One Indian Girl

No words wow.During reading I feel some were in the script.Interesting it doesn't let me move aside till I complete.

CHETAN BHAGAT- A name that urged Indians to read more than a decade ago. I started reading novels after knowing about the humorous contents his books has. And after that I make sure that I read his books the first day after its release before someone else starts giving the review. Generally people believe in giving negative reviews to his book to prove themselves intellectual, literati or whatever! The last book that made me feel that it's the Chetan Bhagat I know was 2 States. Revolution 20-20 and Half Girlfriend couldn't impress me because I felt that I was reading a movie script than a fiction novel. This time he has come up with a book in female voice named "One Indian Girl". I was doubtful about this one too as I believed that it would be too feminist to digest. But fortunately, I am enough impressed with the story and felt that I read a book written by one of my favorite authors.The story is about a girl who is quite feminist and does not believe in getting pulled down by her parents or anyone just because she is a girl. She makes it sure that she does things which she feels is right without worrying about anyone else. She also have to hear about how she is doing things which are okay with boys but she shouldn't do it being a girl. But she is what not many girls in India are. She has a great job out of India. She earns what 10 average men cannot earn collectively in India. She has more than one relationship which is not digestible in Indian culture. And story of such courageous and successful Indian girl makes this book a phenomenal read.Chetan Bhagat have not tried to preach much feminism which is the plus point of the book. The story is very well handled right from the prologue. As is the case with many stories, even this one gets better when the story goes back in flashback. The characterization by CB is spot-on once again. The character of Radhika is very well crafted and the writing style of CB does not allow you to think that its not been written by a girl. Yes, I agree that few sentences are provocative as they are kind of general statements which not many girls would think while being intimate with someone or dressing themselves for a party. And I am pretty sure that CB-haters are going to pick up these sentences against him to pull this book down which has already broken Pre-ordering record on Amazon.The book has not been stretched anywhere. The second flashback is not as good as the first one and it has a reason because the affair is with a person of another class itself. The climax is little filmy but has an appropriate ending. I was little unsure about what decision will the girl take in the end but the feminist point is well handled in the end and the final decision of the girl only makes you smile in the end of the book. Talking about the drawbacks I would say that too much insight of the protagonist's job has been discussed which becomes irritating after a point of time. As I said above, at few places, CB has not justified a girl's point of view correctly which looks quite fake and attention-seeking. Also, the humour is again missing just like the last two books for which CB has become popular. Overall, I give this book 3.75* out of 5. It can surely be read once.Thanks.ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

So let me give a briefing.This book is about a woman in her late 20s who's marriage is supposed to be in a week. Radhika Mehta is the 27 year old woman who works in Goldman Sachs,an investment bank and not only that she's the VP of the Distressed Debt Group, she happens to be a topper of her school and also the board examination. Like the brilliant minds of her age she joins SRCC college of Delhi University and after that she finishes her MBA from IIMA. Well, if you read the beginning thoroughly she'll appear to be one of those women who are in full control of their lives. But then, on the week of her wedding she starts receiving text messages from her ex-boyfriend, Debashis Sen who is basically a hypocrite Bengali douchebag who was previously too jelous of her success and her higher salary and he uses the term "baby" too often throughout this novel. I will be honest while I write this. I found the beginning extremely annoying and had difficulty reading through the pages because it didn't meet my expectations nor my logic as the protagonist, Radhika claims to be a feminist who happens to be an achiever both academically and carrier wise but she seemed too confused whether or not to say a stern "no" to her ex-boyfriend and prevent him from flying all the way to Goa from New York. Part of what happened between these two is seen when Radhika starts getting flashbacks of her past.And there is more twists to the story as after a painful breakup with her first boyfriend and the "only man who had loved her" she is found to desperately change her working location as she takes a transfer from NY to Hong Kong.For a woman who is such an achiever like her, she claims that she had never been loved by any man and never been appreciated by her mother, who happens to demean her career and her skin colour too often. Now, in Hong Kong she meets extremely talented Neel Gupta, a man who is 20years older than her and she eventually ends up having a complicated relationship with him as well. Again, after getting her heart broken by another man who fails to understand her, she is seen to transfer to an office in London. Then after spending a few days in London and after being pushed by her mother into choosing a groom she finally settles for one, named Brijesh Gulati. They go out on a date and there comes a ‘the point’ in the book where we actually get to see how confused the author is about Feminism. Actually Radhika is a self-proclaimed Feminist having too little knowledge on Feminism. Else no one could have so easily discarded a 300year old movement.THINGS I LIKED ---1. The patriarchal paradigm which is seen from the way how Debashish, Radhika's first boyfriend reacts when he gets to know that his girlfriend's gross income was 3times his and how he is always seen upset every time Radhika succeeds. It is true, many of us can relate to it. I won't say all but most men react in this way. This is well expressed in this book. It shows us the hypocrisy that prevails in our society when a man accepts his respect for feminists and women who do everything to achieve their dreams but how this same man doesn't want to marry a woman like this but settle with a more domestic (submissive) type of woman.2. How a girl's talent is repeatedly demeaned by her mother who keeps expressing her worries that how her daughter will never find a man cause she earned so much and cause she travelled throughout the world so much.3.This book hits hard on the fact that how women are made to chose between her career and a domestic life where as men do not have to make any such choices.So I request people to read it with an open mind.If you decide you won't like the book from the very begin then there is no way you are going to find anything good about it. I encourage you to read this though it may be a cliché. Radhika's character is very complicated to understand in one go. She appears to be a pervert at some point, wise at some other point and totally lacking self-esteem at other points .But people like her do exist and men shouldn't make a girl chose, ever. A man should accept a girl for what she is and also respect the truth she brings along with her. A girl shouldn't have to hide her salaries just not to please her bf or husbands. A hard-working girl shouldn't be assumed to lack a maternal side. That is what we girls want. Let's say to quote Brijesh's words " ...you,or for that matter,any girl, doesn't need a man to define her. You need a man to support, inspire... understand you. Help you be the best person you can be, banker, mother, both whatever." It is totally upto the author to decide how he should build up his protagonist. THE ONLY THING I DIDN'T LIKE IS THAT THIS IS NOT A BOOK ON FEMINISM AND Radhika is just AN INDIAN GIRL WHO IS INDEPENDENT AND who earned a lot of money. The narration is a mix of the past and the present.But what bothered me most is Radhika's claim of being a feminist.She isn't a feminist although she claims to one because -1.She is seen to have very low self-esteem.2. She needs external validation from her male counterparts to feel good about her achievements.3.She keeps comparing her appearance to other women throughout the book.4.Basically, she doesn't love herself enough to feel good about herself.5.She herself doesn't want to be judged by appearance though she herself is found to reject her grooms based on their physical appearances.So, I'd rate a 3 out of 5

This book gives you the value of all women through out the world...the story was more interesting and inspiring... totally amazing ...

I could relate to the her on various planes and the relationship dramas we get pulled into beyond our control pleasantly surprised since this seems to a new angle for the author would love to read more such works if this would be the theme . Much love

A nice easy read with a few interesting turns and twists. Worth reading if you want some inspiration and escapism.

A sweet romance with great rhythm. Easy reading and brings serious reflections about modern young women ‘s dilemas! Romantic but realistic

Bouno

Beautifully written ,, i felt like i have found a part of me in Radhika,,,the confusions ,,the mess ,,,the feelings ,,,the heartbreak she goes through,,,and specially the mini me,im sure all the women have their mini me... I luv this boook ,,,