තුන් තකතිරු කං කරපු කෙනෙක් මං!

by Chetan Bhagat, Dileepa Jayakody (Translator)

The 3 Mistakes Of My Life

Genres: Fiction, Indian Literature, India, Romance, Novels, Contemporary, Young Adult

407 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

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 called Bhagat "the biggest selling English language novelist in India’s history". Bhagat, a graduate of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, is seen more as a youth icon than as an author.

Reviews

[Sanjay · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading this book I realised that this was the fourth mistake of my life. Boring as Hell. It's a complete waste of time (and money if you buy one).

[Mrinmayi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth mistake of my life was reading this book
I am NOT joking...I am being honest *Tries to put a "serious face"* *fails at it*
Anyway, the only reason why I rated this book 3 stars back then was because of the nostalgia
I remember reading this book during our free period at school
And the MCs were so stupid!! I had a good time laughing at them xD

Did I mention this book got me into trouble??!!
Yup!! It did!! there was this particular dumb scene & I was laughing so hard at the characters that I read that scene to my friends
And now remember that all this happened at my school during a free period
But then my friends started laughing..aaaaaand we kinda have a weird laugh😅
So ofc the teacher noticed

Yup!!! Our teacher was EXACTLY like him!!
I mean who shouts at students during a free lecture??!!
But you know what??!! I became a CEO at the age of 16
It was when the above-mentioned teacher said: Mrinmayi and her company please get out of the class!! Right Now!! Got the joke lol

That's how I imagined my teacher xD

We were back benches xD
But while getting punished ...I realized one thing
MY FRIENDS WERE GOD TIER !!! As compared to the MC's friends!!
And we were almost HALF the age of the protagonist!!
Still, my friends were *chefs kiss*
while the friendship in this book was whack!!

I mean we are a group of FOUR friends
I was telling the joke to only two of them
My other friend was having her nap
BUT when the teacher punished us.. even she came out with us!!
We did not even wake her up!!
One moment she was napping & the next she was out of the class with us!!
And I thanked God for such friends!!
And this stupid protagonist & his friends were so dumb!!
Like...IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT FRIENDSHIP IS...DON'T TAINT IT DUDE!!!
How the heck was I supposed to believe in such a fake friendship that the MC had with his friends??!!


I swear us Normal people have a much more interesting life than most of the protagonist of Chetan Bhagat's book

Don't try to change it FYI
I am stubborn like that xD

[Jwala · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book, the author has put everything, which sells it in India-Cricket, religion,Communal riots,politics,love, aspirations, misery, sacrifice(s),the Earthquake in Gujarat etc etc but it is a poor mix of all these potentially winning ingredients. There's too much of unnecessary emotion, unrealistic action and what's more we are supposed to believe that the book is based on a real story. The book is so contrived, melodramatic, unoriginal and boring that it reminded me of the bollywood flicks. And i don't think there is any point talking about characterization. There is hardly any. As of good things his grammar which is very poor made me feel better about my grammar and the mention of the names ML Khanna and Resnick & Halliday made me a bit nostalgic.

This book is supposed to inspire the youngistan's of Hindustan. If ever a day comes when i have to draw inspiration from Mr.Bhagat's books,then God save me. I won't recommend this book to anyone unless he/she is a a huge bollywood fan and who wants to read the books which are unintelligent.
Ok. Got it. Not all the books are meant to be intelligent and original.Some(like this one)are just meant to be page turners. But do i find it a quick read? Yes, but still it is not a goodread but a painful one.
So what are The 3 Mistakes of My Life?
1. Against my better Judgement, borrowing a Chetan Bhagat's
book from my friend on his insistence.
2. Reading the book.
3. Bothering to write a review about this book.

[Archit · Rating 3 out of 5]

No doubt that his debut was gripping and the movie a phenomenal one. The second one dipped starkly in quality.

This salvages his track record in the status quo.

In my humble opinion, I will say that I am glad that he found his mojo back with the 3rd one. Perhaps the best book of the author.

The cricket backdrop amalgamated with the riots and the flurry of emotions pulsating between the trio of friends - well, yes it is quite a book!

The character sketchup was lucid and the story moves with a great pace.
Ali is someone that ignites the melodramatic emotion needed to make it a hit.

The love affair like there always are. The religious riots that are too perennial. Cricket is a religion in India. Interlacing this all, Mr. Chetan Bhagat emerged with a nice one!

Ah, well it is the perfect recipe for a bollywood flick. (But that did disappoint on more than one level).

Still I will remember this as a book and not as a script.

2+1 extra star for the desi masala rendered in a gripping manner!

