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I Too Had a Love Story
Do love stories ever die?. . . How would you react when a beautiful person comes into your life, and then goes away from you . . . forever?
Not all love stories are meant to have a perfect ending. I Too Had a Love Story is one such saga. It is the tender and heartfelt tale of Ravin and Khushi—two people who found each other on a matrimonial site and fell in love . . . until life put their love to the ultimate test.
Romantic, emotional and sincere, this heartbreaking true life story has already touched a million hearts. This bestselling novel is a must-read for anyone who believes in the magic of love . . .
Not all love stories are meant to have a perfect ending. I Too Had a Love Story is one such saga. It is the tender and heartfelt tale of Ravin and Khushi—two people who found each other on a matrimonial site and fell in love . . . until life put their love to the ultimate test.
Romantic, emotional and sincere, this heartbreaking true life story has already touched a million hearts. This bestselling novel is a must-read for anyone who believes in the magic of love . . .
112 pages, ebook
First published February 28, 2007
2923 people are currently reading
36973 people want to read
About the author
Ravinder Singh
103 books1,970 followersRavinder Singh is a software engineer who works with a prominent IT company in India.
He was brought up in a very small town of Orissa called Burla. After spending most of his life there, he has recently moved to Chandigarh. Owing to the Nature of his work, he has visited various parts of the world and he wishes to continue doing the same in future. Apart from reading and writing, The Author has a keen interest in working out in the gym. Occasionally, he loves playing snooker; his favorite game. He is crazy about Punjabi Music and loves dancing to its beats. I Too Had A Love Story.. is his debut novel.
He was brought up in a very small town of Orissa called Burla. After spending most of his life there, he has recently moved to Chandigarh. Owing to the Nature of his work, he has visited various parts of the world and he wishes to continue doing the same in future. Apart from reading and writing, The Author has a keen interest in working out in the gym. Occasionally, he loves playing snooker; his favorite game. He is crazy about Punjabi Music and loves dancing to its beats. I Too Had A Love Story.. is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,464 reviews
January 5, 2012
Once again, some great reviews is what led me to reading this book. The book, they say, is a true love tale, written by Ravinder out of the despair of losing his girlfriend. But, the writing is irritatingly immature. Considering it a true account, this could have been excused if only it had been written with some confidence. He goes on repeating the phrase '...because i am madly in love with Khushi' over and over again, as if he thinks that a reader might actually not understand it. Another irritating thing that the writer does is to always quote Khushi as 'Khushi- the one i love'. Oh! Come on, aren't we reading the lovestory of Ravinder and Khushi.
I would also say that this guy has been bitten by the 'Chetan Bhagt bug' a little too severely. The writer has written the book with an eye on the Bollywood. The characters in the story are just too ideal and perfect that you can actually spot them in any Yash Raj Movie.
But yes, if you have enjoyed all those Yash Raj Movies, if you are looking for a light read, if you are travelling and have lot of time to spare but not money, and if you really don't care about what your co-passengers might assume about your reading habits, well, then this book is a very good option.
I would also say that this guy has been bitten by the 'Chetan Bhagt bug' a little too severely. The writer has written the book with an eye on the Bollywood. The characters in the story are just too ideal and perfect that you can actually spot them in any Yash Raj Movie.
But yes, if you have enjoyed all those Yash Raj Movies, if you are looking for a light read, if you are travelling and have lot of time to spare but not money, and if you really don't care about what your co-passengers might assume about your reading habits, well, then this book is a very good option.
September 24, 2012
D title says ‘I TOO HAD A LOVE STORY’ ( Did he really? I ‘m not very sure whether it was love or sum guy gloating over it..He checks out an air-hostess while his ’soulmate’ is dying & has d audacity 2 paint himself innocent..u call dis luv??)
Guess vat, it is a stupid, stupid book! Riding on d Chetan Bhagat bandwagon, here cums anoder Indian writer wid a so called’ heartbreaking true love tale’. Its d story of Ravin, who falls in luv wid a girl whom he met on a matrimonial site n finally loses her 2 fate.The style of writing is very much similar 2 dat of Bhagats, but a lot worse. Its filled wid cheesy dialogues n attempts at jokes at even d deathbed. My collagemates who had read it described it as humourous, among many oder things. If dis is ur definition of humour, den mind u, I am not d person 2 b wid. While I was reading d buk, I was not sure whether I really hated it or was it an ok-ok type. Den came appoint ver I read :
“ V r trying our best , but der is no guarantee dat, 4 d rest of her life,she vil b as beautiful as she was b4. Thank u 4 standing by her.” ( D entire conversation lasts almost a page) Dat was d final blow 4 me.It was really easy 2 hate d buk after dat.
