A new voice in Naga literature is emerging with the debut novel The Heaviness of Being Loved by Meyijungla, a fresh graduate of Fazl Ali College and the 2025 Nagaland University (NU) topper in Education.
The 164-page epistolary novel, published by Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur, unfolds through a series of heartfelt letters addressed to a mysterious recipient — a sailor. Priced at Rs 450, the book is now available at Urban Hub Café in Mokokchung and Butter Bookcafé in Dimapur, and online via @mis_design on Instagram, with shipping across India.
Inspired by Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Meyijungla’s novel captures the introspective essence of a wallflower’s perspective through a series of heartfelt letters addressed to a sailor. The book, which forgoes traditional chapters, was written in a remarkable burst of creativity, with the author completing the first draft in just one month. “I set a goal to write at least 1,000 words a day, but most nights, I ended up writing 5,000,” Meyijungla shared. “The words flowed so naturally—it truly felt like I was meant to write this story.”
Meyijungla’s passion for writing began in childhood with diary entries and evolved into poetry after discovering Robert Frost in school. Her love for novels grew, but it was Chbosky’s work The Perks of Being a Wallflower that sparked the inspiration for her own. “As someone who’s always felt like a wallflower, I felt drawn to it,” she said. “After reading the book, I knew I wanted to write something like that.”
Beyond her literary achievements, Meyijungla’s academic journey is equally inspiring. Majoring in Education at Fazl Ali College, she prayed for a top-ten rank at Nagaland University. “I promised God I’d do my part, and I held on to that promise with faith,” she said. Her dedication paid off, earning her the coveted top spot in 2025. “I knew with certainty that He would make a way, but I never imagined He’d take me all the way to the top. I asked for a place and He gave me the top spot. He didn’t just answer my prayer, He went beyond it.”
Despite skepticism from some who viewed the book as a risky venture, Meyijungla remains steadfast. “I didn’t write this book to start a business,” she clarified. “I wrote it because it’s my passion. I want to encourage others to follow their passion too.”
The Heaviness of Being Loved is poised to resonate with readers who appreciate introspective, emotionally rich storytelling. For those eager to dive into this poignant debut, copies are available at the mentioned locations or online, ready to ship across India.
