Chetan Bhagat magnanimously dedicates this book to his in-laws. He admits that book is inspired by his own experiences and yet he requests the book be treated as fiction. Its hard to, considering every second couple in this country undergoes similar experiences. Not to mention, every Boolywood movie harps on same theme.
The book is all about an IIMA couple’s struggle to marry over the cultural differences. Krish is north Indian Punjabi boy in love with Tamilian Brahmin girl Ananya. (Chetan Bhagat too is Punjabi and his wife is a South Indian.) The only catch is, Krish and Ananya don’t want to elope or be estranged to their families, therefore, they choose to convince their parents for the marriage.
Both Ananya and Krish take turns to win over each other’s families and then they try to make both the families like each other. After all in India, you don’t marry the guy (or girl for that matter), you have to marry the family. In fact, Krish does get 4 gold rings made to propose girl’s entire family! Sounds cheesy? Well, irrespective of my shortened plot summary, you must concede it is a mammoth project to accomplish anywhere, in real life.
Of course, it goes without saying that even though both Krish and Ananya are exceptions to their North Indian and South Indian clan; this book is perfect opportunity to dwell into age-old ‘North India versus South India divide’.
Krish maybe Punjabi boy, but he is blissfully unaware how in his community greedily and offensively ‘boy’s’ side can come on the ‘girl’s’ side during a Punjabi wedding. Similarly, Ananya, the Tamilian girl is completely unlike other Tamil girls: For one she is not as dark as southern girls ( a fact she will be reminded over and over again by Krish’s Punjabi clan) and unlike her staunch family, she both drinks and eats meat. (May be we should thank IIM for breaking the latter stereotype 😉 )
Though the premise is most realistic, it draws your attention to cultural differences in diverse India. Some of them are as simple as boisterous, loud Punjabi music versus quiet, mellifluous Tamilian Carnatic music. However, the difference in sensibilities is predictable. I familiarized myself once again with all the clichés.
In fact, after reading the blurb and title Two States; I was aware that plot progression will be predictable. So what if the book questions the racism India practices against its own countryman? It questions why we are scared to marry outside our clan. Lovers themselves have the dilemma that if it is worth it to marry with making so many members of the families unhappy. Is it worth it?
But then since we have been asking these questions for a long time with little progress, I personally read the book with complete detachment in one-go. I had a fair idea what was to come, so there weren’t many heartstrings moved or surprises for that matter.
I don’t need to comment on Chetan Bhagat’s language, for we all know he has never claimed to be literary. Sometimes lines are cheesy and you may have heard them before. For example, My father never smiled through his wedding. How could he, he was marrying your mother? Or
However, long ago, I had read this post about 5 elements of Chetan Bhagat’s wrting: young, modern characters (it helps if they are from IIT or IIM); conversation with F word, Blooywood-ish plots complete with proposals on knee; a love story and a twist at end. All these elements are there in this book, only you know the twist for this book.
Every Indian who watches Bollywood knows the twist in this story. Yet you must read this book once, if only to be reminded of what lovers from different communities go through at the hands of their families. How love is at mercy of societal, familial norms. And how a man eternally finds himself torn between his girlfriend/wife and mother. No prizes to guess the last one. Oh yes, I forgot there is also a hurried, steamy account of a college affair; you could find bit of Five Point Someone reminisces there.
Review all said and done, I sometimes wonder why couples from different communities give into their feelings for each other when they know they won’t go against the grain of their families and that their families will never ever accept their partner. It is an unnecessary heartache and heartaches do leave scars, even if time heals them. I am glad at least Krish and Ananya, Chetan Bhagat book’s protagonists, tried even if results weren’t always desirable.
Rating: 2.5/5
Hmm…the theme sounds like that of a recent tamil movie(I didn’t watch the full movie, but I saw enough of it to know its similar to this)…
Personally I don’t care what time of family the girl comes from etc, since for me her ability to understand me is important…but yes there are many who go through those painful days..and I do wonder why the hell people care about the skin colour? I mean what are we going to do, make handbags out of the person/ children in the future?
LOL! Vishesh I loved your quip on colour of a person. I once this serial called Saloni about dark-complexioned girl, the ma-in-law said she wud her son to dark girl only for huge dowry as a sign of her generosity. Her immortal dialogue was: Aakhir apne khandaan mein tabhi kaala rang aane dungi (afterall she would be allowing dark complexion in her future family genes.)
@poonam:lol 😛 Weird…maybe it is time we come up skin colouring like hair colouring…You know, people can go like, I will allow my son to marry only a red coloured person..or Pink colour Indian..Or maybe someone who has got blue strips on red.. 😛
Vishesh if ur opinions about skin colour r realy like dis n u r saying all dis by heart i mean these r ur pure feelings den i will realy appreciate and i can tel u dat if u r going through ur lyf wid dis type of feelings den ur lyf wid ur lyf partner is going to one of the best
Fodder for another Bollywood film? 😉
Maybe. 🙂
Exactly.
yup man
so..it is as expected from Chetan Bhagat….!
well it is his style.. everyday language…no twists and turns expected endings type…..
2.5 is like ok..
Yes, in my opinion it is an OK book, no master storytelling here. 😉
what else do u want from him Oorja…..
do u want any more porn in dat story….
u try to write ur life story.. i ll rate it to -2
read books dont rate them….!!
Poonam: Your IP has been blocked at this space. Your comments here are no longer welcome. I can’t allow you abusing people here.
I’d like to see how this one ends because Chetan always picks up relevant issues, but in the end, rather than trying to make it something unpredictable, it always goes the “and they lived happily ever after” way. I have no problems what so ever with Chetan’s writing style. As you yourself mentioned, these books aren’t for the Rajeev Masand’s of the writing industry, but for the Average Joe who doesn’t want to go into the nitty gritties of writing styles, rhymes, alliterations and similes. My only issue with him has been that the endings are predictable, and that the premise seems similar every time. I wish he’d go out and have a protagonist who’s not young, just out of school/college and please Lord make him give up on those detailed sexual intercourse descriptions because there is no reason why they are there. In fact, whenever the sex starts, I find myself going – “Chalo bhai, is book ka item number aa gaya”. I don’t know about Ananya, but the loves of the protagonists in his other three books have been atrociously similar. I’d just like the protagonist to fall in love with some sexy item girl or something like that for once. But then that’s just me.
You got it, books is targeted to the average Joe. This book’s story will be predictable to everyone. You know all cliches about Punjabis and Tamils. Its not predictable story I am worried about, Wake Up Sid was predictable but I loved the treatment. You read a book for the experience. And this one somehow doesn’t linger long. It is one-time masala read. That’s all.
P.S: There are bolly moments in this book, but none that can be categorised as item number. This one is too hurried book.
Hi Ishmeet,
CB is weighted for his IIT & IIM tag,
You cant expect Sachin to play football like Maradona
He is an intellect (academic wise)
the the story telling is also not so bad, why stories should have hard words which tests the vocabulary of the readers and virtual (imaginary) axioms and phrases ,
Why it should not be just like a movie script .Why Not
Then why the ending should not be happier in literature
Moreover this story is written by an techie and a premier B-school gugy not from Literature graduate who kills themselves by Killing all the characters in their novel and after reading the reader will be dumbstruck , as if there is no tomorrow, earth has no bliss so suffocating stuffs right from Romeo and Juliet, Akbar and his lover
in one line , why a pair should love like that nobody ever loved b4 and end in death
In a Word i like stories end s with happily ever after.
Believe in Fairy tale guys.. u wanna live happy or be a mummy and last forever in a museum.
PS – I’m posting this only because I forgot to click the “Notify me of follow up comments via email” check box earlier. So yea, you can safely delete this. 😛
Why am I not surprised.. Somehow Chetan Bhagat’s writing never grabbed my interest and after reading his first book, have steered clear of them.. Guess, one more of his books crossed out – for me.
Ironically I loved his first book. It had three characters you find everywhere in a college. A smart alec, a loser and an average hero. But magic hasn’t quite been recreated again for me.
Chetan Bhagat is sure lucky. His books sell like hotcakes. This books sounds a little better than his last two offerings.
I think it is also to do with pricing strategy. 95 bucks and also that he writes in plain English devoid of any complicated nuances.
Btw, your comment that he is ‘lucky’ rubbed another commentator wrong way. If curious, check his POV out.
well this book was not so good as his first 2 books were … chetan have set his own records and now its time for him to break thm n prove that grt writer can always face challenges as we know tht now chetan is a full time writer i hope next time he will really come with more entertaining novel that will not sell by his brand but by its MATTER !!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven’t even read the first one, but at least he has picked up an extremely relevant issue. The way we make issues out of non issues is sad. I have seen endless objections and finally parents forcing the child to marry someone of their choice- and then neither the child not the parents are happy, because the chosen spouse is not an obedient and pliant as they had planned.