[Muhammad · Rating 3 out of 5]

বাংলাদেশীদের ভেতর একধরণের ভারতবিদ্বেষ আছে, যেটি অনেক সময়ই ‘দেশপ্রেম’ এর মাত্রা নির্ধারক হয়ে দাঁড়ায়। ‘ভারতীয় পণ্য বর্জন করুন’ এখানে বেশ পৌনঃপুনিক একটি শ্লোগান। প্রায় ২৫০০ বছর আগের সেই মৌর্য-গুপ্ত সাম্রাজ্যের শাসনকাল থেকে শুরু করে ২০১৪ সালের আজকের বাংলাদেশ-ভারত; দুটি অঞ্চলই ভৌগোলিক ভাবে এখনও একে অপরের গায়ে গা ঠেকিয়ে অবস্থান করছে। এত লম্বা সময় ধরে পাশাপাশি সহাবস্থানের পরও কেন এ দু’ অঞ্চলের মানুষের ভেতর পারস্পারিক বিদ্বেষ কাজ করে? কারণটা সম্ভবত চিরাচরিত ভারতের ধীরে ধীরে ‘বেয়াড়া রকম আধুনিক’ ভারতে পরিণত হয়ে যাওয়া। ভারতের সিনেমার রসিকতাগুলোতে বাংলাদেশকে উল্লেখ করা হয় অপমানজনক ‘পাঞ্চ লাইন’-এ। বি এস এফ-এর গুলী খেয়ে ভারতের বর্ডারের তার কাঁটায় ঝুলে গরীবস্য গরীব ঘরের ১৫ বছরের কন্যা বাংলাদেশী ফেলানী। সংবাদ সম্মেলনে ‘কোড অফ কন্ডাক্ট’ কিংবা ‘স্পোর্টসম্যানশিপ’ কে বুড়ো আঙুল দেখিয়ে ভারতীয় ব্যাটসম্যান ভীরেন্দর শেবাগ তাচ্ছিল্য ভরে বাংলাদেশী বোলিং লাইন আপ-কে বলেন ‘অর্ডিনারী’। দু'যুগের বেশী সময় ধরে দু'দেশের মধ্যকার বিভিন্ন চুক্তি থেকে বাংলাদেশ কে ক্রমাগত বঞ্চিত করে আসছেন ভারতীয় কূটনীতিক ও রাজনীতিবিদরা। ভারতের সিরিয়াল আর ফিল্মগুলোর আধিপত্যে ওষ্ঠাগত হয়েছে এদেশের পরিচালকদের প্রাণ। শিশুরা এখন এখানে বাংলা ভাষার আগে শেখে হিন্দী ভাষা (যদিও এর পেছনে বাংলাদেশীদের স্বেচ্ছাসেবী পর্যায়ের ‘অবদান’-ই বেশী)। এই ভারত, ইতিহাসে যে ভারতের রূপ পাওয়া যায়, তার থেকে অনেকটাই অন্যরকম। অর্থনৈতিক ও বুদ্ধিবৃত্তিক কৌলীন্য অর্জনের সাথে সাথে ভারতীয় বিনয়ের যে চিরাচরিত প্রথা তা অনেকটাই বিলীন হয়ে পড়ছে। এখনকার ভারত অনেক আত্নবিশ্বাসী ও অনেক আগ্রাসী। বিরাট কোহলীর অশ্লীল রকম ঔদ্ধত্য এখন আর শুধু কোহলীর একার মনে হয় না। মনে হয় এটাই ‘সর্বভারতীয় ঔদ্ধত্য’ হয়ে পড়ছে! চকলেট, পারফিউম এর মত নির্দোষ বস্তুগুলোর ভারতীয় বিজ্ঞাপন যৌন সামগ্রীর বিজ্ঞাপন গুলোকেও রীতিমত প্রতিযোগিতার সম্মুখীন করে তুলেছে। বিজ্ঞাপন গুলো দেখলে এখন আর বিশ্বাস করতে ইচ্ছে করেনা কেউ স্রেফ দাঁত পরিষ্কার রাখতে ব্রাশ করেন কিংবা ঘামের গন্ধ এড়াতে পারফিউম ব্যবহার করেন। ভ্রম হয়, বাসা থেকে অফিস যাবার পথে যত নারী যাত্রাপথে পড়বেন, সবাইকে শয্যাসঙ্গী বানাতেই আসলে টুথপেস্ট কিংবা পারফিউম এর আবিষ্কার। বাংলাদেশীরা এই ভারতকে পছন্দ করেনা। সম্ভবত অনেক ভারতীয়ও ভারতের এই বদলে যাওয়াটার সাথে খাপ খাওয়াতে পারছেননা। আমার ব্যক্তিগত অভিজ্ঞতা হল, আমি যে অল্প ক’জন ভারতীয় বন্ধু পেয়েছি, বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে পড়বার খাতিরে ও অন্যান্য কার্যক্রমে, আধুনিক ভারত নাকি তাঁদেরও বেশ কিছুটা গলদঘর্ম করে ছাড়ছে, মানিয়ে নিতে। (হয়ত আমিই গিয়ে খুঁজে খুঁজে ‘বাংলাদেশপন্থী’ পক্ষপাতদুষ্ট ভারতীয়দের সাথে বন্ধুত্ব করেছি, কে জানে!) চেতন ভগতের ‘দ্যা থ্রী মিসটেকস অফ মাই লাইফ’ কিছুটা কি ভারতীয়দের ভারত সংক্রান্ত অস্বস্তি গুলোকেই প্রতিফলিত করল? আমার কাছে অন্তত তা-ই মনে হলো!

