Huthuka Sumi’s book ‘Giants’ launched at The White Owl

DIMAPUR — A personal traumatic experience that sparked profound introspection — a story that follows a boy's journey to find his voice, both literally and metaphorically, as he navigates insecurities, anger, and rage — gave birth to ‘Giants,’ a fiction book by Huthuka Sumi.

The book launching of ‘Giants,’ published by Harper Collins Publishers India and illustrated by Canato Jimo, took place at The White Owl, Niathu Plaza, in Chümoukedima on Saturday.

During a conversation with fellow author Abokali Jimomi, Sumi shared his experience on what it means to have a voice, questioning whether it's just about speaking or something deeper.

He emphasised the importance of finding inner strength and self-awareness to express oneself authentically. This experience catalysed the creation of ‘Giants,’ a powerful narrative about self-discovery and empowerment.

“In lyrical prose that blends magic realism and a deep understanding of human nature, Giants is a startling debut about the stories we tell and those that make us, the author said.

Also read: Nagaland: Norwegian vocalist Birgitte Damberg to release second single with Easterine Kire

Sumi asserted that this world right now needs truth telling above all else while affirming that truth cannot be a subjective truth alone.

“The truth from my perspective could be one thing, but unless I'm willing to look at the truth from the other perspective and pursue an objective truth. We have to come back to the fact that I am writing as someone belonging to a minority community,” he said.

He noted that constant compromise to fit in with the majority can be challenging. Moreover, he warned that bitterness and victimhood can sometimes lead individuals to become oppressors themselves, highlighting the danger of allowing emotions to cloud objective truth. Therefore, he stressed the need to strive for objectivity in truth-telling.

Expounding on the use of magical realism he explained that magical realism feels natural to him, offering the freedom to explore complex themes. The author uses 13 Sumi words in his book which contains 24 chapters.

Growing up in a tribal background with a rich oral tradition of storytelling and lore, he noted that the power of storytelling is deeply ingrained.

Read more: 14-year-old author Kuzo Kezo launches two new books in Kohima

However, he also observed that the simplicity and brevity of these stories often lead to them being undervalued, despite their significance and impact.

Sumi quipped that the publishing house is in a fix as despite ‘Giants’ being published by the children's division of Harper, it's adults who are really connecting with it – and buying it more than children.

The metrics, he maintained show that 70 or 80% of ‘Giants’ buyers are adults. He acknowledged that he feels responsible because it was he that pitched it as a young adult book. He also sees it as an advantage just like the book talks about different pathways and different levels of reality.

Sumi believes that the book operates on two levels: on the surface, it's a story about finding one's voice, accessible to young readers, but beneath that, it explores deeper themes relevant to the Naga experience.

“It is about our story. There is an element of subversion in this book because this is not something that everyone will get. People who have lived our reality will have a different understanding of it. Sumis, for instance, are reacting to the book differently from even other Nagas because I'm writing from a very personal perspective that they relate to. So, even amongst Nagas, Sumis are reacting in a different way-other Nagas are reacting a different way- people from outside are reacting a different way,” he said.

The author expressed that he began to think more like an activist, feeling the weight of responsibility that this book wasn't just for himself, but a tool for many people to find their voice.

For Sumi, symbolisms and metaphors emerged organically in his writing. However, with his first book, he felt compelled to address his personal baggage and the history of his people, adopting an activist mindset to get these stories out of his system before moving forward with future work.