If dis is his real life luv story & d fact dat he dedicated almost a page 2 how a nurse tells him how gud a person he is, den dat tells a lot about d author. R good men so scarce on earth dat v label any guy as good?( By good ‘men’, I don’t mean humanity as such, only d men(u knw, d 1 wid d XY chromosome) coz der r enough good women in d world hidden behind veils imposed by d society n d 4 walls of a kitchen imposed by family. If all der goodness ver 2 b radiated, devil wud probably go blind!)
Oh, & he tries 2 show his respect 4 women too( anoder failed attempt 2 boast himself).
In d buk ’ d fountainhead’, Elsworth says dat a gud critic shud b 1 who shud b able 2 impose his ideas on d society.. If he labels a bad buk as excellent, den it shud bcum d bestseller.. I can only understand d success of dis buk as d outome of sumthing sinister like dat. If dis makes a nation cry, den mayb v r a nation looking 4 reasons 2 cry. If dis is true luv, den mayb v r too blinded by bollywood romances.
In Atlas Shrugged, Rand says “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (U guessed it rit, I luv Ayn Rand!).. All dat is necessary 4 d success of a bad buk is d scarcity of honest reviews. Der is a lot of positive opinion about d buk dat d negativity drowns in it. Hence, dis review.
D succcess of dis book reminds me of a conversation between d American President & his aide Lewis in d movie 'D American President':
Lewis : " People don't have a choice! Bob Rumson is the only one doing the talking! People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand."
President : "Lewis, we've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference."
D same applies in d case of books. People make bestsellers out of nonsense due 2 d absence of gud books. I can only hope dat sumbody sumwhere mit b toiling on a brilliant manuscript now 2 save us frm buks like des.
In short, I hate d book. I hate d book so much dat i managed 2 drag my lazy ass out of bed n write dis. Read d book, so dat u know ver ur standards r. D cover of d book says ‘National Bestseller’. If dis is d kind of book dat bcums a national bestseller, den I shud assume d whole nation has gone nuts!
Guess vat, it is a stupid, stupid book! Riding on d Chetan Bhagat bandwagon, here cums anoder Indian writer wid a so called’ heartbreaking true love tale’. Its d story of Ravin, who falls in luv wid a girl whom he met on a matrimonial site n finally loses her 2 fate.The style of writing is very much similar 2 dat of Bhagats, but a lot worse. Its filled wid cheesy dialogues n attempts at jokes at even d deathbed. My collagemates who had read it described it as humourous, among many oder things. If dis is ur definition of humour, den mind u, I am not d person 2 b wid. While I was reading d buk, I was not sure whether I really hated it or was it an ok-ok type. Den came appoint ver I read :
“ V r trying our best , but der is no guarantee dat, 4 d rest of her life,she vil b as beautiful as she was b4. Thank u 4 standing by her.” ( D entire conversation lasts almost a page) Dat was d final blow 4 me.It was really easy 2 hate d buk after dat.
If dis is his real life luv story & d fact dat he dedicated almost a page 2 how a nurse tells him how gud a person he is, den dat tells a lot about d author. R good men so scarce on earth dat v label any guy as good?( By good ‘men’, I don’t mean humanity as such, only d men(u knw, d 1 wid d XY chromosome) coz der r enough good women in d world hidden behind veils imposed by d society n d 4 walls of a kitchen imposed by family. If all der goodness ver 2 b radiated, devil wud probably go blind!)
Oh, & he tries 2 show his respect 4 women too( anoder failed attempt 2 boast himself).
In d buk ’ d fountainhead’, Elsworth says dat a gud critic shud b 1 who shud b able 2 impose his ideas on d society.. If he labels a bad buk as excellent, den it shud bcum d bestseller.. I can only understand d success of dis buk as d outome of sumthing sinister like dat. If dis makes a nation cry, den mayb v r a nation looking 4 reasons 2 cry. If dis is true luv, den mayb v r too blinded by bollywood romances.
In Atlas Shrugged, Rand says “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (U guessed it rit, I luv Ayn Rand!).. All dat is necessary 4 d success of a bad buk is d scarcity of honest reviews. Der is a lot of positive opinion about d buk dat d negativity drowns in it. Hence, dis review.