গুডরিডস ডেটাবেইসে ‘থ্রী মিসটেকস’ এর এই সংস্করণটির রেটিং ২.৯০। রেইট করেছেন ২৮,২৩৫ জন। ৫ এ ২.৯০ মানে শতকরা ৫৮ শতাংশ যা ইঙ্গিত করে এটি বেশ খারাপ একটি বই, বেশীর ভাগ মানুষ ১ বা ২ তারা দাগিয়েছেন। এত বিপুল সংখ্যক মানুষের ভোট প্রাপ্ত এত কম রেটিং এর বই আমি গুডরিডস এ বেশী একটা দেখিনি। একটু ঘাঁটাঘাঁটি করলে দেখা যায়, এখানে একধরনের মেরুকরণ ঘটেছে! ৫ এ ১ বা ২ যাঁরা দিয়েছেন তাঁরা প্রায় সবাই-ই ভারতীয় (আর এনারাই সংখ্যায় গরিষ্ঠ), আর যাঁরা ৪ এমন কি ৫ ও দিয়েছেন, তাঁরা প্রায় সবাই-ই সাদা চামড়ার বিদেশী। বাংলাদেশীরাও বেশীর ভাগ ৪-৫ করেই দিয়েছেন। ভারতীয় রিভিউয়াররা (যাঁরা ১/২ করে দিয়েছেন) প্রায় সবাই-ই উল্লেখ করেছেন বইটির গল্প বলিউডি সস্তা গল্প। বিদেশীরা উল্লেখ করেছেন বইটির গল্প অত্যন্ত বাস্তবসম্মত! বইটিতে অনেক ঘটনাই এসেছে, তবে আমার ধারণা চেতন ভগত মূলত ভারতে ধর্মীয় উন্মাদনার ভয়ঙ্কর দিকটি দেখাতে চেয়েছেন। ‘ক্রিকেট ঈশ্বর’ শচীন টেন্ডুল্কারের দেশ ভারত, ক্রিকেট যেখানে আরেকটি ধর্মই প্রায়, সেখানেও হিন্দু-মুসলিম ধর্মের পার্থক্য অন্য আর সব হিসেব নিকেশকেই এলোমেলো করে দিতে পারে। সুপ্তভাবে ক্রিকেট-উন্মাদনার চেয়ে ধর্মীয় উন্মাদনাই আসলে অনেক বেশী। পার্শ্ববর্তী দেশ হয়ে আমাদের চেয়ে ভালো সেটি আর কে বুঝবে?

ধর্মের ফলে উদ্ভূত যে দাঙ্গা, নিঃসন্দেহে সেটির ব্যাপকতা অবিশ্বাস্য রকমের, প্রায় অনেকটাই হয়ত ‘ফিল্মী’। “ধর্মান্ধতা কি আসলেই মানুষকে এতটা হিংস্র করে দিতে পারে?” এপার-ওপার দু’বাংলার বাংলাভাষীরাই নিশ্চয়ই করুণ হাসি হাসবেন প্রশ্নটা শুনে।

[Rhea · Rating 1 out of 5]

The 3 Mistakes of MY Life:
Buying Chetan Bhagat's trashy book
Starting Chetan Bhagat's trashy book
Finishing Chetan Bhagat's trashy book

This is a terrible terrible piece of writing.

[Anupama K. Mazumder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading the book, and am still overwhelmed by it. I love Chetan Bhagat's ability to connect with his reader, his simple language flow just grips you... yeah, there sure are some limitations, but highly ignorable. I found his choice of women to be of just one type... the "sweet, simple and pretty, salwar kameez clad" kinds.. Neha of Five Point Someone and Vidya of this book are exactly similar. The hero is always in a group of 3 friends... the thinking pattern somehow remains the same.

