Chetan Bhagat
More here.…one of the voices of a generation of middle-class Indian youth facing the choices and frustrations that come with the prospect of growing wealth.
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Just wanted to narrate a nice story I heard. A friend of mine, who was in IIT along with Chetan Bhagat, had said that his work was so mediocre that it his submission to the college literary magazine did not accept it. I don’t whether it is a true story, but if it is, I am amazed how this guy could take a whole bunch of Indian public (cretins, most of them, though) for a ride. A good case study?
Comment by Sunil K Poolani — March 29, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Oh, I liked the first book, actually. It was unpretentious and good fun.
Comment by Uma — March 30, 2008 @ 4:42 am
well,in fact a lot of my friends who weren’t at all into reading, got hooked to it by the frist novel, so I guess his work is good for starters
Comment by rahul — March 30, 2008 @ 11:56 am
I liked the “he’s not a literary writer” comment at the end.
Comment by km — March 31, 2008 @ 12:03 am
@ Sunil — I haven’t read Bhagat, so I’ll reserve judgment on whether he is actually a good writer or not. But not being accepted for a college magazine is really no proof of ability or lack thereof. Good writers routinely face rejections from proper literary avenues, and let’s not forget the minor level politicking that drives college magazines and the like. So what if he was rejected by one of those? All it tells me is that the person who shared this gossip probably has a little schadenfreude of the economic success/sheer fame kind.
Comment by Sharanya — March 31, 2008 @ 5:49 am
Chetan Bhagat is tripe. So are Shobha De and Sidney Sheldon. Dan Brown writes badly (though his plots move)
But then the others are not called “the voice of a new generation”.
If he really IS the voice, it’s rather like a retarded corncrake.
J.A.P.
Comment by J. Alfred Prufrock — April 4, 2008 @ 10:45 am
i have read his both books. it’s amazing, you can see the colors of character. every body should read his books.really the youths are getting unusual high after reading his book.
Comment by lalit — April 5, 2008 @ 5:08 am
Most “literary” writers are quite unreadable, Rushdie and his latest tripe-filled book being case in point. If it keeps me engaged through a train ride or through a stupid symposium on metaphorical allegory in Indian writing it’s good enough for me. Besides, even Kiran Desai’s Inheritance of Loss was dismissed by one New York pulblisher as the worst book she’d ever read. I totally agree with Uma and Sharnya.
Comment by Asavari — May 6, 2008 @ 12:36 pm
Hi, my name is jean and i’m going soon to India, Vellore, and I wanteed to know if you could sand me (jmissiou@isep.fr)a drawing where is written “Life is beautiful” in Indian. Please!!!
Comment by Jean — May 7, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
I think Mr. Bhagat Not being a contemporary Writer has done a wonderful job.His plot is actually taking you wherever he wants.
Comment by ankit dixit — May 26, 2008 @ 11:00 am
I think although not being a comventional writer he has done a Fabulous job.Cheers & keep up the good work.
Comment by ankit dixit — May 26, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Ex-IITian and the first book was recommended by a friend. Well, I couldn’t finish it - though it had some pull. My 15-yo daughter picked it up and finished it. Her comment: “Okay. Weird language.” Not lit-crit. but kind of summarizes it.
Although a lot of us are inclined all the time to dismiss an ocean of humanity as cretins, think about it - it simply doesn’t make sense. Each one of the “cretins” just makes different calls and judgments from the others. When they don’t, you have a “voice of a generation” emerge. Results from pressure of producing something every week - talking about the reviewer not Bhagat.
Chetan should maybe spring for a creative-writing course. But, then on second thoughts, why should he kill the golden goose :)
Comment by DesiPanchi — June 13, 2008 @ 3:49 am
its nice to read !
Comment by barkha — June 23, 2008 @ 7:18 am
He is not ‘literary’. Thank God for that. He is different. Refreshingly different.
Comment by Brijesh — July 8, 2008 @ 6:48 am
I do agree that he is different and thats what attracts me towards his books. I would love to share this that Indiaplaza is organizing GoldenQuill award ceremony and 5 best authors and their writings are nominated. We can check if our favorite author is nominated and also vote for them. We will also be getting gift vouchers worth Rs100 for voting. You can check for details at http://www.indiaplaza.in/Goldenquillaward/. So as much as we are proud to be Indians let us also be proud about our Indian authors and be a part of this.
Comment by Ankita — July 31, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
I do agree that he is very different and that what makes him the best. I would love to share this that Indiaplaza is organizing GoldenQuill award ceremony and 5 best authors and their writings are nominated. We can check if our favorite author is nominated and also vote for them. We will also be getting gift vouchers worth Rs100 for voting. You can check for details at http://www.indiaplaza.in/Goldenquillaward/. So as much as we are proud to be Indians let us also be proud about our Indian authors and be a part of this.
Comment by Ankita — July 31, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
I do agree that he is very different and that what makes him the best. I would love to share this that Indiaplaza is organizing GoldenQuill award ceremony and 5 best authors and their writings are nominated. We can check if our favorite author is nominated and also vote for them. We will also be getting gift vouchers worth Rs100 for voting. You can check for details at http://www.indiaplaza.in/Goldenquillaward/. So as much as we are proud to be Indians let us also be proud about our Indian authors and be a part of this.
Comment by Ankita — July 31, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
I do agree that he is different and thats what attracts me towards his books. I would love to share this that Indiaplaza is organizing GoldenQuill award ceremony and 5 best authors and their writings are nominated. We can check if our favorite author is nominated and also vote for them. We will also be getting gift vouchers worth Rs100 for voting. You can check for details at http://www.indiaplaza.in/Goldenquillaward/. So as much as we are proud to be Indians let us also be proud about our Indian authors and be a part of this.
Comment by Ankita — July 31, 2008 @ 12:22 pm