I hope that after posting this particular review I don't have to bear the wrath of the author and the readers ( some of them who've gone to claim that this is 'the best by an Indian author so far'). Sorry to burst the bubble, but this book is downright terrible. Not to sound desperate in the-i-beg-to-differ way, but I can rightfully say so after having read quite a lot of books- some good, some bad. But this just doesn't fall into any of the above mentioned categories.
With all due respect to the author, I know how difficult writing can be, but this is just a lame excuse for a book. I'm sure that books like this actually have takers, so I can't really complain. But I at least don't want to read gazillion other books that are wannabe Chetan Bhagats.Its all because of this man. Though I did like his five point someone, but then everything he has written after that has a 'I want to be made into a film' sticker on it and this book to say the least tries very hard to do the same. So much for New Indian writing (though I don't want to generalise).
Reading the blurb, you know that its the same old story where a mother is after her daughter's life to get married and settle down and all that jazz. You hope that it'll be a nice light read, with lots of humor (cos if you don't have a new story, at least say it well). But then all you get is a juvenile fifteen year old's burn book. And there's no sleaze also (yes, I am a dirty man.). The most funniest bit in the book, if I am say so, is when our protagonist's name gets made fun of by one of the prospective grooms when he breaks into "Kasturi methi, ya degi mirach.." All I could do was croak, instead of laugh out loud.
The book could have really been a witty and wry take on this custom of ours where girls and if may also add guys, have to endure this process of arranged meetings till you find Mr./Ms. right, but this just another diary of self-obsessed person.All the characters read like cardboard cutouts, the author just doesn't seem to have explored anything beyond the most obvious and the story is highly predictable. There's nothing you feel for any of the characters as a reader, heck! even the excruciatingly beautiful leading lady(There!Now I've almost started looking at it as a film.). And to top it all- the glaring grammatical errors-what were the editors at Rupa & Co. doing? Plus they really design bad covers.
I hope that something better comes from the author the next time, in case this is not just a fad that all business school graduates seem to have caught on to these days.
P.S All the words in bold italics are the authors words, not mine, which I thought were extremely helpful in filling up space and increasing the word count to 500.
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This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!
33 comments:
Are u really talking about The (In) eligible Bachelors by Ruchita Mishra here? Really dnt think so.
I agree with you. Considering that she was using such a cliched subject, Misra could have at least tried to compensate by giving the story some depth. The characters could have been better conceived too...I think I winced the most when "tomboyish" Ananya suddenly starts wearing pink and glittery stuff when she falls in love. Why does she suddenly have to turn into a 'girly' girl? Doesn't her boyfriend love her for who she actually is? I don't think it was the author's intention to do this, but it sends out a clear message that if women want to get and keep a man, they had better act all feminine.
Ahh the ineligible Bachelors haters have teamed up i guess!u and arvind! ha ha..lols! The author must be boilin readin both the reviews;)
But the bestsellin author must be too busy sorting out her film offers(as the news papers have reported)
But come on guys dont u think u r bein too harsh on the new author?? Had started reading the book , though couldn finish it as my sister snatched away the book. I loved the mother daughter interactions. Really cant say much about the ending as i have not read it but the rest seemed to be nice humorous easy read. And the blurb dosent promise any thing more than that.
@Suchitra Yes I'm talking about the same book. I think I'm entitled to hate it.
@Congenitallydisturbed True, now that you've read more into it, I want to go back and read and add more to it. but I think I'll have to refrain, cos i dont have the patience to endure it. again.
@rakesh I don't think the author must be bothered by our reviews, cos "the best book ever" outnumber our hate posts. She could have just written a film for that matter. And i think now there is just somuch junk being produced in the name of Indian literature, that we readers have to HAVE TO voice our opinions. If this is literature, then I wonder what Alice in wonderland is.
and no i haven't written this to seek attention.
You cant expect all books to be a Alice in wonderland.
What i intend to point out is that rubbishing some one's hard work like this is something that i dnt understand.Being critical and cynical is good to an extent but the way this review has come out i have started doubting my sensibilities. Because i too have read the book..although not whole of it!
All said and done every one is entitled to their opinion.
But i would have preferred a more unbiased review!
@rakesh I completely agree. I'm not rubbishing the work, because I really know how difficult it is to write and to have actually come so far and get yourself published, that's like a huge achievement. But i think that comes with all the brickbats also. I mean you're done with it- now people either love it or hate it. I'm not in anyway demeaning the author, its only the piece of work i'm talking about.
and i think they as authors (read Chetan Bhagat. Unless this one also doesn't get stuck in the same rut) should really try to raise the bar and try writing better with every book of theirs. I don't want to read a prospective Bollywood film. Its good to an extent, after that its just tiresome.