One more point I would like to add. The mistakes the narrator talks about are not really such big ones. Anyone would act the same way he did in his situation. I could sympathize with the character fully.

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe Chetan Bhagat is regarded as one of the best writers in India.

One of my school friends recommended his books to me and I bought the whole lot that had been published till date and obviously regretting that decision. But what I regretted most was reading all that trash.

He is highly over-rated. This was outrightly garbage. Not to mention the movie was equally bad.

0 stars

[Samir Dhond · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the most disappointing authors and of course, the book is trash. I just do not like Chetan Bhagat's writing.The lesser said, the better.

[Amit · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

GENRE - FICTION

This is the First Book I picked up to read during my Train journey from Bombay to Calcutta way back in 2012.I was always attracted to books and since my school days I would keep reading books from my school library about topics of history and political science which were my favorite subjects in school.
However my reading journey started with this book thanks to the Author as he was a bestseller in India those days and alot of young adults would often speak about his books and that is how I started reading this one aswell.
If it was today I would have easily given this book 3/5 but just for those old times sake and for making reading 📚a knowledgeable and exciting hobby I would give it 4/5.

[Rishab Arora · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently IIT does _not_ teach you how to write a book.

[Ankit Agrawal · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of hype is there about Chetan Bhagat and his books. But I would say Chetan Bhagat is no writer. He doesn't know to write properly. Books beginning are great, character introduction is awesome but, story is funny and seems to be good but the end is so pathetic and senseless that it leads nowhere and ruins the whole interest.

As far as this book is concerned I think it was a waste of money for me. Some areas of the book are so senseless and nowhere related to real life. Its like paying Rs. 200 for a good Hindi Movie but when you go its not even average (full poor jokes, pjs & senseless story). I always heard good Chetan Bhagat but I have not been impressed by any one of his books and 3 Mistakes of My Life is the worst of them all. For a writer who has written his 3rd book it is really pity on him to write a book like this. Simply Waste of Money and Time for the readers I would say.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chetan Bhagat's style of writing in this story is such that you never really understand what the "bottom line" is of the story until towards the end. That is definitely not a bad thing. This may be his most compelling story because of the way it's written, due to the fact that by the time the actual STORY begins, you know so much about the characters that they almost feel like family. You care about what happens to them and THAT is what makes this book so great. The characters are realistic, the story is realistic and, most importantly, Mr. Bhagat's style of writing is captivating. Once I began reading, I did not put the book down until I had absolutely finished it. This comes highly recommended from my end.

[Rhea Routray]

All right. This one review, then it's over. I would never commit mistakes like Chetan Bhagat.
This one would be a jewel in my shelf of Epitome Of Bad Writing.
Okay, I would have given it 0 stars out of five, but Goodreads doesn't allow me that. So I better chose to be content with one star. Well, let's not mess with the thing.
The biggest mistake of Chetan Bhagat: he is a loser.
Bad plot, poorly developed characters, unpredictable moods, and that thing I think was very exaggerated: romance, idiotic things that rule the plot, crappy writing, and what can you say: friends cheating on friends.
Look, I am just 14, so I don't have want to say about the things written in this, what do I say, trash. I have said this and would say it again: I hate Chetan Bhagat.
So please. I am going to write some crap from this book trash. And I don't want to call them spoilers(although i have hidden them for the self proclaimed Chetan Bhagat fans who haven't read the book) because nothing can spoil an already spoiled book trash.
I have nothing to say right now, just read this in case you also got me right.
I noticed her dress. She wore a new purple and white bandhini salwar kameez today. Her necklace had a purple teardrop pendant and matching earrings. She had freshly bathed. Her hair smelt of a little bit of Dettol soap and well, her. Every girl has a wonderful smell right after bath. I think they should bottle and sell it.
I was rolling my eyes when I read this one. The voice inside my head resounded once again, I hate Chetan Bhagat.
so the first thing. I am not interested in knowing how that half headed girl looked, what she wore that day, how her hair smelt, how she had matched her dress with purple teardrop pendant and matching earrings.
That's it, guys. I have to do my little brother's homework, and many more things that are more important than reading and whining about this book. I just have one advice: stay away from this book trash. If you want to save your time, and money. And once again, I Hate Chetan Bhagat.

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book was mistake of my life.

