2 States : The Story of My Marriage : Chetan Bhagat

                               Image Credit: Rupa Publications
Chetan Bhagat, I have a confession to make. I had looked down on your books as being 'trash lit,' the kind that engineering students read and pronounce is 'too good.' I had seen your books succeed wildly - as an author you did what no other author had done before - you made India wake up and read. And yet I demurred. I didn't want to be caught reading one of your 'college-type' books. And so I desisted. Till I gave in. And bought 2 States. And I confess again, I was surprised. I found myself enjoying your book. It was readable, funny, and struck a chord. You are no writer of Indian classics, to be read in chic New York cafes by awe-struck, phony lit types but you are an eminently readable writer, and I stand corrected. I would love to read more of you. (Conditions apply*).

It is funny how we readers make assumptions. And how those assumptions can turn and snap your beliefs. 2 States is the love story of Krish and Ananya - and their desperate attempt to win over their Punjabi and Tamilian families, respectively. As I said earlier, I enjoyed the easy flow of the book. Chetan Bhagat does not intend to tax your mind. The first half of 2 States made for some wonderful reading - Bhagat's wit is endearing, and I found myself chuckling over a few passages. Of course, as most know by now, 2 States is also largely based on Chetan Bhagat's own life. It is a life that I cannot relate much to - as a writer, Bhagat is obsessed with the IIM, IIT gang, and I am far removed from such hallowed portals of learning. And Bhagat writes purely for them - the life on campus, the hormones, even a live-in relationship, the poor rich lads who land jobs that never ever match up to their erudite learning. Wow. What a tough life.

And then the comedy of Krish and Ananya's marriage or rather, their attempt to get married. This later half of the book reminded me of that classic Bollywood hit, DDLJ or Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Boy meets girl's parents. Tries his best to woo them. Even takes 5AM tuition classes for girl's little brother. Works on girl's Dad's PowerPoint presentation. Helps girl's Mom to sing in concert. Sounds familiar? This half was overly long, dragged out and rather filmi. Bhagat is at his best when he writes light, witty lines. His attempts at melodrama just made me laugh. He is not a poetic writer, and when Krish falls into depression, I did not find myself hurting for Krish, as I normally do for any poor-suffering character in a book, but rather I was chuckling at the so obvious attempt at pathos that it became bathos. Of course, all is happily resolved as it is in DDLJ, and I can see Aamir Khan waiting to make another movie out of this.

So, 2 States is fun. At Rs95, it doesn't cut a hole in your wallet. And it makes for a mindless session of mind wafting. Ain't no classic this, but then, Chetan Bhagat never intended it to be, I suspect.

Verdict : Readable. *Please ignore the pitiful attempt to sound Camus-like in the end. 


Rating : 3/5