So eventually they marry and live happily after in this one???
Yes, they do live happily ever after. His books end on a positive note always.
It is relevant issue, no doubts about that. See my comments, somehow I felt it was a storytelling at superficial level. So, I read it in one go with detachment. Do you plan to read it?
It sounds like a one time read, so I may not buy it… but I think I will read it, just out of curiosity.
Well, I liked the book. We all know that Chetan Bhagat’s books are the masala-types, yet he brings out the truths so correctly. Even in the last book, 3 mistakes of my life the Gujarati society was brilliantly described. In this book narrow-mindedness of Indian has been portrayed aptly. The romance was brought out well. The best thing I like is that the author never reveals explicitly in any of the books that the stories his own life experiences. He just leaves a hint. Overall a pretty entertaining book.
Yes, no two people read the same book. I did mention it has a steamy romance. 🙂 About the last book, I agree Gujrati society was portrayed well, but I would not say brilliant. Though I agree there is something abt a masala story in this guy’s book, much as I try I can’t extoll same enthusiasm as I could for his first book. To me it remains the best book by him, even if the subject in this latest book was after my own heart. I can’t put my finger on it why I can’t muster enough excitement about it. Afterall, he has written a honest book. Though there are several improbable, Bollywood-ish moments like when he proposes her! 😉
Hey Arnab, he doesn’t leave a mere hint. He actually tells its inspired from his life. And there are references to Five Point Someone involving a professor’s daughter, as if they are from his life as well.
Yes, a small town society was brought well in last book. But due to his self-imposed restriction of telling a short story with a paperback worth 95 bucks, you don’t get luxury to dwell or build upon more on the story plot. It is too hurried. Otherwise we Indians are forgiving about predictable story if it has a fine treatment.
But I agree a cost-effective entertainment nevertheless.
I have read your review, and its fair enough. No issues on your review, but there are a few people, who go overboard.
I dont know why people need to be so very harsh on his works and criticize his books as 100 rupee books. He never claimed to be a great – gramatically correct writer, for them to be so harsh, and pounce on him. His words are simple, and his characters very much identifiable and they talk, just like the way, you or I speak. So, what’s the big fuss about?
Even someone here says that he is plain lucky for his books to sell like hot. Dude, you can’t be plain lucky for your books to sell in millions, and if you still insist, that he is lucky, you are just jealous. I think the people who kind of pass those sarcastic comments about his books, should probably try writing a book and try selling atleast a few hundred copies of what he does, and then probably try criticizing him. I dont have to mention the number of copies of award winners like Arundhati roy or Salman Rushdie, in comparison to him.
Criticism is fine, but some people over-do it a bit.
P.S: His third book was real bad. It is a fact that cant be denied that it was almost as good as only a violent hindi film, but his fourth one is a lot better. The story was obviously on expected lines, and when you knew that it was based on his real life, it obviously was going to be a fairy tale ending, of course.
Hey, I like it that you are being honest without being judgmental at me. Thank you for that! 🙂
Personally I found his second book worst; I still thought third was better. And as I acknowledged this current was an honest book, and as you say inspired by his life (not to mention his style that always has happy ending) it had to have a happy ending. In fact, a sad ending I might not have liked either. Pur pata nahi why I thought namak kuch kam tha. If you know what I mean.
And really there is no point in bashing the guy unnecessarily, when you have bought the book by choice o read him. That’s being a snob. And this guy needs to be credited for bringing out readers in many so-called ‘non-readers. 🙂
Thanks again for coming by and having your say. 🙂
Chetan Bhagat has a good style of narration – it is both casual and cool… It instantly catches your attention. But I agree (like the other commenter’s) that he unnecessarily brings in ‘item numbers’ thinking that it would become the star of the book. But the star of the book is actually everything but that and his endings. I liked the first book, haven’t read any other. Not much into fiction these days. This is a nice review. I feel that it is not worth marrying outside ones community – the politics that each community plays is different from others 😉
Destination Infinity
Ahh this is a late comment but nevertheless.
Well as we already discussed the review is totally apt. You know to the last question you have posted
“I sometimes wonder why couples from different communities give into their feelings for each other when they know they won’t go against the grain of their families and that their families will never ever accept their partner.”
I think its not something you decide and do, its something happens to u before you realize it is happening. I know it sounds a tad too filmy but then actually if it is pre-decided then its never this strong.
This looks like a book I shud be buying…
I am going to grab a copy of this book. I read the previous one which was not bad. 🙂
We concur here, previous book was not bad as second one atleast. 🙂
Hmmmm!!!! You know my views about this one 🙂
As far as last line is concerned I guess it is all fate. You can not stop yourself from falling for someone because if you could things would be far easier! Nahin? Yes the trials & tribulations attached are too much and result mostly leaves your charred but then am sure it was worth the effort. If you have your heart in then it is worth giving a try 🙂 and I hope you know what I am trying to say 🙂
It figures why we are a fate-believing nation. I know what you mean, girl. 🙂 I am glad to know you.
I thght book was good one…if you compare his last 2 books..and I don’t think that big predictable is bad…execution matters..:D
And even tho ppl rip him apart , they can’t ignore him…there are n number of people who read this book in first 2 days itself just like you and me…it explains something…:)
Nicely done post.
Agree being predictable is not bad, execution matters. But execution is bit hurried and superficial. Then again that is because he has to restrict his storytelling in a slim (95/- priced) book. Yet a one time masala read.
And ripping him apart completely is not fair when people choose to buy his books even though they kinda know what to expect.
“I dont have to mention the number of copies of award winners like Arundhati roy or Salman Rushdie, in comparison to him. ”
Even porn vcds are in a greater demand than the dvd of any Oscar-winning film, does that get the former somewhere in the prestigious bracket? At the end of the day, it’s something with substance which wins the accolades, not a certain Chetan Bhagat who is synonymous with meaningless fluff! And regarding reaching a target of selling so and so many copies, all one needs is shrewd marketing and sheer hype nowadays. Some people are even of the opinion that – thanks to Bhagat, the Y-generation is back to reading books even in this super fast age of computers and stuff. A day will come when parents will heave a sigh of relief even when they find a porn mag amidst the textbooks of their children. Atleast he/she is reading something apart from only school books, ha! And yeah, this is sex education after all! Knowledge of birds and bees ! Coming back to Bhagat, he actually writes his stories while fantasising which director from Bollywood would show some interest in turning his book into a full-flegded movie. And maybe that’s why the pages are filled with instances which show someone writing in the middle of a strange daydream.
instead of blowing your guts out on chetan by writing this mammoth essay ,you can just admit that chetan bhagat’s style of reading is not your TYPE.Your taste lies in those dan brown type novels(which i do the read by the way) wherein half the pages are utilized(wasted) in explaining the nuances of each and every brick and wall visible to the protagonist.so dear tejal,everyone has his/her own likes but you can’t trash a person who has a quality of writing humurous masalatype novels which have LOL moments on almost every page.
I found it predictable, masala stuff and the story is so common in India-that it happens everyday around us. And the question you ask remains: Why do people, who know their families so well and no they will abide by them, no matter how illogical their thoughts are, even start on a path, they know they cannot follow through…
Though I am OK with Chetan’s writing style in General and would have taken the frequent racial humour attempts in a “sportive” manner, the irony in this book was that, the main characters are actually fighting against a racist society. When the book stands for the open-mindedness of the young Indian society Vs. racist attitude of the older, it is diffcult to digest the hero himself making such racist attacks! So I feel the impact was diluted. Such comedy in any other book, ok – but not this one.
I have been meaning to read this guy. But tell me, is this book readable? I mean does it hold your attention throughout?
Well Nita, if you have not read him, it is a good light-hearted read for a train journey. You will have the experience of chatting with a cheerful college friend. If you read multiple books of his in a row, you may get too tired of the friend chatting in the same style non-stop. My opinion.
I do not expect him to be literary, it’s just I find him utterly boring… 1st 2 books I read and I stand by my generalization of his works after that…too boring for me.
Not my kind of writer either 🙂 As I have told Smita, I can neither relate to the way he writes nor the story. So, I think I will go treat myself something nicer for 95 bucks, what say? 😉
Believe me, u wont get anything nicer in 95 bucks.. If u claim to treat urself on Mc Donalds cheaper McVeggie meal, or any other so called meals, take my words as granted.. “This book will give you larger and longer pleasure, a feeling that is going to stay.. A taste that will make you wait for his next release”..