[Sumaîya Afrôze Puspîta · Rating 3 out of 5]

একটা মানুষের গোটা জীবনে কোনো ভুল থাকবে না, তা কি হয়? আমরা ভুল করি, ভুলের মধ্যে থাকি, আবার ভুল থেকেই নির্ভুল সমীকরণ মেলাই। তেমনই এক‌ যুবকের করা তিনটি ভুল কীভাবে তার জীবনের ছন্দ পাল্টে দেয়– সেই গল্প‌ই বর্ণিত হয়েছে উপন্যাসটিতে।

ভালো লেগেছে। তবে গতানুগতিক ধারার। যেখানে দরিদ্র নায়ক, তার সাঙ্গপাঙ্গ, বড়লোক প্রেমিকা, মধ্যবিত্ত স্বপ্ন, স্বপ্নের পতন, আবার নাটকীয়ভাবে স্বপ্নের চারা গজানো, সাথে ব্যালেন্স করার জন্য রগরগে প্রেম (সামান্য), সাম্প্রদায়িকতা, দেশপ্রেম– মানে সফল রোমান্টিক সিনেমার গল্পে যা থাকে, তা-ই।

কয়েক বছর আগেও যদি এই ব‌ই পড়তাম, তাহলে আবেগের ঠেলায় নিশ্চিত ৫ তারকা দিয়ে দিতাম! এখন পারছি না... তবে হ্যাঁ, টিন‌এজরা এই ব‌ই উপভোগ করতে পারেন। শেষের দিকে লেখক কিছু টানটান উত্তেজনা রেখেছেন, যেগুলোও তাদের আকৃষ্ট করতে পারে।

মূল ব‌ইটি ইংরেজিতে লেখা এবং খুব সাবলীলভাবেই লেখা। তবে ইশতিয়াক আহমেদের বাংলা অনুবাদটাও অসাধারণ মনে হয়েছে।

[Santhosh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had typed up this nice little post on how this book was the 3rd mistake of my life, Chetan's other 2 books being the first two. And then I realized every Amar, Akbar, Antony and their uncle had come up with the same idea.

There is this line in the book: "I was both attracted to him and repelled by him. He had charisma and lunacy at the same time". This pretty much sums up the book for me as well. The grammar is crap, the plotline is nonexistent, you can write down a list of THE top filmi fundaas and keep ticking them off one by one by one, and above everything Chetan doesn't know shit about cricket.

And yet you'll read it through, because it's about a world that you exist in. As with the other 2 books, Chetan comes across really well in the way he puts across what you do everyday - like what a typical 20 something would think when he's asked to stay for dinner at a friend's or how an 8yr old would behave in a cricket shop. And as with FPS and ONAACC, Chetan scores in his one-liners ("Indian mothers have 2 tasks - make children eat more & study more", "why hadn't evolution figured out that men liked pretty women better and turned them all out that way?", "Girls talk in circles. Like an algebra problem. It takes a few steps to get them to the point").

The one thing the book could have definitely done with though is some good editing. There are just too many anachronisms, mis-facts and fantasies in general - Aussies unbeatable in 2000, metallica tees and incessant sms's in 90's India, "that South Indian opener Ramesh 'replaced' by Laxman in the second innings" in the 2001 Kolkata Test, taking khakras into Australia without a mention of customs..., the list just goes on. Oh and hire someone who's finished 4th grade grammar while at it.

The story? It's about three 21-22 yr old Hindu boys - Govind, Ishaan and Omi- opening a cricket shop in their neighbourhood along with some math and cricket coaching. The environment is a religiously and politically tense Ahmedabad. They mentor a Muslim boy Ali, a 'national treasure' who can hit any ball for 6 due to extraordinary reflexes. The Hindu-Muslim riots crash their world and the three try saving the boy from Hindu fanatics baying for his blood.
Add some 'original' content now and then - like Govind and best-friend Ishaan's sister Vidya falling in love, the Gujarat earthquake destroying their investments in a new mall, Hindutva party meetings, an Australian academy sponsored trip to Australia (based on just 3 balls bowled to Ali), Govind realising his love for Vidya when he's away and is surrounded by beach babes, Omi coming in between Ali and a trisool thrust by his own father and dying, Ali taking down the last baddie by hitting the cricket ball precisely on his forehead, best-friends Govind and Ishaan dividing their shop into two halves with a divider right down the middle, and finally Govind attempting suicide.

Also throw in some passages on things that an everyday small-town school-going kid would relate to - math tuitions, tennis balls, how parents spend time and money only if it's related to studies, how nobody is allowed to follow their passions, how Australia with a population of 20 million should lose every cricket match to India's blue billion - and you have a potential bestseller.

A decent read if you liked the other two. Not great literature by any stretch but definitely captivating in parts.

ps : Did anyone else also keep waiting for handsome, blond, Aussie, "Pace mate" fast bowler Fred Li to turn out to be Brett Lee?

[Rohan Pansari · Rating 1 out of 5]

WARNING:this entire review is a rant in disguise and an elegy to the precious moments I lost while reading this turdf**k

Three mistakes of MY life-

1)Picking up this steaming pile of s**t.
2)Reading this "book" which should be officially classified as a crime against humanity
3)NOT doing drugs; As this book gave me AIDS anyway.

