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1st out of 375 books
—
881 voters
2 States: The Story of My Marriage
Love marriages around the world are simple:
Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy.
They get married.
In India, there are a few more steps:
Boy loves Girl. Girl loves Boy.
Girl's family has to love boy. Boy's family has to love girl.
Girl's Family has to love Boy's Family. Boy's family has to love girl's family.
Girl and Boy still love each other. They get married.
Welcome to 2 States,...more
Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy.
They get married.
In India, there are a few more steps:
Boy loves Girl. Girl loves Boy.
Girl's family has to love boy. Boy's family has to love girl.
Girl's Family has to love Boy's Family. Boy's family has to love girl's family.
Girl and Boy still love each other. They get married.
Welcome to 2 States,...more
Paperback, 269 pages
Published
October 1st 2009
by Rupa and Company
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There is Fiction, then there is Drama and then there is Bollywood.. well 2 States is definitely not the former 2.. being Bollywood end to end. At time you think it is a script written for a movie & by chance printed as a book.
Long back when I read Chetan's 5 pt Someone, I liked it, as in it was a fresh perspective touching the educated youth of today - it wasn't movie stuff but definitely a piece of my life or those around me. Then came 'One Night at the Call Centre' - It was ok ok, not so...more
Long back when I read Chetan's 5 pt Someone, I liked it, as in it was a fresh perspective touching the educated youth of today - it wasn't movie stuff but definitely a piece of my life or those around me. Then came 'One Night at the Call Centre' - It was ok ok, not so...more
21 likes · like · see review
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A typical bollywood love story. Both the lovers are from different states, hence the title "2 states" and their families are very traditional and narrow minded, not to mention stereotypical.
It had a lot of humour, though sometimes it felt as if the writer was trying too hard to be funny.
Also, if you are a south indian and get easily offended, you might not want to read this book.
Overall it was pretty good and a light read !
It had a lot of humour, though sometimes it felt as if the writer was trying too hard to be funny.
Also, if you are a south indian and get easily offended, you might not want to read this book.
Overall it was pretty good and a light read !
Chetan Bhagat, in my opinion, might not have read any good book in his life, except Mills and Boons. Now, he might be India's bestselling author, but he can never be a best writer, if he goes on writing this stuff. I never see any substance in his writing, no standard. If there is any in 5 Point Someone, it has been on the wane since then!
Though I started reading this book, just to know how not to write, I hate myself for reading his books. Should read atleast 10 classics to exonerate myself fro...more
Though I started reading this book, just to know how not to write, I hate myself for reading his books. Should read atleast 10 classics to exonerate myself fro...more
54 likes · like · see review
Aug 11, 2012
Nik
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Bollywood fanatics, Indian who dont mind fluff candy
After hearing my friends all gushing over 3 mistakes of my life, I very apprehensively picked up the book and really didn't understand the whole deal about "Chetan Bhagat". Hence when I started reading 2 states, I had terribly low expectations but the book suprised me. It is sweet,witty and totally "filmy". It was like watching a Bollywood movie unravel itself right there on the pages. The one things I absolutely hate about Bhagat books are the female characters. They are way too cliched. He wri...more
Bollywood on paper - There, that sums up this book in 3 words. I'm not Chetan Bhagat's greatest fan, but this book is a light, quick, fun read and is certainly infinitely better than Three Mistakes of My Life.
The familiar North-South divide is analyzed with hilarity in this book as IIMA graduates Krish ( A Punjabi) and Ananya ( A Tamilian) hope to get married without eloping or being estranged but with their parents' consent. Based on Bhagat's own love story, this book is about how in the great...more
The familiar North-South divide is analyzed with hilarity in this book as IIMA graduates Krish ( A Punjabi) and Ananya ( A Tamilian) hope to get married without eloping or being estranged but with their parents' consent. Based on Bhagat's own love story, this book is about how in the great...more
14 likes · like · see review
I'm about 30 pages in and I was having high expectataion on this book warmly recommended to me by some Indian friendes. Chetan Bhagat is one of the most-beloved Indian authors writing in English, but as everywhere, the best-loved isn't always the best literature.
