Sep 12, 2008 06:59 PM
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This is my first ever try at a book review,so people,please hold jold your tongues(just kidding)!
Chetan Bhagat has all of a sudden become a household name beacuse of his massive best seller-'Five Point Someome......What not to do at IIT'.His second book doesn't go anywhere near IITs or IIMs,it in fact focusses on BPOs.We all know what they are,but how many of us have tried taking a closer look at people who work at call centres?I personally used to think that call centre employees have an easy going life,except for the daily fast food & sleep deprived work.Otherwise I thought they didn't have as hectic a lifestyle as doctors,software engineers,lawyers,teachers,the military,etc.In this book,Chetan Bhagat reveals some insight into the much known,but not so known BPOs.
Our own writer is travelling by train from Kanpur to Delhi.At the pitch of night,a pretty girl walks into his compartment & offers to tell him a story under one condition-the author must publish it into his next book.Reluctant at first,he finally agrees & the story takes off.
It's about six people working in the same call centre.The story's narrated through the eyes of Shyam.Shyam's your average 27 year old Indian boy.He's fed up of his work at the call centre since he's got a devil-of-a-boss,Mr.Bakshi.He's got a semi girlfriend called Shefali.But she's semi since his heart really longs for Priyanka who's actually his ex.Varun or Vroom was a journalist cum activist,but had to quit & work at the call centre to keep up with his friends who have a rich lifestyle.Radhika fell in love at college & got married.She used to be daddy's little girl,but is now a tortured daughter-in-law along with a non-supportive husband.Her ego doesn't admit that she made a mistake in choosing her life partner.Esha's a wannabe model who works parttime at the call centre.'Military uncle' is an old man with strict rules who leaves his son's place since he can't get accustomed to the improvised Indian culture.Finally,Priyanka,Shyam's ex girlfriend is your girl-next-door.But her mum keeps attempting to turn her head around so that Priyanka would get settled with the richest man alive in the world.The six people go on with their mundane lives until they get a call from God.
The book may not be as excellent as his first one,but is worth a good read.One gets disappointed in the end,as it's Indian tradition to expect a happy-ever-after ending.But you do come to realise that the ending is practical & that the author is not trying to fool you around.
Not Chetan perfect,but very Chetanish.
