Tanaya Verma Verma itibaren Baniya Khera, Uttar Pradesh 212665, Hindistan itibaren Baniya Khera, Uttar Pradesh 212665, Hindistan

When I started with this book I decide to discard all my biases towards Bhagat's writings. Let’s admit it, he has never been a favorite of mine.Alas! it was of no use as the writer continues in exactly the same tone as his previous books. I finally made up my mind to read this book after two years of its release after a strong recommendation by a friend. The story is simple-boy and girl love each other passionately, but the guy is Punjabi while the girl a Tamilian, which is a really big hurdle in marriage as far as the Indian society is concerned. So, the couple sets out to convince their parents for the marriage. The most disturbing thing in the novel is the way the author has to justify the acts of its protagonist, not directly, but by taking digs at all the other characters. We know that the Indian society is a strange one and that the education system is a little 'screwed up' but you did not need to remind us about it by stereotyping every single thing! Such bashing gets a little trying after a while. Though it’s a love story the love angle could have been explored a little more. Sometimes, I wonder whether the characters genuinely liked each other or were together for just love’s sake, if you know what I mean. Also, it appears the book wanted to give the message of a united, secular India but the parts dealing with it sound clichéd and awkward. There is another flaw that I want to write about but first I would like to clarify that it maybe just because of my personal prejudice. There were many sections of the book, that seemed to me, had been written to suit the tenor of a movie script. The best thing about the author is how he amuses the reader even during the most serious of situations. The humor and wit throughout the book is I guess the only thing that makes it flow, notwithstanding at whose expense. If the work is meant to be a satire it should have been publicized as one and if it’s a simple love story it could have been better. I would tag the book as a one-night, light read, with nothing to take away from. Also, I was wondering why do all the Bhagat books have a number in their titles?

This book is absolutly amazing, the first page is riveting and the characters are deliciously eccentric. Must be read with an open mind and a love for a good story. Makes many connections to Metamorphosis.

I couldn't put this book down. I think I have carpal tunnel syndrome now.