First of all let me clarify that this is not a song similar to “Why this Kolaveri Di” It’s a genuine question :):)
I have been reading chetan_bhagat‘s books and I like it, it may not be intellectual stuff but it’s a good, funny and a casual read! What is the fuss all about? If you don’t like what he writes, DON’T read. Is it to difficult? So many writers in in India today and you can read whatever you want, right?
All I can tell you that I feel his writing is an eye opener for average Indians who never thought they will ever read a book, ever in their lifetime. Even if a few Indians pick up this habit then it’s a wonderful thing. The story is a average masala story..but then that’s what fiction is supposed to be, right?
I read 5 fiction books in November 2011 and none came close to how well he wrote Revolution 20-20…or even 2 States for that matter!!
He writes editorial on Times of India also and many times than not, he makes sense! Read his thoughts on FDI in retail sector here – 3rd Dec 2011.
Excerpt from this article –
free-for-all right now. However, if and when some sense prevails, three
suggestions may deserve some thought. One, do your homework first – the
Lokpal Bill and many other Bills are stuck. Clear them. Walmart can wait
a few weeks. A corruption-free India is more important than a
supersaver offer on T-shirts. Two, Parliament should adopt a resolution,
that the hours lost due to adjournment have to be covered up within a
session – through overtime, working weekends or extending the session
dates. Three, the government, with humility, should involve everyone in
Parliament to get a general policy consensus on FDI, not just for
retail, but all sectors, across all industries.
Very clearly, parliament should focus on much more important aspects like the passing of the lokpal bill, making judiciary faster, HANGING KASAB rather than discussing FDI in retail. It’s all to ensure that politicians get the gala time to shout, disrupt and enjoy jalebi and orange juice when the house gets adjourned!
Shame.
Anyways, everyone has the right to give her/his opinion.
If you have one, speak up.
So I don't hate Chetan Bhagat, I just don't like my friends, many of whom have never read books outside of school, starting out in fiction with his writing. There are a lot of better books out there; here, I truly believe there's a bias towards his writing, because a) he's indian b) he writes about IIT, which most of my friends are either in or wish they were in. It's not that his writing is that good–after spending a good portion of my life reading all sorts of books, good and bad, I can tell. And that's why it irritates me. Because people sometimes view his books as a beginning and an end to fiction. When it's mediocrity at it's best.
And I'm not being snobbish and saying that western writers are better–but there's just so much of it that you're bound to find something truly brilliant once in a while.
I'm a writer–not a terribly good one, but I live to write. And maybe one day I'll write a book I'm proud of. That is my goal in life. Not to write a book that everyone reads, but that satisfies the yearning in my soul to write well. What Chetan Bhagat has done, after Five Point Someone, is realise that he's hit upon a winning formula and tried to milk it for all it's worth. Maybe he had just that one story in him. Some people do. But that's no excuse for reusing it again and again and depending on all the first time readers out there to hide the fact.
wow..thank you so much for expressing your opinion here. I kind of agree with your view points and thoughts. Nevertheless he is who he is 🙂 instead, I wish you all the luck and wishes for becoming a super author one day!