Ever read about the infinite monkey theorem? If you haven't,

It says that if an an infinite number of chimpanzees were set to type at an infinite number of typewriters they will almost surely type anything, such as the complete works of Shakespeare. Sadly,the same cannot be said for the bard Bhagat, as his works are so brilliant in their shittiness, they should probably be declared a marvel of quantum mechanics.

The story
Quite simply,
Three guys buy a cricket store. It collapses in an earthquake. Boo hoo.
Protagonist agrees to give math classes to Best friend's sister; Gives her a biology lesson instead(Ok, that was bad)
BlarghBlarghReligiousViolenceBlahBlahPoliticalCorrectnessBlahBlah
Fin

Not even the collective minds of Tolkien, Homer and Rowling could have concocted a brilliant tale such as this. Bravo, sir, Bravo.


Writing
The writing is truly divine. The lovemaking scenes beneath the "tanki" have been written with such eloquence and grace that George RR Martin allegedly shed a single tear while reading this masterpiece. He has decided he will quit writing since he obviously can never hope to match the standard set by Bhagat.

Seriously though, you will probably find better writing in my passionate essay "Why girls are icky" written in the third grade.

Bhagat, for the love of humanity, call this farce off, write an apology note, and get a job.

I doubt he would though. He probably cannot spell apology.

[Rajan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please avoid if you like to read good book or even a gud time pass. its neither. I left it unread as i found out it is a trash. I finished ONACS after herculean effort. I feel Chetan is highly overrated. He has gone steadily downhill from FPS. He is a bad writer. Now he has become pseudo intellectual also and giving gyan on news papers, news and social media which is very hilarious. A very bad book. Again proves my suspicion that engineers can't write (I am an engineer too ;). I agree with most of you completely about Chetan. But to tell you the truth i really liked and enjoyed FPS. I even identified with one of the characters. But he went steadily downhill after that. He is one book wonder as i see it. Thanks for telling me about these creative engineers. It is nice to know. Also he is so lucky that movies based on his books turn out very good like three idiots, kai po che and two states (hello was a disaster). So it adds to his aura.

[Pari · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wonder why I read CB's novel! But alas, this was there in my list and I wanted to read a light book. Finished it in a few hours, what a crap movie this would make! Too many characters, none with a strong one! Tsk tsk!

[Sandhya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best selling feature of a Chetan Bhagat book is its readability. In a world where one is constantly striving to find time, it truly matters when you can actually finish reading a book withen a couple of hours. Also, when he isn't getting too filmy and over-the-top, Chetan actually manages to hold a story well enough. That was evident with both Five Point Someone and One Night At A Call Centre. The former especially works as an excellent satire on the education system I thought.

Chetan's third book, the just-launched Three Mistakes Of My Life starts off in the same effective manner as his earlier two books, but unlike the other two, this one starts to appear too
far-fetched towards the middle and then just irrevocably falls apart in the end.

The story recounts the life of three youths, Omi, Ishaan and Govind trying to make a life staying in small-town Gujarat. Given Govind's business acumin and Ishaan's love for cricket, the youngsters decide to open a shop that sells cricket goods. Omi's family helps them to get a rented place outside a temple, and soon enough the place is a hit with the locals. Chetan's biggest strength as a writer is his ability to create interesting settings and situations. And that's true of his latest book too.

Moving on, Ishan takes a great liking to one of the local Muslim boys, Ali with a 'magical' ability to smash the ball for a six each time. Living with the regret of making it himself, Ishan decides to train the 12-year old. Strangely, the lad himself is least interested in cricket but Ishan and his friends take it upon themselves to not only train him free, but even endure great pains to take him all the way to Sydney at the suggestion of one of the Australian players. There, Ali is offered a contract on the condition that he become an Australian national only to have the 12-year-old spout dramatic lines such as, 'Does that mean I cannot play for India?! Then I don't want it!' and walk away.

This is where the novel begins to disintegrate and goes on to become embarrasingly over-the-top and melodramatic. As long as the author only incorporates the Gujarat earthquake and how it brings down the hopes of one of the novel's lead character, Govind -- Chetan's attempt at infusing a natural disaster with the personal is acceptable. But it's hardly likely that both the Godhra episode and the following riots would again have a direct bearing on these very characters.