D succcess of dis book reminds me of a conversation between d American President & his aide Lewis in d movie 'D American President':
Lewis : " People don't have a choice! Bob Rumson is the only one doing the talking! People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand."
President : "Lewis, we've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference."
D same applies in d case of books. People make bestsellers out of nonsense due 2 d absence of gud books. I can only hope dat sumbody sumwhere mit b toiling on a brilliant manuscript now 2 save us frm buks like des.
In short, I hate d book. I hate d book so much dat i managed 2 drag my lazy ass out of bed n write dis. Read d book, so dat u know ver ur standards r. D cover of d book says ‘National Bestseller’. If dis is d kind of book dat bcums a national bestseller, den I shud assume d whole nation has gone nuts!
September 27, 2014
Awfully written novel which killed the story.
This book was suggested to me by my dear friend who loved this book. I normally avoid tragic - romance books. But the way my friend described it made me want to give it a try.
Here's what happened.
Sleep was inevitable. But I somehow managed to read the book, to read the pages that lacked savor. It was a bitter boring read. It was like biting an apple that was about to rot.
The story is about the author, Ravi who meets a girl in an internet dating website and falls in love with her. That's it. The rest of the story goes very slow - paced. It's all about Kushi and Ravi. There's nothing else to lean on when those two characters get boring which (believe me) they did. The story would have been better if there were many events happening simultaneously or if the author didn't concentrate only about his love life.
The author wasn't very descriptive; for example he stated that "the food was tasty". He never mentioned what food he was referring to. He could have substituted the word 'tasty' to some other more descriptive word; for example scrumptious. Or at least he could have mentioned what he was eating. And that particular phrase remained with me long enough for me to write it in this review. It was a long time ago since I read this book and I'm surprised that the first phrase that came to my mind was "the food was tasty".
The author's narrative skills were very poor and that is why sleep was inevitable. Maybe a better usage of vocabulary would have gained this book another star.
The story was cute on the whole but the writing killed it. If you love the story and not the words that describe it then, this book would be perfect.
This book was suggested to me by my dear friend who loved this book. I normally avoid tragic - romance books. But the way my friend described it made me want to give it a try.
Here's what happened.
Sleep was inevitable. But I somehow managed to read the book, to read the pages that lacked savor. It was a bitter boring read. It was like biting an apple that was about to rot.
The story is about the author, Ravi who meets a girl in an internet dating website and falls in love with her. That's it. The rest of the story goes very slow - paced. It's all about Kushi and Ravi. There's nothing else to lean on when those two characters get boring which (believe me) they did. The story would have been better if there were many events happening simultaneously or if the author didn't concentrate only about his love life.
The author wasn't very descriptive; for example he stated that "the food was tasty". He never mentioned what food he was referring to. He could have substituted the word 'tasty' to some other more descriptive word; for example scrumptious. Or at least he could have mentioned what he was eating. And that particular phrase remained with me long enough for me to write it in this review. It was a long time ago since I read this book and I'm surprised that the first phrase that came to my mind was "the food was tasty".
The author's narrative skills were very poor and that is why sleep was inevitable. Maybe a better usage of vocabulary would have gained this book another star.
The story was cute on the whole but the writing killed it. If you love the story and not the words that describe it then, this book would be perfect.
March 31, 2017
I will give this one a five star without being generous. These light-hearted reads had been in the trend in the book sales.
And I picked on up before a tiresome overnight journey.
The story is indeed good and I will reserve my rating explanation for just the ending. It had me captured and had my attention!
Brisking and trotting the tale at his will, Ravinder Singh did a good sound job throwing the ending in the face - right out of the blue.
The events are carved out in a seasoned manner and the writing style is best described as nifty. There is a strange, detached, numbness that I find hard to fathom.
5 Stars for the way this book made me feel.
Simple yet moving.
And I picked on up before a tiresome overnight journey.
The story is indeed good and I will reserve my rating explanation for just the ending. It had me captured and had my attention!
Brisking and trotting the tale at his will, Ravinder Singh did a good sound job throwing the ending in the face - right out of the blue.
“She died. I survived. Because I survived, I die everyday.”
The events are carved out in a seasoned manner and the writing style is best described as nifty. There is a strange, detached, numbness that I find hard to fathom.
“Tere jaane ka asar kuch aisa hua mujh par, tujhe dhoondate dhoondate, maine khud ko paa liya”
- a line I stumbled upon in the pages
5 Stars for the way this book made me feel.
Simple yet moving.