The characters are unpleasant and boring, the dialogues flat and the situations seem contrived - I can't relate to the sense of humour at all and the writing sounds like some chit-chat of university students, the narrator being a nerdy...more
The characters are unpleasant and boring, the dialogues flat and the situations seem contrived - I can't relate to the sense of humour at all and the writing sounds like some chit-chat of university students, the narrator being a nerdy...more
10 likes · like · see review
Many people will certainly think before reading a Chetan Bhagat novel for sure,but this book is definately a quick read & enjoyable too.
The plot is basically Punjbi-Tamilian warfront.
Bollywood masala is the flavour for the book but still enjoyable.Krish(Punjabi by birth) and Ananya (Tamilian) both fall fo each other while completing their MBA from IIM-A. After a no problem love story of two years ,a major problem is to be confronted-PARENTS.
As we all know for all north indians ,south indians...more
The plot is basically Punjbi-Tamilian warfront.
Bollywood masala is the flavour for the book but still enjoyable.Krish(Punjabi by birth) and Ananya (Tamilian) both fall fo each other while completing their MBA from IIM-A. After a no problem love story of two years ,a major problem is to be confronted-PARENTS.
As we all know for all north indians ,south indians...more
7 likes · like · see review
First Things First.
The Moment i Finished reading the 269th page of the Book and closed it. All I wanted to do, Is to meet these 2 ppl - Krish and Ananya ( The 2 Characters in the Book ) to give them a Big salute.
All the course of the Book i was looking around to see whether the things said in the book are really happening or its Jus a Book tat im reading.
The events, the reactions , the acts are so so real tat at times you feel ur reading ur own Biography.
The book is was so grippin right from the...more
The Moment i Finished reading the 269th page of the Book and closed it. All I wanted to do, Is to meet these 2 ppl - Krish and Ananya ( The 2 Characters in the Book ) to give them a Big salute.
All the course of the Book i was looking around to see whether the things said in the book are really happening or its Jus a Book tat im reading.
The events, the reactions , the acts are so so real tat at times you feel ur reading ur own Biography.
The book is was so grippin right from the...more
Hmmmm........
Another great book from Chetan Bhagat. After reading this book i became an extreme fan of Chetan. A very very very good story for all Indians who are in love with a girl of different community. The best part of the book is the last cover page which tells the extreme truth about love stories of India. The story is griping.
All characters of these books rocks. Ananya and Krish's love story is mind blowing. Cool features and the most enjoyable part of the book is the sentences which K...more
Another great book from Chetan Bhagat. After reading this book i became an extreme fan of Chetan. A very very very good story for all Indians who are in love with a girl of different community. The best part of the book is the last cover page which tells the extreme truth about love stories of India. The story is griping.
All characters of these books rocks. Ananya and Krish's love story is mind blowing. Cool features and the most enjoyable part of the book is the sentences which K...more
Two states is The Novel which makes me read interestingly with more happiness and joy in my mind. Actually, This is the First English Novel in My Life.
I took 5 days to complete this Novel to read because of some training programs are going in my college. I finished Reading this novel on 24 12 12 on 11 30 p.m.
I wont forget this date and time. I loved so much to read this novel.
Two states, Really superb English Novel written by an IITian as well as an IIM graduate, Chetan Bhagat. This story is jus...more
I took 5 days to complete this Novel to read because of some training programs are going in my college. I finished Reading this novel on 24 12 12 on 11 30 p.m.
I wont forget this date and time. I loved so much to read this novel.
Two states, Really superb English Novel written by an IITian as well as an IIM graduate, Chetan Bhagat. This story is jus...more
There are two types of fiction books written by Indian authors - 1. the good ones, and 2. those written by Chetan Bhagat.
Chetan Bhagat is the best selling Indian author. I don't dispute his mass appeal. His books are local, easy to read and relatable. But are they good works of literature? No. Anyway, I don't want to spend this review discussing Bhagat's style, inspiration, appeal etc. I'll get straight to 2 States.