If you cant relate, then problem could be few. Not an youth, or most studious well spoken guy on the block.. Else wise his character has a shade which many of us could relate too, if not in totality then atleast in bits n bytes.
Chetan Bhagat is going to stay, and the India will wait for his next !!
Chetan Bhagat is here to stay. And so does Rakhi Sawant and Himesh Reshammiya 😉
ya dude,I could relate big way to the characters!!!its way too conservative down here in the south!!!
Then maybe you loved the book. 🙂 Hope review was helpful!
Review was good……
wish every guy gets a gal lyk ananya……………at least i wud be more than happy………..
cmon guys..chetan is not the greatest writer in any forms…but i find his books entertaining,emotional and lovable… what if all his endings and style are predictable, dont we love SRK, Rajni all their movies are predictable..to all those rajeev masand type critics jus enjoy this entertainer’s work…luv u chetan
Chetan Bhagat surely has this big bucket of mush under his writing desk. Damn man, grow up – how long are you going to feed all of us those sickeningly sweet , super-cheesy “novels” of urs ?
Tejal…
What do i say about you…please let me know the current masterpiece you are working upon…or may be the greatest novel of the century that you are currently reading…Man..you are something..you can relate a light indian reading to a Rakhi Sawant or a Himesh Reshammiya…great..I really appreciate your style and beg you not to leave your comments for any book review..You will do better, writing reviews for Radio..upcoming movie of himesh reshammiya.. Good Luck…
Guys..don’t you think its big time we put some restrictions on readers like this..
Have your say..Tejal..i will be waiting though.. i know you can’t keep quiet.
I forgot to mention..I had pink floyd singing for me while reading the book…and i would have loved some vodka nearby..
How do you connect to characters..Tejal?
Chetan Bhagat’s 2 states is highly engrossing.Moreover me having stayed at both delhi as well as chennai(currently staying) could very well relate to the 2 cultures described here.Its pretty funny at places-the way he pokes fun at the Tam Brahms and the punjabis!!!Also the guts shown by the protagonists must be inspiring us to carry on the task of “national integration” as he mentions.
3 cheers to Chetan!!!
But did you not think that they were cliches you know well enough? I thought I needed more, it was too hurried, too superficial. But not too bad either. 🙂
A nice and entertaining book. Perfect when you want to read something light and get amused. Not all books are meant to be literary works with complicated plots. Chetan has never claimed to be a grammatically correct writer but for youth he speaks and that’s what makes him a writer with a fresh approach. He has kept his promises. So far so good!
Good review there, Poonam! And the follow-up discussion in the comments is equally interesting.
Quoting you…
Review all said and done, I sometimes wonder why couples from different communities give into their feelings for each other when they know they won’t go against the grain of their families and that their families will never ever accept their partner. It is an unnecessary heartache and heartaches do leave scars, even if time heals them.
Now I am wondering how this question still exists for you even after reading the book! Or have you never been in love? 😉
Hi – Read the book at one go (just like his other books) as I feel that if you let the book down and get to form opinions on the story unfolding midway, it somehow spoils the fun – something like watching a movie in parts…Coming to the book, I personally liked it as it it was very close to my own real life where I being a North Indian got married to a Chennai-based Iyer girl – could actually picturise most of the situations in the book. Like everyone has written earlier, the story is very simply said and sticks to the basic plot but what none talk about is that the main base of the whole plot is the love the protagonists share, which makes them go through the whole story or torture as one may put it..an extremely difficult situation for one to understand who has not gone through such emotions in one’s life..Contrary to the reviews given here, I enjoyed the book – it may sound cliche but the fact is that reading the book left me with a feeling of walking out of a Indian Movie with a happy ending…My message to Chetan would be to Keep up the good work! Its a perfect book when you want to read something light and get amused. Not all books are meant to be literary works with complicated plots written to please critics only (who never get pleased in any case!) The message at the end in the form of the girl’s dad’s speech was a nice touch to the story!
So d sequel of 3 idiots is ready.i found his story filmy n predictable like many .but sumhow i just cant resist myself to spend 95 bucks everytime his book comes.
Yes, 95 busks is not too much to lose. 🙂
nice book ]with full bollywood masala but at last the book makes me feel to show South indian culture and their marriage customs tec,At the end like climax i laughed when krish wears underwear with cartoons character coz his bride like cartoons characters,and he denied to change when it was visible from his white lungi.
Second one when girl father said you have to flew from marriage venue he took auto and flew away coz his father in law doesn;t told him to either return back, or stop
Yes, those were the funny moments. Thanks for coming by and talking about it with open mind. 🙂
oops!
chatan has done another great job with “two ststes”
i was noways to mis the golden oppotunity to miss this book so i ruahed to hyderabad in order to have the book.
on 13th the book was with me and by 15th october i finished the book
its great to read him …………….
there are many touchy moments which touched my sole.
keep it up! CHATAN
The story touched your sole? I reckon it is a typo. 🙂 You must be a die hard fan if you rushed to another city to get the book. I am curious to know which moments in the book you found touchy.
finished the book…am going to write about it…wonder how it would have been if someone had written about Punjabis the way he did…its too racial, yes it exists I admit, but then when movies get banned by them for nothing, I think I have to say something at least..besides he does say its his story and do I take it that the hero is him?
Yes, he says hero is him. And I agree it comes across as racial even if it is a fact. A Punjabi friend reading it was actually liking it. I asked her to hold her horses and make her opinion after she has finished the book (She was still at the steamy affair phase.). How did you find it? Say in few words, rest will read in your review. 🙂
I liked the book on the whole..but an IIT IIM grad, talking like this? yes its fun, but the way he has said it, it is like he encouraging it not trying to bring racism to light..seriously I have many North Indian friends in Chennai(will write about it in detail) and well don’t Marwaris and Gujjus also stay away from non-veg etc etc?
At least Hitler gives you reasons for his attitude, this seems to be plain audacity and he is the best selling Indian author? Seriously? Making money at what cost? By encouraging this sort of thing?
I don’t think people here will take it offensive but I do wonder how this will affect Tamils living in the North..not many would have come to Chennai and they would take what is given in the book as the reality..
yes we are all racists, but do you and me write about these things in our blogs?
Thought I’ll share this link here
i was trying to see how close he cud get to the reality if you fall in love with an south indian girl, i was looking for some usefull hints to use in my own life unfortunately i din get much……and apart from the racist stuff (which was claimed not be be taken offensive)the only thing turned me on is how he proposed the whole family and eventually how they get close to each other…but also wondered how many of us wud get the same chance to get involved with the girls family as he got….eventually there was no appropriate reason for his dad to turn good just like that……..
in total i quote this as an Usual punjabi Movie and not my fav writer chetan’s Novel…..
by
tamil guy who is getting married to an Punjabi girl…..Oops am sorry an indian who is in love with his fellow indian girl…..
I read all his books and definitely 2-states in no-1 place for me.
Here in the review, it is mentioned that why should someone go ahead if he/she knows how painful the journey is? This is ridiculous. I don’t know if someone really wants to love a girl just bcz everything will be fine in future. If someone is doing it then its a arrange marriage.
Chetan in the book wanted to tell the people that they fall in love and they did nothing wrong. Then they tried their best to convince their family. They could have easily taken other steps which their parents couldn’t even protect but they didn’t.
Hmm….gr8 conversation to join.
Well! honestly speaking I am a reader who loves to read books as per mood…and at present I really lived the story narrated by Chetan Bhagat. So I could relate to the story very well.
however I agree, the punches were not well placed..at times wen u r very seriously engrosed in the story..a sex sequence does’nt help. moreover, I dont’d feel our elder generation is going to approve pre-maritals anyday. So, in one way Chetan’s effort to reduce the distance between Indian States has widened the distance between the elder gen and the Ge-X and Y.
Also as a piiece of advice, I would suggest Chetan should work on his diction.
If you want to bring revolution in the Gen-Y, pick topics which could really encourage the youth to feel the need to read the Constitution of India! Why not pick a story from NALSAR or NLSU.
“I sometimes wonder why couples from different communities give into their feelings for each other when they know they won’t go against the grain of their families and that their families will never ever accept their partner. It is an unnecessary heartache and heartaches do leave scars, even if time heals them”
I did not understand why you wrote the section i have quoted.. We first have to question the fundamental concept of marriage and its need? Legal procreation, legal ability to calm down ones sexual hormones, a social norm that ensures civility in society, or an institution that allows two people to be labelled normal in society.
