I have read all 3 books of Chetan Bhagat. The simplicity with which he describes the complex situations is just amazing. I had become a fan of Chetan Bhagat after reading his first book – Five Point Someone. Though I never made it to any of the IITs, (well let alone any of the engineering colleges J) I was an IIT aspirant (feels good to say that) and did attend an IIT academy during my 11th and 12th. So there’s some connection there, you see. And of course the college life connection which everyone who attended college can relate to. With these and many more reasons, 5 point someone became one of my favorite books.
The second book, One Night @ The Call Center, happened when I was in a train one night, going from Chennai to Bombay. I was already depressed – my first ever visa application to the UK had got rejected. I don’t know why but I always wanted go around and see the whole of Europe right from my childhood. Well, this 2nd book gave me good company all the way through Bombay, switching off lights only when the co-passengers got irritated with them.
A few weeks ago, I met a few of my old pals at a bookstore. One of them suggested the 3rd mistake!!! Oops!! The 3 mistakes of my life, the third book by Chetan Bhagat. I had loved reading the first two books. I finished this one too pretty fast. Considering the lousy reading speed I have, this one indeed was quick, say a week J. This book throws light on various aspects, some real and some imaginary (the typical Bollywood masala type), some of them being the India-Australia test series of 2002, or is it 2001?
The amazing victory over the Aussies, the Godhra Incident, a love story, protocols (one of the greatest or most sensitive protocols that no Indian guy should break – that of not eyeing on your friend’s sister – never attract or get attracted your friend’s sister, especially if its your best friend and all the more if he is stronger and more muscular and more moody and more powerful (and more…well the list goes on), etc. Well some protocols we Indians have to maintain. I completely agree to this protocol, although I personally believe in ‘No Rules’. Even then it’s safer to stay out of such obvious troubles. And yes, the book also talks about the different mistakes the friends make which cost them dearly, circumstantial prices they had to pay at various points in life.
The best part I liked about this book is the way the author describes different passions people have, in fact completely different ones among the best of friends. One of the three friends is passionate about business; the second one is passionate about religion and third one about cricket.
The author also depicts to what extent people stretch themselves in order to achieve/realise their dreams. I say hopes arise from dreams and realization happens only if one is passionate about the whole deal.
On the whole I loved this book and would recommend anyone/everyone to read it. For at least the beginners like me, it’s definitely a great book to get started with.
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