“Why are you wasting your time?”
A colleague asked me when he saw me reading Revolution 2020 – the latest novel by Chetan Bhagat. He probably said that because of my age (I am not as young as many of the fans of the Indian writer) or maybe because he thought I need to spent time reading more ‘serious books’.
I was too much into the novel that I didn’t replied his question well, rather I just ended up asking a dumb question, “do you think so?”
After savoring all the deliciousness that the novel offered, I pondered the question: “Why do I read Chetan Bhagat?” And, I found out that I have a few reasons for reading him.
They are dramatic!
Yes, that’s the prime reason. Chetan Bhagat’s novels are all about drama, something that we are used to experience in Indian movies and soap operas. The incidents are sometime very film-like. Examples from Revolution 2020: The rise of protagonist from a failure to millionaire and the sacrifice of the protagonist in the climax of the story… Wow, that’s too filmy, yet I love them.
They are about youths!
In all Chetan Bhagat’s novels, main characters are young people. And off course with the youths there are ambitions, struggles, and most importantly the love affairs, with references to sex here and there. Revolution 2020 is all about ambition of youths to be something, their struggles and off course, the love triangle.
They are witty!
Most important part of Chetan Bhagat’s writing is that he is capable of inserting wit here and there in a way they just fits the situation and referring not to big philosophy but rather everyday thoughts. Those witty sentences come mostly referring to the nature of girls, on what they say or what we experience and fee every day.
They got good message
The big thing that sets Chetan Bhagat apart from many other pulp fiction writers is that within all the pulpiness, there are good messages and truths. His fictions not only entertain but also ask you to be good in one or other way; and to do something for the society.
And, finally my ranking of his books (best to good): 2 States, Five Point Someone, Revolution 2020, One Night at Call Center & The 3 Mistakes of My Life.
Do you have some other reasons to read Chetan Bhagat?
