HALF GIRLFRIEND: SENSATION OR HYPE
Another hit novel from the writer who thinks he knows “What
Young India Wants.” This book has been in lots of controversies right from its
release on 1st October, 2014. Accusations ranging from plagiarism to
defaming of a royal family have been leveled against Mr. Chetan Bhagat, the
author. I care less about them though. Those issues can be addressed by the
concerned people.
Chetan has belted out five bestsellers before this and
claims to be voice of new India. India, which speaks ‘simple’ English, lives in
the village and understands only candy floss love. He had started well, writing
his heart in his previous books, tried to bring out to notice the various vices
plaguing our society. His vision was set. He wanted to bring a revolution and thus,
declared a war on all bombastic users of English.
All very fine, he was going well. But, somewhere in between
he lost track. He started feeling Indians were no good and only liked and understood
cheap Bollywood flicks. His recent successes blinded him. His vision was lost;
he tried hard to find issues to address. Finding few, he reverted back to
Bollywood movies.
This, ‘Half Girlfriend’ is by far his worst creation till
date. He hardly seems the writer who wrote “2 States” or “Five Point Someone”.
He is just another Ravinder Singh or Devadutt who is after raking moolah after
belting out nonsenses. Mr. Bhagat showed promise but he has lost it now.
His English is simple. Agreed and appreciated, but does this
means he will write nonsense. Simple never means cheap. Sophisticated and good
books can be written in simple English. Read some Ruskin Bond, Mr. Bhagat.
Chetan Bhagat is just writing a script for some Bollywood flick, it seems. He
has stopped writing for his readers long back.
Most of the book is pathetic. But the worst is lefty for the
climax. I have never seen or heard anyone writing journals the way he depicted.
Riya, the female lead, writes a journal and leaves it for others to find. Writing
journals in direct speech is definitely an issue with me. We don’t speak to
ourselves this way. We just write our views in first person, I guess. And what
was the drama at the end, you have lost it, man, really.
Anyone who has a few hours to spare and has nothing better
to do can go through his book. I love romances, love stories, but this one from
him is several notches below his all other works.