Right! But please do read your review once again.Its really sounding as if there is some personal vendetta against the author(plzz i really dnt mean it,its just sounding that way)
You have not pointed out a single good point. Your blog is not about how bad a book is..right?
As readers of your blog and potential readers of the book i would expect more unbiased reviews in the future!So that i can come back to your blog in the future when i plan to buy another book :)
Otherwise u have a very intresting blog. Will defntly keep comin back!
I this a book review????? Or an Author bashing party.
I guess u will smash the authors head if u happen to meet her!
Gotta read this book! Have to find out if there can actually be such a bad book! that too from Rupa's stable.
I Will Be Back!!
@ S Kulkarni No i have nothing against the author. It only about the book, the book and the book only.
This and that,your Blog heading says it all,no need to read further.Wat u are writing here is irrelevant!.I've read 'the ineligible bachelors',and I can vouch that it is one of the best books in this genre in recent times(genre read chic lit).Its a light read and should be read that way.I fail to understand why everything written by an Indian author is compared with Chetan Bhagat's work.He is just an author whose 1st book was good,followed by rubbish to say the least.And Mr. Arvind no author writes a novel keeping in mind a movie out of it,it happens,the movie makers take notice,and that only shows that there is some substance in the story,not false claims.Next time onwards BE KIND,and before having a 'verbal diarrhoea' think twice before typing.P.S. I highly recommend the book The Ineligible Bachelors to the less grumpy people arnd!!
Just finished the book!I really dnt know what u were looking out for when you requested this book.
Askin for a book, getting it for for free, and coming up with such a review. I really shouldn be coming back to this blog for a book review atleast.
I really couldn support the book before because i had not finished it. I was expecting a very terrible ending.But i was in for a pleasant suprise.
Have lost trust in the Blog Adda reviews.
@Rohan Dikshit If you thought what i was writing was irrelevant then why did you bother even leaving a comment? i think all of us have the right to express our views in anyway we want and its not necessary that everyone's views are going to match.
i think everyone has the right to hate/ love a book. I just didn't like it. I think I've read better chick lit on the same lines and they are much more 'fun' and 'witty' that this book claims to be. And to talk about it literally, I don't think the characters had enough depth and even if there was a hint of something, the author just doesn't seem to have explored it. And I think a blog can be used to express your views on the same. And to make it clear once again, I have nothing AT ALL against the author. It's only the book I don't like. and no this is not a case of 'verbal diarrhoea'.
@rakesh the same that you tell me that you don't know what I expected from the book, even i don't know what you expect from the reviews. Because not everyone is going to praise the book sky high.At the same time it doesn't mean that I'm going to trash every book I read. Its unfair to dismiss someone just because you read something that doesn't really concur with your opinions. Truly, I haven't dismissed this author's work as well. I really hope to read another book from her that I'll like.
And yes, I try being KIND and as UNBIASED as possible the next time.
@All:
I think arvind Caulagi has every right to read a book and express his opinions freely. If you wanted an unbiased review, then well, you will never get it. Right from the blurb of the book, everything is biased about any description. The blurb only puts the good stuff out so you'd pick it up and read.
About the genre of chick-lit, I am a huge fan. I read classics and love them as well. Even a chick-lit needs depth of characterization for one to enjoy the flow of it.
From what I read in the review, this book sounds like it lacks it. I have no idea why the rest of you want Arvind Caulagi to be indebted to the author for having got her book for free. Well, the programme is such that you give your creative energies work, while they give you a book. Fair and square.
And people have every right to like or dislike any work. And a blog is a "personal log" for all of you who didn't know.
So in case you want to praise the book sky high, your blogs sure would love some updates!
Also, verbal diarrhoea? Please! I think Arvind Caulagi's writing is far from it.
And in recent times, two Chick Lits if a may call them, Though they don't have the same theme as the ineligible bachelors, but really explore characters that you almost imagine them as living persons- One is Kanika Dhillon's Bombay Duck is a Fish- decently written, with what i could call a Knock off end, though it does follow a lot of cliches. And Jabeen Akhtar's Welcome to Americastan- another really well written book.
@Rohan Dikshit first of all it's 'chick-lit' not'chic-lit'.Chic means stylish.I could send you the wikipedia link if you want.It seems like your vocabulary tells us about the kind of books that you read.Also everyone has the right to give their opinion.
Hey when u publish a book or a blog u should be open to criticism.
When the blogger has outright rubbished the book he shuldn mind if people do it to his blog.
And if he thinks its his opinion and his personal thing there are better places to keep it personal.