December 4, 2013
i read this book a year back or so. a few of my friends actually cried reading this( all of them who did being girls), so i was forced and yeah also out of curiosity i decided to read this book. let me summarise what i understood from this book for you.
there's this indian techie who falls in love with the girl who he meets on a matrimonial site and unfortunately she dies in an accident before their marriage. it being a true story, i feel sad for this guy. yes i truly do.
ok thats all is the story.
now, about the writing. one word- USELESS!!! you'll forget your basic english if you read this one! i dont even know how this guy actually even got it published!! beyond me!! and if its about the love, i couldnt feel any love that pulled me into the story of the book. just simple and stale!
moral: crappy book, don't waste your precious time on this. there're are better books by other indian author's and i dont mean chetan bhagat here. something more like Amitav Ghosh! :)
there's this indian techie who falls in love with the girl who he meets on a matrimonial site and unfortunately she dies in an accident before their marriage. it being a true story, i feel sad for this guy. yes i truly do.
ok thats all is the story.
now, about the writing. one word- USELESS!!! you'll forget your basic english if you read this one! i dont even know how this guy actually even got it published!! beyond me!! and if its about the love, i couldnt feel any love that pulled me into the story of the book. just simple and stale!
moral: crappy book, don't waste your precious time on this. there're are better books by other indian author's and i dont mean chetan bhagat here. something more like Amitav Ghosh! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2010
A beautiful story. This book is a simple yet capturing story of Ravin and Khushi.None of the lavish or extravagant stuff.
Just a simple story but while reading the book you will realise that author has put his heart and soul in the book.You will remember the book and specially Ravin for sure, for his simplicity,for story,for the emotions he felt for Khushi, for Khushi.
If you are in love or are in waiting for your prince/princess you will connect to the story.
A book by a person in love - summarises the book.
Just a simple story but while reading the book you will realise that author has put his heart and soul in the book.You will remember the book and specially Ravin for sure, for his simplicity,for story,for the emotions he felt for Khushi, for Khushi.
If you are in love or are in waiting for your prince/princess you will connect to the story.
A book by a person in love - summarises the book.
August 31, 2016
My mother's fifteen year old student handed me this book, wanting me to read it, read it and love it as much as he did. When he persisted for a week, I finally decided to give it a go this night.
It takes barely a page to understand that it is an uncomplicated and honest story, with easy to relate one dimensional Indian characters. English is bad, editing is worse, but the fact that the author wants to narrate the story 'as is', makes you leave aside all judgement and by the time the book ends, you are but touched. The mystical experience near the end of the book even gave me goosebumps.
But judging this book as a work of fiction and not autobiographical, I will grade it as extremely poor. The narrator displays an astounding lack of self-awareness. Neither his observations display any acuity (most revolving around the cheerful childishness of a girl) nor his commentaries possess any psychological depth (froth with banal generalities like [paraphrasing] "it is human tendency to hate the person who gets you up in the morning then thank him", or, "we think we are smart because we are young; but we forget our parents are elder, so they must be smarter than us"). Prose is repetitive and burdened with unnecessary details. Not all phone calls should start with a 'Hiiiiiiii' and a 'Heyyy!'. Not all hotel names and street names and room numbers and car-makes and relations have to be mentioned. A girl can be more than 'beautiful' and readers know all-too-well how much you love her, they do not need reminding twice every page.
All in all, the author is the *very* typical, unoriginal nice-guy-next-door. He experiences the most significant incident in his life - the coming and going of a girl - and he decides to share this experience with others in all its earnestness. I respect him for that.
P.S. The innocence and motivation behind the book reminds me of another such work, 'Anything for you, Ma'am'. Back in 2006, I had chased down its author, Tushar Raheja, after several desperate emails. I wanted to get some tips on creative writing, some inside information on publishing industry and the magical formula, if any, for success. He was nice enough to share it. "Art comes from the heart," he had proffered.
It takes barely a page to understand that it is an uncomplicated and honest story, with easy to relate one dimensional Indian characters. English is bad, editing is worse, but the fact that the author wants to narrate the story 'as is', makes you leave aside all judgement and by the time the book ends, you are but touched. The mystical experience near the end of the book even gave me goosebumps.
