2 states by Chetan Bhagat – A review by blogger Sarah Malik

Cover pic of '2 States'

After regretting the money spent on Chetan Bhagat’s ‘3 mistakes of my life’, I had no plans of torturing myself with his newly published 'story of my marriage'. However when a friend got her copy to college, I couldn't resist the urge to flip a few pages in one of the intolerably somnambulic lectures.

But 25 pages past and I found myself totally gripped to this tale of Ananya Swaminathan, a Tamil Brahmin and Krish Malhotra, a Punjabi studying and making love in one of the most prestigious institutes of India – the IIM.

I won't go into the details of how the story progresses for it is nothing more than a usual bollywood flick where the lead characters are jeopardized and try to work out their way to bridge barriers between their respective families and community narrated in Chetan Bhagat’s style.

The protagonists too are crafted in a similar fashion as in other books of his. The girl, inspite of being a Tamil Brahmin is bold and outspoken. She doesn't mind sharing the hostel room with her boy friend or hugging him in front of her conservative dad.

The guy is forever confused and at times annoying. Narrated from the guy's perspective, best part of the book is the quirky humour which sets it apart from all other Bhagat books. I literally had a hearty laugh at so many instances.

My favourite character was Ananya's conservative dad and the way he warns Krish to stay away from his daughter. Krish’s mother is hilariously portrayed too and would remind you of neighbourhood Punjabi aunties.

To sum it up two states is a light but engrossing and moreover entertaining read and is a literary equivalent to any one of the usual bollywood movies.

For all those looking for a nail biting climax or an absorbing literary work, you have a wrong book in your hand. Keep it back and solemnly resolve never to pick up a Chetan Bhagat again!

My rating: 2.5 + 0.5 (for the witty style of narration) = 3/5

[The review has been done on special request by Sarah Malik, one of the more notable bloggers of India. To read more from her, kindly check out her blog ‘Embodying Emotions’ at http://www.sarahmalikdelhi.blogspot.in/ ]