If we believe marriage is none of the above, it means marriage is a bond you forge with someone you care for and want to ensure their happiness for ever by promising to be with them for ever. A person not your family by birth but your family by choice. When you exercise this choice to find the perfect partner for you then religion, caste, etc should not matter. It becomes a problem when you give into stupid constraints set upon by society. Its because we are not strong enough to stand by our value system. Not the value system doctorained in us by society culture etc but the value system that we believe in.
The concept taken up in the novel 2-states desires appreciation. Because, we often turn a blind eye towards the cultural differences that exists in here. Even though we take pride in the so-called ‘unity in diversity’ concept, are we actually united within the diversity? If so then why don’t we refer to ourselves as Indians, rather than categorizing ourselves as Punjabis or Marathis or Tamilians? He has made an attempt to bring the quite obvious into our attention.
I agree with both poonam and Sugeeth,the author has not claimed himself to be a literary genius.Infact in each of his book’s preface,he has acknowledged that his books are for light reading.Well I agree that the cklimax was too predictable,but i really like the way he potrays his wittiness in his story telling.
PS: I felt Five Point someone was more enjoyable than Two states
thank you for the review..after reading one night at call centre…i think i will wait till his book gets a 4 star to read any more of him 😀
Nice review here. I have been living under a rock for a while and (ashamed to say this) didn’t know when Bhagat’s new book came. Anyways reading it now after I read about it here.
By the way a newbie in blogging world (and by extension to your blog) and I intend to linger on.
Just came across a great offer for all fans of Chetan Bhagat and thought of sharing with you.
This book is available at hindglobal.in for Re 1 only..
But its worth much more.. Worth reading..
quite similar to real life couples during college , yet i liked it .
I felt that its a genuine one.Issues which we all know but those which we smartly forget.Also i dont know why people expect a bollywood style twist or dramatic end , hey come on , its real world.Moreover , i dont think anyone reads a book for experience.It feels strange how can you get experience from a book , u can gain it through you life only(thats why we have theory sessions and practical sessions in academics) .i will rate this book 4.5/5.0 .
I am trying to guess if this book was inspired by bollywood or was written with an intent to become a part of bollywood…
Read my review of the book here:
http://anuradhagoyal.blogspot.com/2009/10/2-states-by-chetan-bhagat.html
It’s a lackluster novel
http://anuj-mehta.blogspot.com/2009/11/chetan-bhagats-2-states-lackluster.html
The book is extremely good . I jsut loved reading it. People in Residential Universities,IIT or IIM in that case will find close to thier hearts. Being familiar to both the places and culture ,I had a great time. I would rate it 5/5.
Amusing/Entertaining /and Involving Book.
Best of Chetan Bhagat.
i didnt like the book, he has put down south indians
i’d like to rate it 4/5. i’ve read his all 4 novels and i opine it the best among them. as far as literary language is concerned, novel is also a communication mathod with the reader and 2 states fulfill the perps compltly. its diction is fntstc. plot is well woven. i recomend it to every body, as it is related to one of the biggest problems of our society.
Man, so much negativity over a book that is outrightly optimistic in its approach.
Okay, Chetan Bhagat is not Salman Rushdie, but then none of the bestselling authors in History were literary greats of their times. Shakespeare was quite similar in his times, so was Aurthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Kalidas.. I could go on.
What Mr. Bhagat would achieve, only time would tell.. but he certainly got us talking about his books.. Kudos.
By the way, I read his recent book.. had a good laugh.. 100 Rs well spent…
Now reading Dan Brown’s new book.. To be honest, After Chetan Bhagat, Dan brown look a little slow. hee hee
Well frankly, I never read a review and decide whether to read a book or not.. I’ve been dissappointed many a times..
The best way is to spend time at the bookstore..
However, I do enjoy reading reviews after I’ve finished the book, it helps me compare and find a pattern in the thinking of the people and of the critics.
Hi folks…. .I read the book at one go like many of you. Personally i really like the stories that ends on a happy note.
It was an amazing portrayal of how a couple convinces their parents…. . It reminded me of a great movie EK DUJE KE LIYE starred by Kamala Hasan…. . Thank god the end was not like the movie… .
hi guys…. i read the book last night.. and frankly i did nit like it… for one reason…i am a tamil… and there was too much a dig on us…. what is he after…?… he could have euqally taken the liberty to dig at both the communities but i guess he is worried to be called in by some bearded sardars from Amritsar and he is answerable to them…. in the novel at least in two places he uses strong vulgar terms in tamil…. they are a type of langauge used by an auto driver agreed… would chetan have had the same guts to use a similar language (in hindi or punjabi in the same novel) and get away from it… is that the punjabis don’t use a slang?.. walk in the streets any Punjabi area or in the streets of Amritsar or anywhere you will hear them… i liked all his previous novels but i am hurt here in this as a tamil… he might have owned up loving madaris in the beginining but i guess what is important is making money and selling books and who gives a #$@# about others’ feelings right?
Man, I am a tamilian myself and found nothing racist against us.Chetan has clearly mentioned in his book earlier that he has taken sum liberties,after all we r all one. We are proud of our culture and it is one of the uniquely vivid ones in the country,though it may be termed conservative. But the truth abt autowalas is tat they don differentiate b/w locals or outsiders,everyone is treated shabbily by them.As far as colour is concerned,yes a North Indian feels completely isolated in a place of Dravidian culture coz of his color. One needs to appreciate sum of the author’s jibes abt the film posters, politics, staunch Hindu paper reading habits of tamils .I personally congratulate him 4 breaking sum stereotypes abt brahmin girls 2, the woman is shown to be a modern yet conservative girl…Thru her independence chetan has portrayed a strong feminist face in this book. Finally, I think as a fellow Tamilian and an Indian, this book has definitely only open discussions abt sum of our Indians age old system of dowry,intercaste marriages…..whether u r a northie/SI,these r relevant issues. Hats off.This book is def not 5.sumone,but read it an 1 go,u wll wont be disapponited.
what is it …. a standard response?
To be completely Honest….I expected a lot Chetan Bhagat…..But he went off track with his Latest Novel….”2 states”…You dont briang a Change by tell people about your marriage….If he wants to be a good writer then he should do a better job at writing…I hope he comes back on the right path !!!
why don’t you write and try bringing a change as per your standards?
i jus lov chetan bhagat’s simplicity in his writing.it touches ur heart.
I liked the book alot… as it reminds it of the famous movie Ek duje ke liye and moreover I liked the way chetan has presented it very smoothly.
he has given both the communities an equal say, and both sides made aware of customs from 2 states. He won in enforcing the concept to be Indian.
He dont give us the poison to read while applying our brains, he gives us soft stories embided in our own customs and making India read like never before.
Poonam nice way of presenting your review. As being writter I can say his way of story telling is so simplistic as far as language concerns. but thats good point of his writting. I like this book far better than 3rd one. ofcourse five point someone was the best out of four. But one of the guy said ,, people dont need to be harsh so much and i agree with that. What so ever we cant deny that when ever his book comes it goes with number of millions in very short period of time and that shows about him,,,, no need for any explanation…
First time read your review and kinda like it ,,,
keep it up
regards,
anayas
I do write , but in my language (gujarati)
http://www.herbu1.wordpress.com
http://www.truthofbelief.wordpress.com
tottaly chetan bhagat’s style>>>>>>>>
i like it………………
reading two states makes me feel like reminiscing Chetan’s previous works.i am from nepal but i am quite aware of the racial divisions in the indian societies.Ananya’s characters largely seems artificial and over motivated(perhaps).I can bet no south indian girl is dumb enough (or clever enough),sorry for the word,but its fact,to make love in such short span of time while one is getting an degree from IIM.
and the plot of the marriage-day heroics largely seems melo dramatic,like his previous works.He must avoid these loop_holes,either you want to go dramatical way or you go in a m,ore practiccal way,other way is no way .they make you lost or make you seem lost.
nevertheless it was a good art of story telling,good enough to finish in a single sitting.
Really interesting book.. Makes us think of what India is lacking in today…
Read my view on the book at
http://kruthika-organizedchaos.blogspot.com/2009/11/2-states-story-of-my-marriage.html
well i hv read d book ….and i kind of liked it thoroughly.
in-spite of no twist and turns,quite expected end,a big moral speech at the end,and pretty easy language…..i still liked it coz somewhere i always find myself linked to the characters of chetan bhagat novels….
i like the way he narrates his stories and give readers adequate tym to get themselves attached to the protagonists…
i liked the novel even more becoz i m myself a Punjabi and a delhiite ..so i cud relate to the places and culture he was talking about…
THUMBS UP..[:)]
bottom line :
5 point someone – BEST
1 night @ call centre – YUKK
3 mistakes of my life – UMM……OK
2 states- WELLLL…..
