2 States

I am not a voracious reader, but I read a lot. When I find myself amongst learned and accomplished readers, I would skip mentioning that ‘Five Point Someone’ by Chetan Bhagat was one of the first few novels I read. He isn’t considered to be a serious writer. So if people say their favorite books are one of his, they are not to be taken seriously.

In the pursuit of becoming a serious reader or to be thought of as one, I find it hard to admit that I actually like Bhagat’s writings. But after reading his latest book ‘2 States’, I need to change my opinion.

First few lines and you are into the novel. You don’t feel the need to set some pace or to get familiar with the characters. You relate to them instantly. The issues dealt with are so commonplace. Conversations seem like ‘ ‘ve heard this before’. There aren’t any heroics or lectures. You can predict the story. You know what a character is going to say or do before you’ve actually read it. Then why read it at all?

Despite all of the above mentioned aspects, it’s a good read nonetheless. Let me tell you why. The simple reason, you just don’t want to put it down, it’s that good. It makes you laugh, yes it does. I’ve rarely laughed while reading except of course when I am reading P.G Wodehouse or sardar jokes by Khushwant Singh. There were moments when I’d to control my laughter at the very stupidity of a dialogue, a few very good one-liners which I rarely encounter in Indian English novels.

A North Indian Punjabi guy from Delhi falls in love with a South Indian, Tamilian (Madraasi as they are called by Punjabis) gal, that’s pretty much it. The whole novel deals with them, convincing their respective parents and families to say yes to their marriage, as simple as that. Well, that’s where the complications lie.

Being a North Indian, I could totally see what the fuss actually was about. And after spending four years in Hyderabad (though not exactly Chennai) I can say the fuss was not unfounded. The very meaning of the word ‘marriage’ has contrasting dissimilarities for these two classes or cultures. I’d refrain from getting into the details of this conflict, that’s for the reader to find out after or while reading the book.

What is worth mentioning about this piece of work is the true description and depiction of certain terms and phenomenon like being a IITian or a IIMian, being a Punjabi or a Madrasi, being a mother or a father, being a guy or a gal. I especially liked the part where he describes in great details what the parents (both Punjabi and Madrasi) look for in a prospective bride or groom.

There is a modern approach to the whole work keeping in mind the traditions.

Just to add to the masala, look for the description of a young, untamed Punjabi lass or the lines like ‘there is nothing as attractive as a pretty gal, similarly, there is nothing as repulsive as a cocky chick’  ‘put a guy and gal in a room, throw in some boring books and you know’ ‘if there were an entrance exam for the virginity I wouldn’t top it’ ‘are you pure? what was he looking for, ghee?’

I am going to rate it full 5 on 5, just for the sheer entertainment it provides and for the fact that it makes you laugh.