Anything that Chetan Bhagat says or writes attracts attention; as arguably India's best known author it rightly should. Following his self appointed rule of including numbers in the titles of his books (at least the fiction: Five Point Someone (2004), One Night @ the Call Center (2005), The 3 Mistakes of My Life (2008), 2 States (2009), Revolution 2020 (2011) and Half Girlfriend (2014)) his latest offering is called One Indian girl. The man New York Times called "the biggest selling English language novelist in India’s history" is here to entertain and regale urban India with this latest offering (scroll down for the teaser...yes this book has a teaser)
This book is told entirely in the female voice. Some approved (about time they said) others, not so much.
The book speaks to our patriarchal mindset where a successful woman, one who earns a lot and has had a few relationships is looked upon as problematic and finds it difficult to find significant other. The book seems to want to draw attention to the fact that men of course are viewed out of a completely different prism.
Men and women have both enjoyed the book; several readers saying that they finished the book in one sitting. Many women thought that the book is actually talking about and to them. Of course, many readers missed the point completely (the one star reader reviews at Amazon are a case in point)
It wasn’t just these reader tweets, there were several publications that spoke well of the book.
Since this is the author's first foray into a feminist narrative about a modern Indian girl, he interviewed about a hundred girls to know their strengths and pains. Apparently he also got a pedicure and got himself waxed to better comprehend the trials and tribulations of being a woman. Many women of course were less than impressed. Reactions to his 'research' were far less favourable.
The actor was present at the book launch, fuelling speculation about the possibility of a movie based on the book starring her.
Bhagat has certainly picked up a thing or two from his Bollywood stint. Not many think to announce their book via a teaser.
Its available online (Rs 105 for the Kindle edition and Rs 111 for the paperback on Amazon and Snapdeal) and many sellers offer to deliver tomorrow.
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