When I like a book, it takes me no time to finish reading it. This evening I read 2 States by Chetan Bhagat, India's best selling English novelist. I must confess that I'm not much of a fiction reader, but when I do read such stuff I like writers that say it like it is. Which is why I've enjoyed RK Narayan, Satyajit Ray and Ruskin Bond in the past and despite all the criticism from the wise, I love Bhagat's writing style. Bhagat is believable, and with his simple language and credible characters, he touches Indian sensibilities. Bhagat hints that 2 States is the story of his own marriage, but cautions that this is a work of fiction. To be frank, this could be the story of just about any Indian marriage -- nothing short of some great romances of Indian cinema, replete with drama, heartbreak and eventual "happily ever afters".I bat for Bhagat's writing and have no doubts that 2 States will be just as popular as his previous novels; Five Point Someone, One night @ the Call Center and The 3 Mistakes of My Life. If you are a romantic with a soft spot for dramatic Indian love stories, this book should do it for you. I confess to being one of them; I couldn't help it having grown up on my dose of Indian musicals. For the stuck up critics, I can only ask them to wake up to India's new intelligentsia, represented by people like Chetan Bhagat who stay grounded in India's reality. I love Bhagat's writing, both in his columns and his books and I marvel at how he touches issues as deep as society, communalism, politics, education and economics in his otherwise lighthearted literary works. Yet again, I recommend this book as a must read!
4 comments:
Indeed a good read. Well paced storyline with some really good quality humor this time around. (Did not like the same in the call center novel)
I especially like the attention to details which is just about right to not bore you !
I have read all Chetan Bhagat's books. I always loved his way of narrating the story, the language.
When I read the brief of this book, i thought whatz there in a lovestory and eventual marraige. I started reading with the mindset of a usual lovestory, but man!!, the way he narrated abt the character 'Ananya'.
I started looking for this girl around in my office and even when I ride my bike. And also i miss how 2 lovers miss each other.
I wonder, I have stood near to girls in the cafeteria but none complained to me or asked opinion abt the food served. I used to go for jogging, apart from a few dogs and aunties, i never saw chicks :-( . fingers crossed, One day some1 will ask me abt opinion on food or for a jog--
This is what chetan bhagat has made me felt thru his stories.
This is an awesome read. (Being a south Indian I didnt like the way Northies think abt southies :p Kidding guys :-) by the by who the heck cares)
Jai CB.
Thanks
Joe
Sir i m ur fan….sir u wrote the awesome nvls….i read all of ur books on the day after of their launching…..i read ur latest nvl nly in 12 hrs…but it contain a reality of this nation….. “National anthem,national currency,nationl teams-still,we won’t marry our children outside our state.”this touches my heart deeply…i nvr forget this one…wen u will be launching ur next book….
gud bye Sir
It's a lackluster
http://anuj-mehta.blogspot.com/2009/11/chetan-bhagats-2-states-lackluster.html
Post a Comment