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humatariq's review against another edition
4.0
While I have known of Chetan Bhagat for a long time, I never thought of actually picking up some of his books. 2 states, as most people know, has been brilliantly adapted by Bollywood. The special thing about this book is that it is supposed to be based on Chetan's actual life. I loved the movie and picked up this book long after at a discount stall from KIBF 2015.
I actually liked reading the author's writing. He has a witty and humorous take on life's everyday situations (the story of 4 "Mohits...I think that was the name" sitting next to Krish in class according to alphabetical order really cracked me up. I myself have sat next to 4 people named Anum or Sana during college, at times).
The book also helped clear up some things that I never quite got the hang of after watching the movie. Like I was never sure about the Psychiatrist scene in the movie, but it is very clear in the book.
While judging the reality dancing show, Nach Baliye, Chetan said that. Maybe we'll know someday...
P.S.: While I liked the book all right, I guess one extra star is for the brilliant movie; I don't think I want to read more of his work. But then, maybe I'll pick up the book that the movie "3 Idiots" has been adapted from...
I actually liked reading the author's writing. He has a witty and humorous take on life's everyday situations (the story of 4 "Mohits...I think that was the name" sitting next to Krish in class according to alphabetical order really cracked me up. I myself have sat next to 4 people named Anum or Sana during college, at times).
The book also helped clear up some things that I never quite got the hang of after watching the movie. Like I was never sure about the Psychiatrist scene in the movie, but it is very clear in the book.
While judging the reality dancing show, Nach Baliye, Chetan said that
Spoiler
his father never made to his wedding in real life. His admission really makes me curious as we have a happy ending only due to Krish's father intervention. Does he mean that he never went to Chennai and the two got together in some other way? Or does he mean that while he traveled to Chennai to fix their wedding, he still refused to attend his son's wedding?P.S.: While I liked the book all right, I guess one extra star is for the brilliant movie; I don't think I want to read more of his work. But then, maybe I'll pick up the book that the movie "3 Idiots" has been adapted from...
abhi_sp's review
1.0
It's chokeful of stereotypes and other negative attitudes and ofcourse u have some guruji giving some vague advice. I wouldn't recommend it but compared to his other books , I actually managed to finish this one .
oldgobbo's review
2.0
The amount of internalized racism??? Like I know some characters are supposed to be bad but were characters based on typical stereotypes necessary?? I think not.
logeshwaran's review
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ginger_ale22's review
1.5
i only just read this cuz i saw an edit of the movie and got a bit nostalgic, i instantly understood why some people dislike chetan bhagat yet his writing is so simple for indian readers , that majority are attracted to picking up his books more frequently, it was still pretty bad though, these 1.5 ⭐️s are purely due to nostalgic reminiscence of the movie (in which the mmc’s behaviour wasn’t as insufferable)
mehvie's review
2.0
Falling in love is the easy part but making your family love the person you have decided to marry is the hardest part as Chetan Bhagat shows in his novel.
The author does a good job conveying the message when a person marries someone outside their cast, religion and culture. He portrays the characters in such a way where you feel that you are in their shoes. The novel starts out with a simple love story between the two main characters but as they start planning their future together we get to know the problems they have to face.
In all this novel was too "filmy" and predictable, it is better off as being made into a movie rather than a book. He tried to put in an "American" feel in this book but he did not succeed in doing so. He had me hooked in the beginning but towards the middle and end it felt that the author was trying to finish the novel as fast as possible.
The author does a good job conveying the message when a person marries someone outside their cast, religion and culture. He portrays the characters in such a way where you feel that you are in their shoes. The novel starts out with a simple love story between the two main characters but as they start planning their future together we get to know the problems they have to face.
In all this novel was too "filmy" and predictable, it is better off as being made into a movie rather than a book. He tried to put in an "American" feel in this book but he did not succeed in doing so. He had me hooked in the beginning but towards the middle and end it felt that the author was trying to finish the novel as fast as possible.
agrima1304's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
sakura_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
2.5
marcymurli's review
2.0
Aside from being trite (for readers of American fiction think Nicholas Sparks in the same way he has to tell rather than show what characters are thinking and feeling or to move the plot along), this novel was not even the least bit entertaining, which is the main objective of popular fiction. The novel depicts the struggles of an Indian couple trying to fight for a marriage based on love. I struggled with the content on several levels. For one thing the prose is not smooth and I trip over it--and yet as a popular novel it should have been a quicker read. For another thing the two families--one Punjabi and one Tamil--are portrayed in a way that is riddled with stereotypes. On some level many of them I find true. But it would be nice to read a story dealing with this themes that is more complex and nuanced. By the end of the novel I find myself completely turned off by arranged marriages (something that was not true when I began the novel) and the rationales people use to uphold these kinds of traditions.