As the book is a bestseller lot of people must have liked it. And since the blogger has done nuthin more than talk ill about the book it is bound to attract some flak.
All said and done. Lets all chill. There are people who have hated the godfather and there are people who have loved Ram gopal Varma ki aag.
The blogger should be a little more receptive to criticism and be a sport. Its really strange when u expect every one like your review and start feelin the same about the book.
My take on the book: Its a lovely read.Highly suggested for people who want to run away from the maddening tensions of our daily lives.
Hmmm! have already said enuf!! Am tired now..ha ha..
But you are really gathering some support for your self now. Just saw your link on two other blogs.
Come on man!
As i said all the TIB haters are teamin up!! God save the author.
But come on man! just chill.. Dont take this opportunity to publicize your blog. And i think you said
"and no i haven't written this to seek attention."
Seems like a different story now.
I know my opinion wont really matter much now but still i thot i shuld point this out!
@Jamal Everyone's going to have their take on everything. Actually, continue trashing my review of this best-seller. It'll obviously increase the book's sales.
@rakesh Haha..actually even I'm tired now. I've only posted my link wherever there's a similar thought on the same book. I think the book and its author are getting the publicity. Good or bad- she's going to be rich.
I think I should move onto to write something else now. enough with this.
Yah its gettin really borin now buddy... its nt a mattr of national importance.. Though its looks like it has become one :) we all should move on!
I really wonder wats her take on all this :) See am sure of gettin my book signed!
Realy dnt knw abt u..ha ha..can only amaigine.. post some thing new soon.. and not a book review please..
rotfl.
i need to frst stop laughin to write a sensible comment :D
love love louuve ur review!
N if 2 ppl share more or less the same opinion den sumthings seriously wrong wid the book rite?
Man! i cant believe sum losers hav taken such xtreme pains to spam us cos dey obviously cant hande d truth!
Nw heres wat i suggest v do. Lets post our reviews on flipkark n Uread. Wat say?? ;)
"Posted the review on flipkart and uread!"
ha ha ha!! the final nail on the review's coffin(sadiya's review)!! Never expected such a childish thing from a blogger.
I hope the people at blogadda are vigilant enuf... If they are not i take the responsibility of bringing it to their notice.Mailing them right away. This is a clear cut case of personal vendetta(bhadaaass ;)
They should be be careful in the future.If not the blogger,they have a reputation to live up to.
@Sadiya Chod na yaar. Chill maar. :P
I think I've lost the interest now. Don't feel like doing that.
@rakesh Can assure you that I'm not posting the reviews anywhere else. I've only shared the link on two blogs and you know which ones.
Am glad u r nt into such childish things... Keep us entertained man!! waitin for ur next post :)
'chod na yaar'?
wel dats fantastic!!!
u kno all of d above comments dat hav made evry attempt at showin u down r possibly by d same person???
somebody has made every attempt to make ur own independent opinion look like a sham, taken a hundred efforts to project u as sumthin short of 'cynical' n u dont care???
im sorry, y do u even maintain a blog??
cos u hav a voice? n wen im askin u to stand up fr wats urs n fair u find it inconvenient??
jus d fact dat ur sayin no has made mr bansal applaud u dusn sound fishy?? u xpect sumone who dusn so much as hav a real blogger id to actually care abt ur future wrk??
cant force u bt pls hav a backbone.
if u change ur mind, dats d link-
http://www.flipkart.com/books/8129118637
@Sadiya Oh god! Don't get angry. I think I've put up my opinion where I've wanted to and i don't have to go plaster it on every other site. If someone does read it here well and good. I dont really intend to post it anywhere. I really have to write for myself, not for others!
I'm a big fan of your tongue in cheek humor!! :D
@sadiya: If i dont blog i dont have an identity?
Are the bloggers only allowed to have a voice?
U sound like a little girl with running nose.. banging every door for support..This is the only thing sounding 'f i s h y' here.
If having a backbone means posting reviews on flipkart..Your wish guys..post on flipkart.. go make posters against the book.. get it banned.. sit on a fast..Mera kya jaata hai yaar..U'll get all your vertebrae back.U defntly need to do it.. u need a complete set of backbone for sure...
If it helps i offer to post a nasty review against the book on flipkart or any other such site.. I guess that will get u some peace.. or shuld i burn my copy of the book?
Very well said Rakesh.This is what you call the bloggers virtual world, where not being a blogger means having no identity,lols.Grow up ppl.11 yr old girl with a running nose,good one.One doesn't mature in the virtual world,one has to step out into the real world and miss Sad'ist'iya is busy blogging 24x7 gathering support for her book bashing fest frm every place possible.Thank God I'm not a blogger,if this is wat they do on there blogs!!
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