2 States is classic Bhagat. Drama drama drama. Abusive father, abused mother, hau...more
Chetan Bhagat is the best selling Indian author. I don't dispute his mass appeal. His books are local, easy to read and relatable. But are they good works of literature? No. Anyway, I don't want to spend this review discussing Bhagat's style, inspiration, appeal etc. I'll get straight to 2 States.
2 States is classic Bhagat. Drama drama drama. Abusive father, abused mother, hau...more
2 likes · like · see review
'2 states' is the story of cultural differences between a south Indian state and a north Indian state. Everyone in India is aware how vastly different even two adjoining states are in India so when you start to compare 2 states far off from one another in India sparks are bound to fly. But here all sparks are of fun and frolic. Every incident\issue is presented in a very humorous manner without politicizing anything. Everything - from the ways we eat to ways we interact to ways we marry - is por...more
It looks like I'm forced to give the book a rating to write a review for it. Usually I'd ignore the ratings and reviews but I feel obliged to save the world from the pain and agony of reading this book.
Why did I read it myself? Well I found I had a few hours to kill one day while at a relative's place and the only book there was this one so I went ahead and read it. After having read five point someone, my better sense warned me with vehemence to avoid this book like the plague. My time would ha...more
Why did I read it myself? Well I found I had a few hours to kill one day while at a relative's place and the only book there was this one so I went ahead and read it. After having read five point someone, my better sense warned me with vehemence to avoid this book like the plague. My time would ha...more
2 likes · like · see review
I'm pretty proud of myself for finishing this book. In a way, I was forced as I read it on the long plane ride home from India. There was a lot of potential with this book - it is a subject that is extremely relevant in Indian society today. The execution, however, was miserable. First, there was so little character development, I couldn't understand any of the character's motives. Why did he fall in love with this girl? what drew him to fight for her? The only thing I could understand about her...more
"2 States" was pretty good. I've enjoyed all of Chetan Bhagat's books so far, and was pleasantly surprised to find this was a sequel to his first one "Five Point Someone" that had the characters I liked the most.
Told from the perspective of Krish starting when he joins Indian Institute of Management and meets Ananya in line at the cafeteria where she doesn't like the food. After a little rocky start, they fall in love, move in together in the college and graduate, with most of their school time...more
Told from the perspective of Krish starting when he joins Indian Institute of Management and meets Ananya in line at the cafeteria where she doesn't like the food. After a little rocky start, they fall in love, move in together in the college and graduate, with most of their school time...more
A friend from India gave me this book upon his recent return from visiting home. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the struggle of a young couple finding love and striving to bring their families together so they can be married. What I did not realize is how different the North and South Indian cultures are, and how much bigotry their is against each other.
The one thing I struggled with in reading this book was that the author used a lot of Indian words that were not ever translated into an Engl...more
The one thing I struggled with in reading this book was that the author used a lot of Indian words that were not ever translated into an Engl...more
People talk a lot about Chetan Bhagat not being a very good writer. Honestly, if u would have picked up 2 states, I'm sure you wouldn't put it down. So catchy and so upbeat, it's something every goofy Indian student can relate too. From the first scene where, Krish has to sacrifice his Gulab Jamoon for the fair South Indian girl to the Tamil-Punjabi wedding bash, Bhagat never fails to make you laugh with his candid statements.
some lines that had me rolling:
“From biscuit to brides, if there is an...more
some lines that had me rolling:
“From biscuit to brides, if there is an...more
2 likes · like · see review
Really interesting. Not sure if it would be interesting for anyone other than Tamilian - or even Punjabis - would they like to read these whole story of whats chennai and what people of chennai like and not like..
I read it , and can be comparable to the tamil novel "Washingtonil Thirumanam" by Saa.Vi in 80s..
The author starts with a preface of "I do not have anything against South Indians, please dont be offended". Surprisingly, I found the whole novel was praising the Tamilians about our urge...more
I read it , and can be comparable to the tamil novel "Washingtonil Thirumanam" by Saa.Vi in 80s..