But judging this book as a work of fiction and not autobiographical, I will grade it as extremely poor. The narrator displays an astounding lack of self-awareness. Neither his observations display any acuity (most revolving around the cheerful childishness of a girl) nor his commentaries possess any psychological depth (froth with banal generalities like [paraphrasing] "it is human tendency to hate the person who gets you up in the morning then thank him", or, "we think we are smart because we are young; but we forget our parents are elder, so they must be smarter than us"). Prose is repetitive and burdened with unnecessary details. Not all phone calls should start with a 'Hiiiiiiii' and a 'Heyyy!'. Not all hotel names and street names and room numbers and car-makes and relations have to be mentioned. A girl can be more than 'beautiful' and readers know all-too-well how much you love her, they do not need reminding twice every page.
All in all, the author is the *very* typical, unoriginal nice-guy-next-door. He experiences the most significant incident in his life - the coming and going of a girl - and he decides to share this experience with others in all its earnestness. I respect him for that.
P.S. The innocence and motivation behind the book reminds me of another such work, 'Anything for you, Ma'am'. Back in 2006, I had chased down its author, Tushar Raheja, after several desperate emails. I wanted to get some tips on creative writing, some inside information on publishing industry and the magical formula, if any, for success. He was nice enough to share it. "Art comes from the heart," he had proffered.
December 4, 2013
the story is touching but i didn't like the narrative nature of storytelling......it was more informative than literary.
April 21, 2013
I fail to understand how a guy can fall in love with a girl whom he hasnt even met. The even more surprising fact is that the family of both the main characters seem cool with it. The repetitive use of shona, love you, and continuous conversations seem more like addiction than love. The part where he continues talking even during take-off is nothing more than childish.
The author has made references where he has met the girls family personally while there is not a single instance where the guy's family has even seen the girl. Hence it is hard to believe that such parents exist in our society that go ahead with their son's engagement without seeing the girl.
This book deserves nothing more than 2 stars. The book lacks interest. There is nothing which might keep the reader hooked. There is too much description of unnecessary things and unwanted characters.
Author has dedicated an entire chapter in the beginning of the book to his best friends but they are not mentioned even once in the end of the book when I suppose they were needed the most after khushi's death.
Book is full of immature love. Perhaps the title should have been " I too had a fairy tale".
The author has made references where he has met the girls family personally while there is not a single instance where the guy's family has even seen the girl. Hence it is hard to believe that such parents exist in our society that go ahead with their son's engagement without seeing the girl.
This book deserves nothing more than 2 stars. The book lacks interest. There is nothing which might keep the reader hooked. There is too much description of unnecessary things and unwanted characters.
Author has dedicated an entire chapter in the beginning of the book to his best friends but they are not mentioned even once in the end of the book when I suppose they were needed the most after khushi's death.
Book is full of immature love. Perhaps the title should have been " I too had a fairy tale".
December 5, 2019
It is one of the cringiest books I have ever read. The main characters were just trying to live a love story that they have seen in cliché puppy-love movies. There wasn't any love between them so over-enthusiastic love declarations seemed nonsensical.
Only read it because it was such a popular best-seller but turned out to be another overrated romantic novel.
Only read it because it was such a popular best-seller but turned out to be another overrated romantic novel.
April 24, 2015
Love stories with a tragic end are beautiful in their own peculair way.Some love stories never die. They remain for generations yet to come to read them again...this is one such story....
Though I am not the kind who'd read romantic novels on a lazy Sunday morning just to pass time but I knew this one had something special about it even before I started reading it.
Boy was the story touching!!..? To know it is a true story was even more touching and I could feel the pain the author must have gone through, through his words. The pace and pitch of the story made for an extremely enjoyable read as I could relate to the emotions that spilled out of the writer’s heart into the pages of the book.I could easily identify with the descriptions of late night conversations, quarrels, the fear of facing parents and little tears and smiles, related with light hearted humor and child like simplicity.This is a must read for all those who value emotions & feelings.
Though I am not the kind who'd read romantic novels on a lazy Sunday morning just to pass time but I knew this one had something special about it even before I started reading it.
Boy was the story touching!!..? To know it is a true story was even more touching and I could feel the pain the author must have gone through, through his words. The pace and pitch of the story made for an extremely enjoyable read as I could relate to the emotions that spilled out of the writer’s heart into the pages of the book.I could easily identify with the descriptions of late night conversations, quarrels, the fear of facing parents and little tears and smiles, related with light hearted humor and child like simplicity.This is a must read for all those who value emotions & feelings.
April 8, 2017
Yet another cliché love story with a terrible narrative.
