with various emotions encountered through my grief. The writing style changes towards the end into an advisory one because I know that I need to get through this, and teach my kids how to handle grief too as I conclude the story with some advice for my kids.
- What did you feel by ‘reading’ your life on the pages of your book?
I felt pride, a pride for my dad- and not myself because it was not about me- as much as the title claims “a father’s daughter”! I was proud to know my father, be taught by him, be loved by him. I felt proud to contribute to the world with his life story and values that remain deeply embedded within me. When I read my completed story. I felt as though I am keeping his story alive and documented- because he deserves this and so much more. Today I am the person I am, because of him- he lives on through me and this book explains this in detail. I leave a legacy for my kids- to understand our family generation
and values and have access to it forever. It also feels surreal because I never saw myself as an author- I’m genuinely an avid reader and stemming from this passion for reading- I was convinced to start writing. After spending much dedicated time with real people who encounter grief, daughters in
particular- that encounter grief when their dads pass on….it is their pain, their feelings that had convinced me to publish and share my story and that kind of feels good- like I have hopefully started to make some small & meaningful contribution to this world.
- Are you planning to write more books?
I will have to humble myself and honestly wait to see how readers react to this book first. I didn’t intend to publish this book until I realised how many people were struggling with grief when I started my Facebook group “A father’s daughter”. This Facebook group convinced me that people all over the world were experiencing similar pain and I was selfish to not share how I got through some of my most vulnerable moments. I have since found myself in another critical phase of my life where I have more to share with the world and I believe that I still have more to share, in particular with young females- so yes, there is another book that I have just started- this time with the intention of publishing! This should be completed by the end of this year, so at this point in time, we may see one more!
Europe Books thanks the author Swastika Juggernath once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside her on the editorial path that led to the publication of her book A Father’s Daughter. We wish her the best of luck for her future works.
To you, my dear reader, I wish this book moves you and creates resonances with your personal experience to be of support and great comfort if you are living or are still processing the experience of losing a parent or a very near and dear family member. May this book also help you to tell and remember all the love that has linked you to this person, so important and fundamental in your life through the memories that bind you deeply.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy this very moving reading!
Your editor!