The last few chapters especially go out of hand. One knows Chetan's a big fan of Bollywood and believes that much like a Hindi film that must have action in the end, a novel too must have its share of blood and gore to make it wholesome enough. First of all, Bollywood itself is moving away from formulaic fares so Chetan's jumped in a bit late here. Secondly, there is no emotional resonance or reasoning to any of the violence that takes place in the temple, with the Hindus trying to attack Ali with Ishan and others trying to save him.
It's never clear why these youths are fussing over Ali so much. There's only one explanation given - that he's gifted. Why would anyone in their right mind take him all the way to Australia or give up their life (yes, one of the youngsters dies trying to protect the boy!) to preserve his talent. None of their sympathies for him are based on the fact that he's a Muslim, nor do they save him out of any moral obligation apart from the fact that he is a potential cricketing great! Chetan's intentions are honourable but his notions of nationalism and patriotism are just too naive and simplistic.

In between, there's a love story thrown in between Govind and Ishan's sister, only to have Omi spout cheesy lines like, 'You can't hit on your friend's sister, that's an unwritten rule' etc.

Honesty, I wanted to like this book. It begins well, it’s setting is wonderfully created and importantly, it truly attempts to give the reader a slice of small-town India (I know I’m going to be slaughtered for saying this, but this even reminded me a lot of R K Narayan where simplicity of language and characterization went).
But Chetan messes it up by taking on more than he can chew and in an attempt to say something thoughtful and provocative, dissapoints. The book won't take you long to read it all, so go ahead and read it for the first 75 pages or so.

http://www.sandyi.blogspot.com/

[Manish Ahuja | MrEmogical · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rating is 3.5

The student from IIT, The executives making calls and now businessmen and sports fanatics. The characters, story lines and most importantly the author has developed with all books in the series. I liked this book equally as much as I miss the way FPS was written. Somehow I always associate Chetan Bhagat with FPS and the rest.

The 3 Mistakes, is a book which has left a strong impact for sure. A story handled brilliantly and written in signature style of the author which doesn’t allow one to keep the book aside unless you don’t read it till the last word. So what if it’s not as funny as the earlier two books written by him, but still its special in its own way and I’m sure readers would surely agree.

[tazmeen ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5+1/5

This is one of those few instances where the movie adaptations are clearly better than the book itself.

My Personal Thoughts:

The book in itself lacked. But, it did prove as a good inspiration to the movie, which I did enjoy so I added a star. But, we're reviewing the book, so it doesn't really deserve it.

But otherwise,

The Three mistakes of My life:
#1- Reading Chetan Bhagat
#2- Reading Chetan Bhagat
#3 - Reading Chetan Bhagat

And also what the HELL was the second mistake, sleeping with his student? 😭 Why is it that every single book this disgrace of an author HAS to include smut.

Even if Chetan was good at writing smut, I'd be ok. But he absolutely SUCKS at it, please Mr. Bhagat, I beg you to stop this smut. And his ADDICTION to IIT.

Bro, this book was about fugging cricket, not IIT. Look man, I understand you went there, that doesn't mean you have to include it in every SINGLE book.

The Characters

All three of the Mcs were terrible. I guess Ish was a bit better than the rest. BUT Govind or whatever was an absolute A**hole, and nothing will justify him sleeping with his minor student..

Omi's death was barely even noticed, like dude died but noone cared. Ali, now probably had great potential and had a great nationalist spirit and I feel bad for the loss of BOTH HIS PARENTS...

Vidya was a stupid girl who just really pissed me off for some reason. I don't know why, but EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THIS CHETAN'S BOOKS have an incomplete ending.

Writing

The writing was mediocre to say the very least.

My brain has spontaneously combusted, and so I cannot craft the rest of the review, BUt:

- The entire book was a joke in my opinion, very guess-able. And, SO I Will NOT read this again.

[The Bibliophile Doctor · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first mistake of my life was reading this book.

Well that's it. I'm done!!! I'm not stupid enough to commit 3 mistakes by reading more Bhagat.