One day I made her cry, she cried and then seeing her crying I cried. The sky cried.
Did I mention childish and repetitive?
I am still asking myself why I picked it up!!
One day I made her cry, she cried and then seeing her crying I cried. The sky cried.
Did I mention childish and repetitive?
I am still asking myself why I picked it up!!
September 16, 2020
*Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers and some strong language. So be warned*
I Too Had a Love Story is one of the most over-hyper piece of crap I've ever read.
Supposedly, this is a true story of the author, Ravin, and the girl "whom [he] loved, yet couldn't marry", Kushi. Even if this story was complete fiction, I don't think I would have wanted Kushi to end up with Ravin. Ever.
I haven't read a lot of Indian authors, but the one's I have read have a good grasp of the English language. Sadly, that wasn't the case here. The language and descriptions felt juvenile and kept bringing down the story. I wasn't expecting the story and the words to sweep me off my feet but what I got was immensely worse.
What's wrong with good old, I took in a deep breath?
One of the biggest problems that I had with this story was Ravin. He was so self-righteous and vain that this story didn't feel like his and Kushi's tragic love story but more of an affirmation of what a "good" guy he is. Which btw he is not. He see flaws in everyone but rarely in himself.
When he first joins Shaadi.com this is what he writes:
And than later, just before he is supposed to meet Kushi face-to-face for the first time:
Notice how he only talks about the shortcoming or the fear of shortcomings on others. There isn't a single line there where he thinks What if Kushi finds me lacking?
Also, his self-flagellation doesn't end there. What could have been a moment of genuine social criticism on misogyny and male entitlement, turned into yet another moment of making himself the knight in shinning armor:
And this moment comes after this one:
Let me tell you of yet another moment of epic assholery. So our dude Ravin is late getting to the airport and even there he doesn't pay much attention to the announcement. So when Kushi tells him that the announcement may be for him, he asks an American guy next to him "Wudgyaa mind tellin me whom they were calling for?" to which the American guy replied, justifiable, Some Ravin to New York. For fuck's sake, why are people not on time at the airport?"
Now our dude Ravin, does say that while he was angry at the guy, he didn't say anything because it was his fault. If the interaction had ended here it would have been fine. But when he goes to the check-in counter and finds out that he's been upgraded to business class, this is what he does:
Could you be any more mean-spirited and petty for something that was your fault to begin with?
Now, for the crème de la crème of the whole thing. As you maybe have guessed given the title. This love story is that of the Nicholas Sparks variety, i.e. one of them dies at the end.
So after a fatal accident, Kushi is in the ICU and Ravin in on the way to see her. Now, I understand that we all have different coping mechanism when it comes to tragic events. Not everyone reacts and deals with them the same way. Having said that, how do you start flirting with the air hostess when you are on you way to see your possibly-dying love of your life?
This book was honestly really bad. I went into it because i had seen so many people raving about it. The book itself has rave reviews printed on it from some of the big newspapers and magazines in India. So, I not only feel bad, I feel cheated. If there is anything that I can say to the author, it's this: show, don't tell.
Read this book at your own risk.
I Too Had a Love Story is one of the most over-hyper piece of crap I've ever read.
Supposedly, this is a true story of the author, Ravin, and the girl "whom [he] loved, yet couldn't marry", Kushi. Even if this story was complete fiction, I don't think I would have wanted Kushi to end up with Ravin. Ever.
I haven't read a lot of Indian authors, but the one's I have read have a good grasp of the English language. Sadly, that wasn't the case here. The language and descriptions felt juvenile and kept bringing down the story. I wasn't expecting the story and the words to sweep me off my feet but what I got was immensely worse.
I oxygenated my lungs with a deep breath and turned her almost 180 degrees
What's wrong with good old, I took in a deep breath?
One of the biggest problems that I had with this story was Ravin. He was so self-righteous and vain that this story didn't feel like his and Kushi's tragic love story but more of an affirmation of what a "good" guy he is. Which btw he is not. He see flaws in everyone but rarely in himself.
When he first joins Shaadi.com this is what he writes:
The best ones had declined me. In fact, most of them had ignored me. Only a handful accepted my request but, unfortunately, they didn't appear that good.
And than later, just before he is supposed to meet Kushi face-to-face for the first time:
What if she isn't as beautiful as she appears in her pictures? What if she laughs n a very weird way? What if she limps?