A PIECE OF ADVICE TO MR. BHAGAT – STOP QUANTIFYING THE TITLES OF UR NOVELS….( I CAN VISIBLY SEE A TREND..)
AND TO MISS POONAM – INDIA IS A FREE COUNTRY…. WE ALL HAVE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION…. AND BEING A MODERATOR DOESNT PERMITS U TO BLOCK ANYBODY..
heh…same old same old. the usual punjabization of india and “sinngh is kinng” mentality.
someone should write about punjabis that way. let’s see what happens!
PS: NO I AM NOT A SOUTH INDIAN.i am marathi. but i am sick of the punjabi crap. i mean, this shit was NOT there in any of chetan’s novels before this one.
A true depict of the dichotomy b/w the cultural bend and the intinctual drives. Neverthelss , Chetan has hit a success card. The dialogues are poignant and deliver more than what is meant.The undercurrent from the prologue to the epilogue is arresting . Cheers ! Chetan, commendable piece and a clear evidence of gushing knack
hi meenal from sirsa ? … its deepak jain here! trying 2 reach u… search my profile @ orkut.. or ping me at deepakpresent AT gmail.com ( pls. replace AT with @ )
A true depict of the dichotomy b/w the cultural bend and the instinctual drives. Neverthelss , Chetan has hit a success card. The dialogues are poignant and deliver more than what is meant.The undercurrent from the prologue to the epilogue is arresting . Cheers ! Chetan, commendable piece and a clear evidence of gushing knack
good entertainer for neutrals ……..racial references,dark skins all pertaining to tamils is his narration generalises ppl & culture from south……
He has huge fan following in south India(chen) prior to tis book…
he has let down his fans from south india……hope he redeems himself in his future works……..
lol hope this book doesnt get banned in tamil nadu…………………………..looking forward for a tamil guys writing about his marriage to a punjabi girl…..
This is really cool. I enjoyed each and every moment. I linked myself with Krish. No, I’m not Punjabi -from Dehradun.
I have been in Chennai for 3 years. And I have seen all the places mention in the book, Nungambakkam, Guindy, ECR road, Fisherman’s cove etc.
Luckly my girl friend was posted in Chenai but again luckly she is not from TN.
Too good book, thanks Chetan for making India to read like never before.
-Mahavir
this is really cool story every part of this story is best.starting part of frendsgip with ananya was fantabulous.
i m in delhi last 9 years and all the places was well known by me. i rear all the novels of chetan bhagat.
hi, chetan.I read all your 4 books.but I found 2 states very intresting after five point someone.All 4 r excellent.but I personally like 2 states very very very much.I felt how much u did struggle 4 marriage so, i finished that in only 2 days even though I m working still.
God bless You n your family..
Hi thr!!!!!!
Well a few of u maybe right, but everybody who is expressing their disregard towards CB shud not really make a fuss of it, it is just a book folks………..
ya sometimes we identify ourselves and our communities also play a part or two, but better to stay off any conflicts……
What i feel personally is this book makes u feel relaxed, gives u a reason to smile many times, and moreover………
The father-son sequence really touched ma heart……………
and wen he got that nervous breakdown and started generalizing Ananya…………which was not right, but we guys really do it often, which never solves our problem, see this book teaches u a lesson or two………..
Good book, jus read, dont make issues, since request to all…………
For all readers,open this book with an open mind,leave aside whether u r a North Indian/Tamilian. For a person unaware of the cultures in a new city, this book clearly exemplifies his life as the protoganist himself cries over to his mother over the phone-“Ma I am already living in a strange-unfriendly city-pls don hurt me further by not talking to me”. Or the intense emotions replaced by subtle ones ,describing the father-son relationship. Wat cud hav otherwise becum a melodrama has been nicely handled,thanks to chetan’s nuance of writing style.Nothing z literary-this is plain english targeting all Indians.Social issues like dowry,caste system,inter caste marriages hav been tackled in a single cover and all stereotypes removed. He has balanced the + and – in both communities in a just manner. Do not pre judge b4 u start reading the novel.I am a tamilian myself and cud well understand the emotions when I was humiliated several ocassions in Delhi without knowing Hindi. Come on now i m luving the same city which I began to hate earlier ,I can speak broken hindi better than wat i was b4 5 yrs..same z the case 4 the protoganist here in chennai. Chetan has bravely handled complex issues like pre marital sex and corporate work cultures in his diligent own way that u really hav nothing to complain. Though this is not the best of his works, 2 states is def an abov avg one,hope it turns out in to a Bollywood movie, meanwhile I m waiting 4 3 idiots!! DOIN MISS IT
I never liked to read nobels. I heard about Chetan Bhagat´s Nobels too much. A day I was travelling by Delhi Metro. And I purchased the latest Nobel of Chetan Bhagat “2 States”. Once I started with 1 Page, I did not stop till the end. There were some funny incidents, which i enjoyed soooo much. I will give this Nobel (*****).
we all know hw gud chetan is whn it comes to writng entertainers,i read some ppl rating it 2 or 2.5..whch is jz not justified…i’min dese sort of story themes are very mch predictable,bt d thng is how wel do u entertain…2states was fabulous n vry intrstng…jz bcz v have seen sch hindi movies,dsnt mean ppl cnt enjoy readng dis one….
i’l giv it 3.5/5
it may not be as gud as 5.sm1,bt still u mst read 2 states nd witness chetan’s humurous ride of storytelling yet again….
its nice love story. quite interesting story. i like krish charater as compare to anaya s. but both was nice. i want to ask that is ti ur really stry? if yes then u r great. i must say u really nice lover and husband.
I think it is worth a read and a writer like Chetan who expect a change in Indian Society need to be appriciated.
my vote is to him
I think it is worth a read and a writer like Chetan who expect a change in Indian Society need to be appreciated.
my vote is to him
chetan sir i am a big fan of urs ………….
i just fantasize when i read ur books
i used to abhor books and especially the novelssssssssss
but when i started reading urs ,i just started to love themmmmmmm
i am dolly from nagpur a sixteen years girl anddddd
and i love ur booksssssss
i guess ur life is amazingggggggg
and especiallyy
five point someone
u all three rocked ur life
and i would like to read more and more storiessssss of your life
k then for now
i will say byeeeeeeeeee
i really loved chetans five pointand three mistakes….both have the right masala story and the youth also relates to the stories as it is written very realistically.When i started reading this book i felt it dint grip me as the earlier books but when i kept reading it gave me a sense that what if you really read thisas a real story u would relate more. it was a simple story but how often does all these things happen!!! we never realize how difficult it is for 2 ppl to manage the soceity and still get married without doing stuffs like eloping…..so it had less masala and still conveyed alot subtly…..and i am a tamil brahmin myself and i totaly agree with all the points chetan has listed out about the community if u carefully see he has also appreciated the tamil culture for its positives as well as mocked at it…which was not at all exaggerated ..it really happens as described in the book…..great wrk chetan it takes more pain to make something simple…..and subtle…than going the extravagant way…..one thing i would like to add is he really describes the girls in his book in a similar fashion iam sure all the feminine characters had the same personality so i guess he has put a loty abt his wife in all his books …..may be he hadnt planned that time to write this one!!!!
poonam din get u
Some interesting observations here…some thoughtful and some honest ones too…particularly by Arun, Tejal and Poonam.
If i were CB and i want my books to sell like anything, i would incorporate something which would make them an instant success(in the Indian context).
-Bollywood
-Cricket
-Youth
-Gossip
-Flings
-Mannerisms
(This is striking a chord)
Now pick a language which is easy to understand.
(Increasing readership)
Market the product.
(Keeping the possible option of Bollywood open, just in case)
For all those who have come down heavily on him for lack of writing skills, predictability etc, the above is what i think, must be his strategy.
So you see, he is actually a perfect businessman and i think there’s nothing wrong with that as long as he is successful.
As for his books, i couldn’t agree less with Devesh.