[Navdha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why even bother with this book? Why even tell us a story which sounded like the script of a bad Bollywood movie? I mean, the title makes you actually worked up thinking what those colossal mistakes would be? Doesn't it? But after you're done with, forget the feeling of disappointment, but think about feelings of complete frustration. Why you might ask? Because you'd be frustrated at yourself for giving this book the time that it didn't deserve. Just watch another movie, where a guy wants to start his business and not do college, because he wants to follow his dreams. He works hard and earns enough money to buy a decent shop space but because his luck is all fucked up, an earthquake crushes all his dreams in the debris. Then I don't really remember what happens cause it isn't too significant but he falls hard for his best friend's sister whom he tutors. Just ugh! Downright, clicje and boring. It's supposed to be bro-code among guys that their sisters will not come under the evil crutches of their guy buddies. So when the protagonist does just that and goes out of the way to hide it from his best friend, you know their friendship is going to be doomed. Cliche alert: Best diaper buddies losing their forever friendship because of a girl. Ahem, and they also have sex during the so called math or whatever tuition classes, when the so-called best friend is right outside the other side of the wall! Oh the girl was tutored alright. Just not the way her big brother wanted her to be. Ack.
So in the end, some messed up shit happens. If I recall correctly some kinda riot. Oh did I forget to mention about a kid who is trained in cricket by another friend of the protagonist? His story is what you call a story to tell. So I guess this kid also got involved in the religious riot and then in the middle of all that crisis, the best friend finds out about his sister and the serpent. Boo-freaking-hoo. He then punches him and then there are some words said and then the guy commits a suicide. Tries to commit a suicide. Doesn't die. *sighs* And then I guess things go all happy and mushy in the end cause the best friend forgives him and realizes that her sister couldn't have been trusted with anyone much better. Blah-de-blah-blah. And the story ends.
Oh and what happened to the kid? I don't remember.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is based at Ahmedabad. The story revolves around three friends Govind, Ish and Omi. It is narrated in 21 chapters.
As it usually happens, these youths too are crazy about cricket which is damn relatable.
They open up a shop catering to cricket sports items and stationery goods.
But life is not that easy for them, specially in a turbulent city like where they reside in.
As almost in all his books,the prologue is dramatic as if the narrator has no way out of a sticky/rather-be-death kind of situation.
This part is a key point to start with, keeping the interest of the reader curious enough to continue reading👍
The cricket craze throughout the story is palpable & relatable👍
The community differences pointed out here & there but not overly done👍
Govind has to give home tuition regarding Math for Ishaan's sister, Vidya, as her parents want her to get through the medical entrance examination.
👎The girl being described as someone who.is unable to be someone else but being super girlie & academically helpless is a bit of an exaggeration.
But I find it relatable when it comes to someone who is being forced by parents to give an examination that he/she is not interested in.
👍 I find the ways the guys helping a talented kid, going out of their means to train him upto the level where he gets qualified to play cricket.
👍 How the author incorporates communal riots in between cricket, relationships, friendship, jobs, family seem realistic indeed.
The dilemma & the hurt one gets inflicted with breaking the trust of a true friend, dealing with deaths, the helplessness of it all are the highlights of the story.
I love how everything works out in the end.

✔️A definite one time read.
✔️One of Chetan Bhagat's bests!
✔️This is one entertaining read at its best👌
✔️One cannot help dreaming/reminiscing about young romance while reading this one 👌

[Amashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story. This book is quite similar to Revolution 2020. Govind is so perceptive and focused. Ish has a intrepid personality though he is a bit fierce occasionally.But I wish he was a bit more considerate about their future.Omi was a good friend regardless of his vapid behavior.
What happened with Omi was despairing. His tragic demise was unexpected.

Therewithal everything they did to support Ali was fascinating. To have a selfless mentor like Ish is a blessing. Didn't enjoy the comments/arguments regarding Hinduism and Islam.
Romance b/w Govind and Vidya was kind of cute yet a wee bit complicated since I couldn't comprehend what Govind really felt about her. Plus they rushed in to decisions too fast.
Ending was good :)

[Jennifer Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least fav CB book!A big letdown after 1 night at the Call center!
Book had some highlights though,I after all lived through many events in this book myself like 2001 and 2002,that Oz India series and all.
But I dunno,I just didn't like the storyline that much!
Romance didn't click much either.
That tour of Australia was completely out of place and not at all necessary!
Main character,a typical Gujarat Bania stereotype was okay,not great tho
Girl was okay too,I liked the heroines in his 1st 2 novels much better and 2 states was the best ever
Plot was so so
overall just 1 star

[Avani ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chetan Bhagat books was the phase when I first started reading. I've read all of his older books and never touched the new ones. Will I be reading the new ones ever? No.
#SorryNotSorry

[Saritha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a major fan of Chetan Bhagat, but I had to read this book because there's a movie being made, based on it. But I can begin to see why Bhagat is so popular. It's written for easy transition into screenplay. (Hopefully, I'll like the movie, Kai Po Che, better - the casting is perfect going by early reports)

This story has three very distinct characters, perhaps a little unidimensional (Govind is the businessman type, Omi is the god fearing type and Ish is the cricket-crazy one). Omi, in particular, seems least defined, although he does play a major part in the way things pan out finally. His transformation in the way he regards his uncle is too soon, too quick and since the story is from Govind's point of view, not quite given the breathing space that it could have had. The last section is breathless, racy and efficient but I would have liked some more depth. Would have loved the book to have been a little longer.

But yes, there are insights that I loved, but not enough to make me pick up another Bhagat. Unless, of course, there's a movie in the offing.