Notice how he only talks about the shortcoming or the fear of shortcomings on others. There isn't a single line there where he thinks What if Kushi finds me lacking?
Also, his self-flagellation doesn't end there. What could have been a moment of genuine social criticism on misogyny and male entitlement, turned into yet another moment of making himself the knight in shinning armor:
The city was not safe for women, especially at night, when the savages of the city came out of their dens and did all manner of ill. So, maybe, her mother felt some comfort knowing I was with Kushi.
And this moment comes after this one:
'Men build houses, but women make homes.' And now I had found one such woman.
Let me tell you of yet another moment of epic assholery. So our dude Ravin is late getting to the airport and even there he doesn't pay much attention to the announcement. So when Kushi tells him that the announcement may be for him, he asks an American guy next to him "Wudgyaa mind tellin me whom they were calling for?" to which the American guy replied, justifiable, Some Ravin to New York. For fuck's sake, why are people not on time at the airport?"
Now our dude Ravin, does say that while he was angry at the guy, he didn't say anything because it was his fault. If the interaction had ended here it would have been fine. But when he goes to the check-in counter and finds out that he's been upgraded to business class, this is what he does:
While talking to her I saw the same passenger passing by - the one with the US flag on his T-shirt. I waved at him sarcastically and he moved ahead to economy class as if he hadn't seen me. But I knew he had.
Could you be any more mean-spirited and petty for something that was your fault to begin with?
Now, for the crème de la crème of the whole thing. As you maybe have guessed given the title. This love story is that of the Nicholas Sparks variety, i.e. one of them dies at the end.
So after a fatal accident, Kushi is in the ICU and Ravin in on the way to see her. Now, I understand that we all have different coping mechanism when it comes to tragic events. Not everyone reacts and deals with them the same way. Having said that, how do you start flirting with the air hostess when you are on you way to see your possibly-dying love of your life?
Even her lovely face could not get me to say yes. Maybe because no one appeared as beautiful to me, anymore, as my own Kushi...
...'Ok. Veg or non-veg, sir?; she smiled.
Wow! This time that smile appeared good to me.
'You won't be serving me both?' I asked her as soon as she completed her question...
...'Wow! That smile is pretty indeed,' I told myself.
This book was honestly really bad. I went into it because i had seen so many people raving about it. The book itself has rave reviews printed on it from some of the big newspapers and magazines in India. So, I not only feel bad, I feel cheated. If there is anything that I can say to the author, it's this: show, don't tell.
Read this book at your own risk.
January 22, 2010
Some books take you for a surprise. I was recently browsing a bookshop and came across a lot of young aspiring Indian Authors. Most of them were chicklits and female authors but to find a male author in this selection was a surprise. The title of the book struck a chord with me. Even I too had a love story....so I picked the book. Haven't never heard about the author nor the book. I felt I should try reading it, and boy did I feel touched. To know its a true story was even more touching and I could feel the pain the author must have gone through, through his words. It had a similar effect as Erich Segal's Love Story did to me. I would recommend this book to one and all.
P.S. Please don't make a trashy Hindi movie of this book adaptation. If you guys can't do justification don't ever make a movie.
Synopsis
Do love stories ever die?
Can modern day gadgets like mobile phones and the ‘http:\\ www’ era of internet bring you the love of your life?
You haven’t met her earlier, but commit to marry. Will you still call this a love marriage?
And what if on the engagement day while you pull the ring out from your pocket, you realize what you planned was just a dream which never comes true…?
How would you react when a beautiful person comes into your life, becomes your most precious possession and then one day goes away from you…forever?
Not all love stories are meant to have a perfect ending. Some stay incomplete. Yet they are beautiful in their own way. Ravin’s love story is one such innocent and beautiful story. He believes love stories seldom die. They are meant to stay for the generations yet to come and read them. And given that one chance to narrate his love story, this is how he began…
…I remember the date well: 4th March 2006. I was in Kolkata and about to reach Happy’s home. I had been very excited all morning as I was going to see our gang of four after three years.
About the Author
Ravinder Singh (26 years) is a software engineer who works with a prominent IT company in India.He was brought up in a very small town of Orissa called Burla. After spending most of his life there,he has recently moved to Chandigarh. Owing to the nature of his work, he has visited various parts of
the world and he wishes to continue doing the same in future. Apart from reading and writing, the author has a keen interest in working out in the gym.
Occasionally, he loves playing snooker; his favorite game. He is crazy about Punjabi music and loves dancing to its beats. ‘I too had a love story’ is his
debut novel.
