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2.99 AVERAGE
2.99 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rather than writing 3-4 Hinglish books,Chetan Bhagat should have written an autobiography with some chapters like My Life in IIT, After IIT- IIM and how I found my love in IIM etc.
the redeeming quality of this book is that I never have to read it again
Equal parts funny and exasperating. I read this for the book group I started with friends during COVID. It's kind of a Romeo/Juliet dealy with lovers from two Indian states.
The biggest strengths of this book, in my opinion, are the humor and the dive into Indian culture. I thought I knew much more than I actually did, I'm embarrassed to say. For that reason, I would recommend this read, but if you want a well-written romance, I'd give this a miss.
The biggest strengths of this book, in my opinion, are the humor and the dive into Indian culture. I thought I knew much more than I actually did, I'm embarrassed to say. For that reason, I would recommend this read, but if you want a well-written romance, I'd give this a miss.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This story—boy meets girl and struggles to win over the affection of her parents—is a simple one. The interesting part comes in when:
-boy doesn’t want to fall for her girl because she’s the only good looking woman in his college but of course does anyway
-girl is outspoken and brave which clashes with his perception of women
-their parents are colorist and incredibly difficult!!
*spoliers*
The conflict is deeply rooted discrimination and division within Indian culture that’s not easily explained, especially not here in this story where the author doesn’t expound on much of the cultural context.
You do get most of it from context clues but I’m actually glad he didn’t spend a bunch of time teaching something to the audience. The books was written assuming the reader either knows Indian culture or can figure it out. Not entirely opposed.
Now, there is a lot of cultural nuance that makes it hard for me to judge the actions and beliefs of the characters—that are also real people since this is based on his life.
I can say that the parents should have come to their senses earlier and did what their children wanted for them to be happy. But I also understand the tradition of choosing for your children, setting them up for success and ensuring their match honors the family.
I can say that Krish should have stood up to his mom and been firmer about the unacceptable disrespect she showed to Anaya’s family and that the blatant sexism was super frustrating. But I also understand that many Indian cultures are rooted in patriarchy and the concept that boys are the be all end all of society. Which put a lot of pressure on Krish to be a “good son”.
Anaya probably should have dumped his butt way sooner since she’s a total catch; smart, beautiful, good job, men lining up to impress her family, etc. But she was madly in love with a boy that just needed a push to grow up. There’s a really nice theme of perseverance in this love story.
So I do have all those feelings because I have a hard time writing off the faults of people, fictional or otherwise, simply as cultural differences. We can learn to adapt and see people differently and I think we should want that if it reduces harm in the world. Although I do disagree with Krish’s approach at the end of the book with his twins. I don’t think complete erasure of one’s individuality and pieces of your culture is the solution to overcoming societal barriers either.
Ultimately, this book is about love bringing families together and the struggle for real people to find their happiness and that’s precious.
A note of the writing: the structure of the book was sooo simple, in a way that felt “underdone”. It lacked imagery throughout much of the book, and relied heavily just on dialogue. This made the story zoom by but also cut the richness of it. When he’s stopping to suscribe seeing the guru at the ashram, that chapter was so full of imagery and life that was the lack of that style before and after the chapter very obvious.
I didn’t love the simplicity and struggled a lot to push through it—hence why I score this a 3.
It’s a good story but not a great book.
-boy doesn’t want to fall for her girl because she’s the only good looking woman in his college but of course does anyway
-girl is outspoken and brave which clashes with his perception of women
-their parents are colorist and incredibly difficult!!
*spoliers*
The conflict is deeply rooted discrimination and division within Indian culture that’s not easily explained, especially not here in this story where the author doesn’t expound on much of the cultural context.
You do get most of it from context clues but I’m actually glad he didn’t spend a bunch of time teaching something to the audience. The books was written assuming the reader either knows Indian culture or can figure it out. Not entirely opposed.
Now, there is a lot of cultural nuance that makes it hard for me to judge the actions and beliefs of the characters—that are also real people since this is based on his life.
I can say that the parents should have come to their senses earlier and did what their children wanted for them to be happy. But I also understand the tradition of choosing for your children, setting them up for success and ensuring their match honors the family.
I can say that Krish should have stood up to his mom and been firmer about the unacceptable disrespect she showed to Anaya’s family and that the blatant sexism was super frustrating. But I also understand that many Indian cultures are rooted in patriarchy and the concept that boys are the be all end all of society. Which put a lot of pressure on Krish to be a “good son”.
Anaya probably should have dumped his butt way sooner since she’s a total catch; smart, beautiful, good job, men lining up to impress her family, etc. But she was madly in love with a boy that just needed a push to grow up. There’s a really nice theme of perseverance in this love story.
So I do have all those feelings because I have a hard time writing off the faults of people, fictional or otherwise, simply as cultural differences. We can learn to adapt and see people differently and I think we should want that if it reduces harm in the world. Although I do disagree with Krish’s approach at the end of the book with his twins. I don’t think complete erasure of one’s individuality and pieces of your culture is the solution to overcoming societal barriers either.
Ultimately, this book is about love bringing families together and the struggle for real people to find their happiness and that’s precious.
A note of the writing: the structure of the book was sooo simple, in a way that felt “underdone”. It lacked imagery throughout much of the book, and relied heavily just on dialogue. This made the story zoom by but also cut the richness of it. When he’s stopping to suscribe seeing the guru at the ashram, that chapter was so full of imagery and life that was the lack of that style before and after the chapter very obvious.
I didn’t love the simplicity and struggled a lot to push through it—hence why I score this a 3.
It’s a good story but not a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Krish and Ananya are from 2 different states in India. They have the temerity to fall in love during graduate school. Both families are opposed to the match because they are from different states with different habits and cultures. I'm assuming the author had his tongue firmly in his cheek when writing about the all the hoops each had to go through to win over the others' families but there is usually truth in humor. A fun, summer read from India.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Let’s just say I never had to suspend my disbelief during this story. Aunties and uncles really do have that audacity.