The author starts with a preface of "I do not have anything against South Indians, please dont be offended". Surprisingly, I found the whole novel was praising the Tamilians about our urge...more
What a lovely, heart-warming little gem in Indian literature! I picked up 2 States at a bookstore in Bangalore, India. I read the synopsis and chuckled and decided I had to read it. The author’s books were in various displays around the store and I assumed he was quite well established in this genre. 2 States is loosely based on the author’s life story, Chetan is from Delhi and his wife from Tamil Nadu. I’m so glad I picked it up, it was well worth the read.
It’s told in the POV of Krish, a young...more
It’s told in the POV of Krish, a young...more
By Chetan Bhagat; Grade B+
I wouldn't have picked up a Chetan Bhagat book had there not been a renovation going on at my home, and 2 States the only book available. Helpless, and famished to read something for more than two weeks, I squeezed out 2 States from my shelf, where it was as prominent as a pickle in a glass jar, and for some weird reason, seemed easier to take out compared to all the other books lying there.
Love marriages around the world are simple:
Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy.
They g...more
I wouldn't have picked up a Chetan Bhagat book had there not been a renovation going on at my home, and 2 States the only book available. Helpless, and famished to read something for more than two weeks, I squeezed out 2 States from my shelf, where it was as prominent as a pickle in a glass jar, and for some weird reason, seemed easier to take out compared to all the other books lying there.
Love marriages around the world are simple:
Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy.
They g...more
one up for chetan bhagat because humourous books are rare to find.
the books lacks an interesting story, thought some of the phrases and facts are so true they make you laugh out loud and look like a wierdo who is in the middle of laughing fits.
Krish(our hero :P) is such a sweetheart and that's why he is not even close to how boys are in the real world.
my favourite character was krish's mother and ofcourse Pammi aunty. the way she has been described makes you rewind and think about people you kno...more
the books lacks an interesting story, thought some of the phrases and facts are so true they make you laugh out loud and look like a wierdo who is in the middle of laughing fits.
Krish(our hero :P) is such a sweetheart and that's why he is not even close to how boys are in the real world.
my favourite character was krish's mother and ofcourse Pammi aunty. the way she has been described makes you rewind and think about people you kno...more
4 likes · like · see review
Chetan Bhagat wrote only two good books (atleast for startup entertainment), one was Five point someone and other One nigh@ Call centre... however they are just "GOOD" not more than that. Chetan Bhagat captures the attention of the wannabe non english speaking teens (or adults) with his simple Hinglish style, College romcom & oodles of sex (titillation is always in his books to cater to the masses of the teens). I think he needs to read good books to understand the psyche of universal reader...more
Very educational (and highly accurate! If a bit exaggerated in a few areas for the sake of compelling fiction) story about the difficulties of cross-state (read: cross-cultural, cross-language, cross-race) marriages in India, particularly when it's a North/South marriage. Each state in India behaves a lot more like an independent country than part of the larger cultural India. The flag, the Hindi language, the shared government--they feel a lot more like a cookie cutter (ghee mysore pak cutter?)...more
2 States
by Chetan Bhagat
Publisher's write-up :
“Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. They get married.
In India, there are a few more steps:
Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy.
Girl's family has to love boy. Boy's family has to love girl.
Girl's family has to love boy's family. Boy's family has to love girl's family.
Girl and boy still love each other. They get married.
Welcome to 2 States, a story about Krish and Ananya who are from two different states of India, deeply in love and want to get married. Of cour...more
by Chetan Bhagat
Publisher's write-up :
“Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. They get married.
In India, there are a few more steps:
Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy.
Girl's family has to love boy. Boy's family has to love girl.
Girl's family has to love boy's family. Boy's family has to love girl's family.
Girl and boy still love each other. They get married.
Welcome to 2 States, a story about Krish and Ananya who are from two different states of India, deeply in love and want to get married. Of cour...more
Chetan Bhagat explores the issues of marriage in India. It is a clash of what I would think "New India" is and "Old India". Just like it says on the back, boy and girl meet, fall in love, now have to convince their parents of their love. I found this story interesting because it explores the idea of arranged marriage while demonstrating some of Indian wedding culture. The kids want to get married, but have to convince their parents they are right for each other, despite their cultural difference...more
I just completed this one and wanted to write out the review immediately before i start hating it more.