5.sum1 has been the best of the lot. Looking forward to reading the new book.
ohhh…….yup as usual d book was damn interesting n realistic….l=just luved it 2 d core……
nothing new in this book…..its jus a sorta cocktail of all his previous books….the story somehow isnt as ineresting as his fps or one night..prolly he’ll hev to start thinking something hatke from his basic story line
neway i liked d book.its similar to my love story.i m a punjabi girl & my boyfriend is southie.v love each other a lot & want it to turn into love marriage.chetan’s emotions exactly similar 2 our emotions.how much he love ananya & his parents too.he wants evrybody to b happy & b on their sides.whn he lost his love he turned into a workoholic & very depressed.hw punjabis thought abt southies,like, dark skin,less bravery etc which i hate a lot.people of different states or castes alwaz feel proud of their respective communities but never realise tht v all r indians.even in 21 century v hve 2 fight with our parents to get married to the 1 v love,in this era whn v r immensely educated, with much firmer & better future,with best job oppurtunities in our hands.after all tht parents say u r nt big enough to take ur life (marriage) decisions.whn they can free us 2 take our academic decisions why nt marriage.maybe in his book vocab is not heavy & ending is also predictable but its a book for an averagely educated indians who lives in small cities & towns and ofcourse,who does not want to b happy at d end.y lovers r alwaz expected 2 die or separated at d end of the story.
i liked his book & all those social stigmas he rose in it is quite praisable.
WE ALL BELONG TO THE STATE CALLED INDIA.
keep up d gud work Mr.Chetan Bhagat.
… … its not a kind of ‘READ TILL THE END’ book…
,
,,
its just …” READ IF U HAVE ENOUGH SPARE TIME..”’ ///
.
.
UN EXPECTED…!!! .
.
Y the author penned down the screen play of an old tamil movie..??
Hi,
Leave alone the story of a punjabi boy getting married to a tamil iyer girl. Even for a tamil iyer boy to get married to a tamil iyer girl, if theirs is a love marriage, poses great challenges. I have gone throught the pain 27 years back. Each moment of his 2 States was thorughly enjoyable and his observation of a different culture is just too good. A great book indeed.
he is a good writer , i have no doubt in it.
Hi Just purchased the book, let me finish it then I will give you my opinion : )
This book is really entertaining and keeps our eyes glued till the very end. Chetan Bhagat has presented a very simple concept in a beautiful way. It has all the basic elements like suspense, humour, romance and I feel Chetan Bhagat has achieved his ambition of becoming the most loved writer.
Download the Book from here
http://zbook.zolute.com/index.php?/topic/3617-2-states-by-chetan-bhagat/
hii,,,
i have nt evn read his single book.bt seen people readin ard me.
someone tell….IIM,IIT can b said kinda sucessful guy,,
people read in search of gud story or jst bcoz someone 4m iit or iim has writen..
i belive its nt CB which sell like hotcakes as mentioned in many posts but its iim n iit.
he is nt writer but tru bussiness man..
n perfect in his bussiness…
i read the book twice and the thing which got me hooked to the book is how badly krish wants ananya.usually in todays times lovers get tired of all the problems so much that they are ready to give it up half way.It brings hope to me as i beleive there are still men in this world who beleive in love and try hard to win it 🙂
I don’t regret reading the book. There were few humerous dialogues where i couldn’t stop laughing. However i was expecting some more drama towards the end. Over all, a simple , straight-forward and typical Indian love marriage stuffs.
“3 mistakes of my life” stays my favourite.
yes mann, wy to care that from which family the person is if u love him/her so much.At last love is so precious n mre dan cast conflict.
At last i would also lyk 2 say u cannot even ignore ur family becoz dey also love u n hopefully mre dan d person 4 whm u go against ur family
the book is ok a typical chetan bhagat novel it should be read only once but a must read as u come 2 know many differences in our culture
I really donno y ppl fall 4 a too much ordinary writer like chethan.All his books contain unnecessary lovemakings and weak executions.No specials.They are far too ordinary,predictable,common n filmy.
hello guyes!!!!
chetan bhagat is a revolutionary coz he makes new generation to read otherwise entire generation bogged down in tv and film.
i have read all his novels but two stated is best after fivepoint someone.’in each and every family in south indian continent have emotional black mailer mother and egotist father both impose thir wish into children and this will block happyness of child’ this critical issuse chetan have raised in book, so i thank him for it.
Just read “2 states”. Liked it and found it close the reality. Even though my marriage was an arranged one – in fact, my consent was asked but there was only one “radio” on form, and I couldn’t say no 😉 – still the story was so gripping I felt very close to the story.
There were certain aspects, which I found very difficult to accept right from the beginning, e.g. Ananya being so open and frank (that too coming from a very conservative TamBrahm family), and Krish’s mother being so rude most of the times (Punjabis are generally outspoken, but I think Chetan has overdone it, perhaps to prove his point!)…
However, some of the pages are extremely funny, e.g. Something, somthing, Punjabis something illa, something, not educated something (in Tamil) – even though this has been repeated several times, I liked this style.
Overall, I think if this is a real story behind Chetan’s marriage, he is a brave man!
Hieeee……
I think this book is not that much of so so….. I tink its good n chetan bhagat’s all books r very good n who love 2 read d novels , must read all d books coz their’s always somthg new behind his books….
Ths book is very nice… must read atleast till d end..
only book i used to read with lots and lots of fun is cb’s.
chethan i quited my banking career one year bak since i hated selling toxic wastes.. now started my own firm ..reading ur book was indeed inspirational as robin sharma’s ……
take care buddy
I wish to express my grief, or its happiness, I don’t know. Its seems as if I have won a war, or it is like I still have to climb a Himalaya yet. Im so sad to say that I began “2 states” around four weeks ago, and I have only managed to finish the first act. It was Horrible as if a nightmare for a reader. Thanks God I have no intentions of checking over my guts to read this Novel, and decided to dump it.
But I would Like to add, his first Novel was truly a nice read, not talking about the writing style or the grammar, but it has something that catches the interest of a reader.
And then, I was utterly disappointed by his second novel. The story was over stretched, I believe. And his third novel was really disappointing too, but I appreciate the research work of the book, the way Mr. Baghat has linked up the natural calamities to Incidental happenings and Events, that was pretty good, but base of the story, “Three Mistakes” truly upset me.
And lastly, I find the fourth novel truly boring and sticking Bollywood style story that has been repeating since ages, “the boy loves the girl and the girl loves the boy, and the family and the problems.”
I’m sorry to say, but this was a truly boring subject and over repeated. So maybe that made the book boring.
Note: I’m not a critique that I address my views to the general public. Please consider these are my sole thoughts. Im a reader, so Im expressing my views to the best.
I wish to express my grief, or its happiness, I don’t know. Its seems as if I have won a war, or it is like I still have to climb a Himalaya yet. Im so sad to say that I began “2 states” around four weeks ago, and I have only managed to finish the first act. It was Horrible as if a nightmare for a reader. Thanks God I have no intentions of checking over my guts to read this Novel, and decided to dump it.
But I would Like to add, his first Novel was truly a nice read, not talking about the writing style or the grammar, but it has something that catches the interest of a reader.
And then, I was utterly disappointed by his second novel. The story was over stretched, I believe. And his third novel was really disappointing too, but I appreciate the research work of the book, the way Mr. Baghat has linked up the natural calamities to Incidental happenings and Events, that was pretty good, but base of the story, “Three Mistakes” truly upset me.
And lastly, I find the fourth novel truly boring and sticking Bollywood style story that has been repeating since ages, “the boy loves the girl and the girl loves the boy, and the family and the problems.”
I’m sorry to say, but this was a truly boring subject and over repeated. So maybe that made the book boring.
Note: I’m not a critique that I address my views to the general public. Please consider these are my sole thoughts. Im a reader, so Im expressing my views to my best.
The greatest quality of Chetan Bhagat can be attributed to the fact that he make the non readers into ardent readers with his simple plot and lucid languages. I am one of the example. Have read all three of his books I MUST SAY HE IS A MAGICIAN. KEEP IT UP MR. COMMON(CHETAN)BHAGAT. RGDS
Absolutely loved the book! I’m a tam bram. iyer girl married to a punjabi and I could totally relate to all the characters, Ananya and Krish 🙂 I met my husband at grad school and its 3 yrs of our lives. Maybe its that that makes this book so special! I can relate to Ananya a lot, I;m quite a feminist, confident over my personal success, I eat meat and drink. A lot of my cousins do and my husband too is blissfully unaware of any flaws in his tradition like dowry, 😉 he has some creative justifications for it which we laugh about, he loves his family and we accept them as they are. Im not sure if I loved the book because it was an account of 3 yrs of my life or just for the book itself, I think it was definitely both. We wouldnt be having this discussion if the book was so uninteresting I suppose 😉
Read the book just two days ago. Not better than his first work FPS. Some cxomic elements in between, but very predictable and sluggish towards the end.
have you written any book ever
POONAM SHARMA
i want to read that
Why would you ask that? I am curious, this is an unusual comment on my post. 🙂
Hmmm…..Already so many people express their thoughts about the 2 states.
