Book Review

Book: Two States: The story of my marriage.

Author: Chetan Bhagat

Publisher: Rupa Co.

Price: Rs 95

The last book that I read was Chetan Bhagat’s Two States. I liked the book very much. It was a great read especially to the youth. It portrays people of India very vividly. In short the book is about a couple who is in love and wants to take their love to marriage with everyone from their parental side’s consent- the most difficult part in India.

The book has lot of description (most proper to say ‘jokes’) about both the Punjabis and South Indians. The story starts with the campus of IIM Ahmedabad where Krish and Ananya’s love life starts. I liked the phrase ‘testosterone charged- estrogen starved’ very much there. IIMA part ends with the convocation ceremony when everything went wrong between Krish and Ananya’s parents. The part after this was a bit boring, with the two lead characters not meeting much, but it was supplemented the jokes with the jokes about the Punjabis and their great boasting and food habits. It was really great. I could not sop laughing when I read about the “20000 calories” at Pammi aunties place.

The next part was in Chennai where the Indian bankers were well dealt, and the South Indians were real fun. The funniest part was the ‘Illa Illa s’ and when Krish could not decide what was the Banana leaf for- to be eaten, or to wipe his hand. How was he supposed to know that it was for a plate? This part also showed how serious the S. Indians were about studies- preparing for IIT from Class 6 or from 14 years.

The novel also portrays Krish’s father very well- the man who didn’t like his in-laws and was a strict disciplinarian. The man didn’t talk to his son much but ultimately plays the most important part in his son’s marriage after Krish and Ananya’s break up in Goa. The part of the break up was a bit boring but it faded soon and the story would have been incomplete without that part.

The marriage was real fun, specially the Kashi Yatra and the Mickey Mouse case. I just couldn’t stop myself stop laughing and almost rolled off laughing after reading them.

The book was great to read, with all those joking and wise writing. I also gave a fantastic message about the marriages in different states through the speech of Ananya’s father after the marriage. But the greatest part was of course the father-son unity of Krish and his father. The book is worth reading and the Rs 95 is absolutely utilized after reading the book.