Author: Chetan Bhagat/ Publisher: Rupa & Co/ ISBN: 9788129115300
Just finished reading Two States and thought of sharing its review. Two States is fourth in line from Chetan Bhagat after blockbuster books Five Point Someone, One Night At Call Centre, and Three Mistakes Of My Life. (What’s with the numbers here? Chetan Bhagat really seems to be superstitious, as all his books start with numbers.)
Statutory Note: If you are thinking that this book is going to be different from his previous writings, then don’t buy it - instead, borrow it from a friend. ;-)
The story goes like this: There is a girl and a boy; they meet as classmates; become friends; fall in love and decide to get married. Here is where they hit a roadblock - the boy is a Punjabi and the girl is a Tamilian and this is where the book gets its name from Two States (of India?). What follows is a long drama of how the boy and girl struggle to convince each other’s family and the hard fact that an average Indian was, is, and will always be (I hope not) against inter-caste marriages.
The story is quite interesting as it keeps one hooked till the end. Plus, it has pinches of humor put in the right places making it more enjoyable and light on the mind too.
Although an enjoyable book, I felt Chetan Bhagat has typecast himself to a certain style of writing which is very evident from the similarities one can find in all his books. To name a few,
- All his books deal with friendship, college life, or love affairs (or all three?).
- All his books have at least two to three pages dedicated to spirituality or supernatural power (his second book was totally based on supernatural power).
- All his books give one common message: if one is passionate and determined enough, he or she can achieve any goal.
Although Two States falls under the 'fiction' category, the book is supposed to be loosely based on Chetan Bhagat’s real life and I didn’t find it realistic enough to justify this. I felt it was quite predictable and very filmy (it seems he writes keeping in mind, the book may be made into a Bollywood movie).
I liked the way Delhi families and Tamil families have been aptly described (I believe most of us North Indians and Tamilians can correlate to it). This part gives more humor to the book.
Well, to conclude I’ll say the book is good, enjoyable, and light. Plus, get ready for another Chetan Bhagat – Bollywood association!
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