I have read all his novels. First one was a master piece . About two states, I can say “It was good book to read”. Personally I am aware how much it takes to make all people happy in inter-cast marriage.
I still thing end could have been better….but again it’s personal opinion……..NOM
Chetan You Rocks man 🙂
I LOVE THE WAY CHETAN BHAGAT MOVES THE STORY AND I LIKE THE WAY OF COMPARING THINGS…..WHEN I FINISHED READING “TWO STATES” I WAS WILLING TO SEE ANANYA AND KRISH……IT WAS A PLEASANT TO READ IT AND I READ IT SO MANY TIMES……
Sir,i’ve read ur book at least 100 times. Its fabulus &now im also applying ur funda in my real life & sir u became an idol for me….
2-states is the only book of chetan bhagat i have read and according to me i believe it’s hyped. though from the book covers i got the idea he mostly writes about iitians which i believe is done with a purpose of saving research as he, himself was a iitian. the story has a predictable end and he has not put much effort in making it fiction. he wrote partly from his own experience and partly from observing thinks as an average man’s perspective which makes it hackneyed. i don’t want to sound cynical here but just disappointed that it was the first book of CB i read and i expected more.
guys wat i wanna say is chetan has achieved his share of success n limelight already coz we here are talking bout him n his body of work..no matter either appreciating or criticizing them..atleast he has created the buzz..n tat too is not bad at all..he his a well known name..u wont agree this if only u are some some godzillian theory believer which says”SIZE DOES MATTER”…also wat i feel some guys out there must have been inspired too thinking if this guy can why cant i..one dont need too be a literary genius to word his thoughts all wat is required is passion for giving the words to ur thoughts..tats wat i believe…u may differ n i have no complains bout tat
guys wat i wanna say is chetan has achieved his share of success n limelight already coz we here are talking bout him n his body of work..no matter either appreciating or criticizing them..atleast he has created the buzz..n tat too is not bad at all..he is a well known name..u wont agree this if only u are some some godzillian theory believer which says”SIZE DOES MATTER”…also wat i feel some guys out there must have been inspired too thinking if this guy can why cant i..one dont need too be a literary genius to word his thoughts all wat is required is passion for giving the words to ur thoughts..tats wat i believe…u may differ n i have no complains bout tat
The was really interesting everyone must read this so that parents should understand the thinking of coming generation . If aou next generation loves their partner from different state then parents should agree to them
Chetan has done a very great job………..
the book is extremely wonderful
I read this book and found it both silly as well as interesting. Silly because its a typical Chetan Bhagat filmy story, but than you cant blame him that is what he is good at. Interesting because he has worked his best to bring out the essence of an inter caste marriage and situations you may go through especially with relatives and family. All in all an ok read but surely last amongst his works.
H mm..,,dis book is dam interesting n i just love dis book but still
3 mistakes of my lyf is my favorite……..
u rock man chetan give us sme more i likd ya 5.sme 1
i loved ur book after listening to the story by my sister i felt like reading before i used to hate books this is the first time i am reading a book completely
The theme is really fantastic…
yarr it is very touching and loving every one should have this book i say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
lets make a movie out of this its gons be a good 1
its really great………chetan u have done really a great job,…..fantastic
its really great………chetan u have done really a great job,…..fantastic…i have read it several times & i really like it……..the whole story from start 2 end its nice..
& interesting
he is one of my fav novelistss……….lyk 2 read his buks!!!!!
Not a fan of Chetan Bhagat , came across this book at a friend’s place and picked it up for some “timepass”. The cliches and stereotypical references got to me within the first few chapters.I don’t think I want to bother finishing this novel. If there is a north-south love story , it has to be a Punjabi and Tamilian. Because there are only “Punjabis” in north India and only “Tamilians” in south India. Yeah, right !
We have had enough of these Punjabi meets Tamilian bore fests over the ages be it in Bollywood movies, telivision, books , advertisements, you name it. Bhagat thinks the readers will lap up yet another version of the stale story. The concept is fine but how about going for some novelty by at least picking one different state for a change ?
No, Chetan , if you think your novel will appeal to all of south India by picking the safest stereotype of a “Tamilian”, you are wrong. Since you will understand Bollywood references better let me give you some. You seem to be still living in the times when a Hemamalini or Sridevi represented a typical South Indian girl in Bollywood. All this “Tamilian Brahmin” girl cliche would have worked well in those times.
But we have moved on, you know ? You must have surely heard of Aishwarya Rai and Deepika Padukone ? They are from a South Indian state too which does not happen to be TamilNadu.
Maybe because Chetan claims this is his real life story, this is the only version he could come up with. But it’s a pity he decided to stick with the cliches. Good for him if this goes on to become another bollywood movie. I ain’t watching it.
De book was k..Nothing special….An usual tamil movie wit happy endig….
hi guy’s i read this now and this is fantastic . my suggestion is that you also read this book once
to blog writer,
the book is perfectly nice. and also well developed and assumed. u told in last paragraph of review of this book that, if lovers were known that they families are from the different background then why they put their heart in someone’s domain? hey dude actually i think i am not believe or i am not satisfied with your conclusion. i have object on parents. actually parents want nothing to be best life for them child. but they also gave him education. and education is nothing but the complete realization of what u actually deserve…!!!!!!!!, so parents wants a perfectly intelligent fools. a person who have real education he never proved to wrong for him or her. if they can not think for future more then parents are there for teach them. so issue is not depends on lovers. but issue is totally depends on parents.
thank you
hi chetan!!!!!!!
i hv never read any other novels xcept urs.
coz i lyk ur ones only
honestly i hate novels its juz boring but i dnt knw y i would lyk 2 read ur next one….
even ma didi’s iz suffering from her lv story lyk urs bt the difference iz community nd religion iz same….still she iz suffering
bt i juz lv 2 read ur novel nd m njoying…… keep it up nd i await ur next one
bt i would kyl 2 tel u one thing that try something new…lyk write smthing abt galzzz…..
coz in ur novel boyz r getting more attention….
hi chetan!!!!!!!
i hv never read any other novels xcept urs.
coz i lyk ur ones only
honestly i hate novels its juz boring but i dnt knw y i would lyk 2 read ur next one….
even ma didi iz suffering from her lv story lyk urs bt the difference iz community nd religion are same….still she iz suffering
bt i juz lv 2 read ur novel nd m njoying…… keep it up nd i await ur next one
bt i would lyk 2 tel u one thing that try something new…lyk write smthing abt galzzz…..
coz in ur novel boyz r getting more attention….
Usually I read the novels during travlling, but since Apr.2010, I started reading regularly nd its fun. I spent lot of night shift while reading d novels. The first book i read was “The wings of fire” by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
Hi,
The story is gud…best of luck for ur future projest (?).
awesome book that i have ever read
fantastic ………..its wonderful…..i lyk it………….
i must appreciate how well chetan bhagat has written this story. Krish and ananya both seemed to be from a well to do family but due to some circumstances they couldn’t convince their parents and the story continues….. with issues of krish’s father and other relatives all interfering in his life , telling him to better marry a Punjabi girl rather than a tamilian Brahmin and vice versa ..The story is a fabulous one And IS WORTH READING!!!!!
usually buks written by chetan bhagat r jst fantastic and has lots of twist n turns………1st of all i hate novels bt 1ce i came across dis novel i realized y people go crazy fo readng nopvels…
bu i m sure
no 1 can ever rite a buk his ur style,
and overall u r d bst writer.
Hi, thanks for this book review.
I also read about this book on BookChums and was impressed. I found the book reviews posted by you are original and not paid once. I am going to read this book for sure.
There is yet to be another author who so successfully makes my skin crawl with each of his ‘best-selling’ novels. This book was absolutely repulsive on so many levels, i don’t even know where to start. Whether it be the blatant regionalism the protagonist himself displays from time to time, his comparing carnatic music to ‘someone being strangled very slowly’, his intermittent fist-pumping his hand (three times) in the air or the novel’s cementing of the various regionalistic sterotypes, every page of the book made me want to pull chunks of my own hair out and stuff them down the throat of the smug author for inflicting this horror of a novel on humanity. ‘2 states’ not only fails to make a coherent read, but also manages to cultivate in the unwary reader, a very deep rooted sense of shame for being Indian – a commendable feat, considering what it took our forefathers and miserable governments to instill a little national pride in our systems in the first place.