First impression, it's manageable, anyone who has been thru an inter-community marriage definitely gets to relate to this story. I only say 'relate' not actually 'like'. Here are some fine observations:
1) Chetan bhagat has this uncanny ability to show love stories with some post-processed attitude. I mean everyone knows that when in love we are actually all starry-eyed, but then when we contem...more
First impression, it's manageable, anyone who has been thru an inter-community marriage definitely gets to relate to this story. I only say 'relate' not actually 'like'. Here are some fine observations:
1) Chetan bhagat has this uncanny ability to show love stories with some post-processed attitude. I mean everyone knows that when in love we are actually all starry-eyed, but then when we contem...more
This is not a book for the (pseudo or otherwise) intellectual. This is not meant for the hyper-sensitive-I-am-hurt-by-your-comments individual. Above all, this is most certainly not meant for I-am-a-Punju-and-I-rock or the I-am-Tam-Brahm-and-we-are-the-best-there-can-be.
This is a book for those looking for some entertainment; those who can laugh at themselves; those who can derive amusement from minor observations made by the author; ones who can understand that the author is stretching the trut...more
This is a book for those looking for some entertainment; those who can laugh at themselves; those who can derive amusement from minor observations made by the author; ones who can understand that the author is stretching the trut...more
This is a story of two classmates at IIM(A) -- Krish, a Punjabi man and Ananya, a Tamilian woman -- who become friends, fall in love and want to get married. They decide to convince their parents to let them marry each other instead of, say, elope. In order to bring the two families together, the couple had to navigate a byzantine path strewn with obstacles arising mainly from their respective families'
cultural differences. The vast differences between the two states split the families apart cre...more
cultural differences. The vast differences between the two states split the families apart cre...more
2 likes · like · see review
Positives:
* Very simple writing style. Nothing extravagant.
* Some really interesting moments like Krish and Ananya’s father working on presentation and a romantic number playing in the background.
* Highlights what parents think of their children as marriage commodity and it is still prevalent in some parts of the country.
* Gives a very real feel to the story as if the people are really around you.
Negatives:
* Some of the situation were really not necessary and very dramatic as if taken from...more
* Very simple writing style. Nothing extravagant.
* Some really interesting moments like Krish and Ananya’s father working on presentation and a romantic number playing in the background.
* Highlights what parents think of their children as marriage commodity and it is still prevalent in some parts of the country.
* Gives a very real feel to the story as if the people are really around you.
Negatives:
* Some of the situation were really not necessary and very dramatic as if taken from...more
Everyone I know who has read the book, has loved it. And recommended it. Not that I had raised my expectations due to that. Mainly because I did not like 5.someone that much either -- which was the author's first and best and even more popular and highly recommended book.
Firstly, the positives. The theme/intention is good, light, fun. This is definitely a book for masses. And YES, there are one-liners, and/or wise-cracks, that are totally hilarious and I too enjoyed them and laughed aloud at th...more
Firstly, the positives. The theme/intention is good, light, fun. This is definitely a book for masses. And YES, there are one-liners, and/or wise-cracks, that are totally hilarious and I too enjoyed them and laughed aloud at th...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is it more important for the two families to like each other before the future life-partners could do the same? | 6 | 104 | Feb 10, 2013 08:10am | |
| about the book | 63 | 315 | Feb 07, 2013 02:49am |
Chetan Bhagat writes op-ed columns for English and Hindi newspapers, including Times of India and Dainik Bhaskar, focusing on youth and issues based on national development. Bhagat is also a motivational speaker and has given talks in leading MNCs and other institutions. He quit his international investment banking career in 2009, to devote his entire time to writing.
In 2008, The New York Times ca...more
More about Chetan Bhagat...
In 2008, The New York Times ca...more
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“The world's most sensible person and the biggest idiot both stay within us. The worst part is, you can't even tell who is who.”
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“Pretty girls behave best when you ignore them. Of course, they have to know you are ignoring them, for otherwise they may not even know you exist.”
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