More astounding still is the reviewer’s profane musings at the end where he wonders why couples from different communities give in to their feelings for each other seeing as it is bound to ruffle some family feathers. I mean, seriously??!! Like religion wasn’t bad enough, now you want us to consider geography while choosing our partners?
I think i’ll just go ahead and jump off a very high cliff now.
Oh and never EVER read this book if you haven’t already. God save us all…
i was very much intrstd while readng n it is so nice 2 read n a superb novel i read in my mean tym thanks 2 bhagath n hats off…..!
the novel is fab…being a strict violater of the caste system,the concept really touched me.i jus love it…itts fab i mean love is blind aftralll….and jus bcause of the family lovers should nvr be seperated
its fabulous yaar keep on doing babe…………………………
please send me full story to me
2 states is the 1st novel which i read it completely as it so interesting to know how d two guys will get marry after conveicing their parents. this story has touch my heart & i read it for the 2 times.
i wish i could ever meet ANANYA or atleast see her photo. if possible i would request chetan bhagat to show me her photo & also her ‘twins’
Excellent story..Same like Lavina , First time in history , I read a book completely n it touched my heart.
hi chetan….
Pls Send Me Full Story..
Aapke Hath Me JAdu He yaar
Hey, chetan, can u send me full story, i want to read it, plzzzz mail me…………
u r too awesome writer……….lolzzzzz
gud nice sweet one….. n a gud thing abt this novel is that they both get married happily in end….
hey it was super awesome mind blowing.your all novels r realy a heart touching.chetan u r great.it is a realistic play
veryu emotional story
Hmmm! It seems interesting to this novel.I had read all the novels of Chetan Bhagat and now only ‘THE 2 STATES’ is left and soon I will read it also.
“Chetan Bhagat is an outstanding observer and a keen writer in including minor and major details”
As far as diction is concerned he employs simple and understandable terminology .
To the practical mirror his imagination might not enough to emote the readers
Two States are diversified in his work but as a writer he must depict similarity of love,family and compassion which binds the world as one.Being good does not mean framing others as bad to be more clear i would say being good means surpassing the goodness of others. All in all i enjoyed reading it but not applying it to the practical society.
hmmmmmmmm wel superb story..and i m undergoing de same experiance.wel i dont think it wil hapen n our real life
after reading this book i felt that he married that girl only because she is beauliful. i read one night @ call centre and 2 states. both the books will force indian boys to love only beautiful girls. so racist
ausum book.frst book i evr read.thnks chetan u r so lucky to save ur life as a histry se ervyone knws ur love stry it wil b histry nw..asum..good langua u sed..im a south indian tis book relat to my life a lot..im gng mad nwadays beein ur fan..superb hats off to u
I`ve read this novel and i think that this is an amazing novel!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is the first novel i`ve ever read because of my holiday home work but i think that it was worth it….. can you people just me some more interesting novels to read………
osssssamest story….!!!
chetan u rocked again….
god bless mann…..:)
i loved dis story. chetan u rock!! i totally agree with ur point of view. Most of d people experience such a day in their life. But hardly very few of dem get their luv as their life partner. To make the family agree is most important n dat to when both the families are from different caste.
i like his style how to bind an audience in his book,one of his best book is five point someone specially for one dialogue”o my hungry tiger just show me your power if i will remove your shirt then you will remove my ,i don’t writ the further word just beep for the word ,bt its great dear”
Mr.Bhagat u’re awesome in the story convincing u’re in-laws…. maybe i too try it in the same…. but thats not so easy to do….
CHETAN BHAGATH ROCKS………….
very nice book!!! keep it up
i too like this story … u win in life as ll as in love and career tooooo
I loved this book (2 states) seriously well…started reading his one night at call center..its of some okay kind of book..i really like his narration in the story about south indian girl and her family…i have stayed in chennai for abt 10 years and it brought back all my memories..i basically like love stories so loved this one…you can read it once..i can rate it 4/5
I just finsihed reading 2 states. All I can say is that I read it in one go without putting in down. It made my weekend. It helps because I’m a Tamil brahmin myself and could relate to many of the customaries highlighted in the book in the most witty manner. Will give 4.5 out 5.
i like it lot …as.this is the true image of the society.
it ofcourse inspires many youngsters as they have similar situations in their own life.i also like the characters in the play as they are beautifully dipicted by chetan.i thank him for writing such a good novel.
well i haven’t read this book but i heard the story from one of my frnz and now i would love to read this book even though i m not interested in reading books
i like this novel…vishal bharadwaj planing to make a flick on this with shahrukh but i think he si too old for this…ranbir kapoor and asin thotukmal are the best choice…chetan u rockss
ya i think ur right
worst work by chetan n simply a waste of time..(not discarding d fact that 5.Som1 and 3 mistakes were just amazing). 2 states is not even comparable with his previous books. if its d story of his marriage why d hell did he made it a fiction, instead he culd have included it in his bio..
but it is also good read it again okkkkk
am a bengali girl married to a tamil guy…this book is so full of cliches gone wrong.
I think,Chetan satirically and sarcastically commented on all the rituals that a girl and boy has to go through a marriage phase.To download this book use this link
http://uploading.com/files/19b945c2/Chetan_Bhagat_-_2_States_The_Story_of_My_Marriage.pdf/,Chetan_Bhagat_-_2_States_The_Story_of_My_Marriage.pdf,838.6 KB,,Nov 12, 2011,
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this book was awesome…. i love reding this book again n again… plzz do write more after revolution 2000 also. love u chetan bhagat
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I m not much happy with the character krish in this novel. He acted much like a coward in this story
AMAZING book!..i luved it! ❤
i am one of your greatest fan.especially i like your novel spots like iim/iit/.please do more write on love…….
i love this the book muje love story muje bahoot achi laghi
nice……….1
ITS TRUE……m passing frm the situation frm where krish nd ananya passed m punjabi nd the guy is south indian ……m waitiii for the parents of the boy to get agree so that i can remove about my luv for south indian boy at home……tday was surfing net nd got to knw abt 2 STATES….definitely i will read now to learn the strategies to make parents agree for our wedding ………..do give suggestions …..its a request on the part of true luv plz pray to god for our marriage………thanxxxx
Hey,wat hapend to neha in the story Five Point Someone?
veri nice
more than anythng in d wrld i guess…imp tng is LOVE if u dnt hav it..ur lyf wil b a true failure…n peopl who reallly end up fallng in luv n cn continue wid their long distance relationship’s lik krish n ananya….dn fo sure they r made for each odr…
i wld lik 2 share ..sumtng…it nt all abt parents n skin color…n blah blah…its abt generation gap tht is brought b/w d parents n children…wen d country itslf is divided in2 28 states n 7 unioun territories….itss possibl for evry1 frm diffrnt states 2 hav diffrnt opinions this is all tht varies…
which parents dnt want their children 2 live a happy life wid a life partnr who’s promisng n loves d odr soooo much…
its jst that they ant us 2 b happy….
im glad krish n ananya tried…
salute 2 them…infact their kids r INDIAN..
NOT TAMILIANS OR PUNJABIS
very nice
hmmm someone wanna gift me this book so i’ve just seen whtz actually she want to share hope i”ll enjoy this book
it is a good stuff one must read it its little boring in btw but ya manages a curiosity to read more
I like Chetan’s books, I’ve read his books n the recent one i read is 2 states…………it was interesting but i didn’t like the way the hero Krish comments about M.S Subbulakshmi’s song. She’s a legend……………….her devotional songs r the best. Please Mr.Bhagat don’t comment bad about legend’s.
2 States is a fantastic book describing vividly the misconception in the minds of elders about the culture and habits of two Communities. Top of the Line book which should inspire our youngsters who are thinking of marriage soon. The speech of Mr. Swami ( Ananya’s father) towards the end sums up everything. A terrific book to ensure National Integration so vital in our context. Particularly fascinating was the description of the pomp and show of Punjabi marriages not to forget their greedy expectations as also the Tamilian marriage rituals. I have read 3 Chetan Bhagat books viz. Revolution 2020 , 2 States and A Night@ Call Centre. This one is the best.
hii i m vartika nd i just love 2 read this story thanks chaten ji for this wonderfull story
2states was really excellnt story…. i lykd it so much ..all chacter was so real….krish n annaya was so coollllllllllll……….luv chetan…………..5/5 stars
i really liked this book as it is
me too it’s an amazing book
read the book it’s awsome novel
really yar its a nice book i fill like …….. but its good one…
nice
Super description
Super description