P.S. Please don't make a trashy Hindi movie of this book adaptation. If you guys can't do justification don't ever make a movie.
Synopsis
Do love stories ever die?
Can modern day gadgets like mobile phones and the ‘http:\\ www’ era of internet bring you the love of your life?
You haven’t met her earlier, but commit to marry. Will you still call this a love marriage?
And what if on the engagement day while you pull the ring out from your pocket, you realize what you planned was just a dream which never comes true…?
How would you react when a beautiful person comes into your life, becomes your most precious possession and then one day goes away from you…forever?
Not all love stories are meant to have a perfect ending. Some stay incomplete. Yet they are beautiful in their own way. Ravin’s love story is one such innocent and beautiful story. He believes love stories seldom die. They are meant to stay for the generations yet to come and read them. And given that one chance to narrate his love story, this is how he began…
…I remember the date well: 4th March 2006. I was in Kolkata and about to reach Happy’s home. I had been very excited all morning as I was going to see our gang of four after three years.
About the Author
Ravinder Singh (26 years) is a software engineer who works with a prominent IT company in India.He was brought up in a very small town of Orissa called Burla. After spending most of his life there,he has recently moved to Chandigarh. Owing to the nature of his work, he has visited various parts of
the world and he wishes to continue doing the same in future. Apart from reading and writing, the author has a keen interest in working out in the gym.
Occasionally, he loves playing snooker; his favorite game. He is crazy about Punjabi music and loves dancing to its beats. ‘I too had a love story’ is his
debut novel.
December 10, 2013
Touching!!!
A friend of mine had recommended it to me... Though I've never been a big fan of young Indian authors, I thought, let's give it a try!! Before I started reading, I was in an impression that it's gonna be a normal good read... As I started, I found it gripping...
It is so beautifully written, I just couldn't resist the urge to read at one go... Each feeling of being in love is perfectly and purely described... It made me really emotional as it went ahead...
I wish the love story didn't have to end...
But as it's said - 'some are born just to experience the abbreviation of Love'
It's a book that will make you believe in love, if you don't... :)
Simply the sweetest...
A friend of mine had recommended it to me... Though I've never been a big fan of young Indian authors, I thought, let's give it a try!! Before I started reading, I was in an impression that it's gonna be a normal good read... As I started, I found it gripping...
It is so beautifully written, I just couldn't resist the urge to read at one go... Each feeling of being in love is perfectly and purely described... It made me really emotional as it went ahead...
I wish the love story didn't have to end...
But as it's said - 'some are born just to experience the abbreviation of Love'
It's a book that will make you believe in love, if you don't... :)
Simply the sweetest...
March 2, 2012
Lame, predictable, lousy and very filmy. Not sure if this is a true story, but it is truly inspired by Chetan Bhagat's writing. I wonder how he managed to write a sequel for such a lame plot! In all, a total waste of time.
November 25, 2011
I heard my friend warning me to read it carefully as it might make me cry. Yes, I am in love and its complicated. With all the high expectations I started exploring the book. I was disappointed. It is a pure juvenile writing. The author has killed all the emotions. The major hit for the sales could be coz of the story which is highly predictable.
The novel is full of passive voices.
One day I made her cry, she cried and then seeing her crying I cried. The sky cried.
Absolute bullshit.
There was not even meager emotional turmoil in me due to this book. I felt that the girl was awesome. Tats it.
Not a worthy read if you looking for nice literature.
The novel is full of passive voices.
One day I made her cry, she cried and then seeing her crying I cried. The sky cried.
Absolute bullshit.
There was not even meager emotional turmoil in me due to this book. I felt that the girl was awesome. Tats it.
Not a worthy read if you looking for nice literature.
November 20, 2020
Lovely story! The fact that this is a true story and written in pain and sorrow, you definitely can understand what the author has gone through. This seemed more like a story to let his emotions out than for us to sit and talk about it.
December 20, 2022
I didn't enjoy this story at all. I personally feel like this book is overhyped. The writing was very flat and boring. The characters were good though and the ending made me so emotional.
May 2, 2013
I had seen glimpses of this book here and there on various websites, but did not have the time or reason to give it a read. Recently a friend mentioned that the author is her friend’s relative and its a true story. So I grabbed a copy hoping it would be worth, but..I surely was disappointed. The plot is touching indeed, there is no doubt about that. Who wouldn’t want to read a love story about a couple who meet and part by death? The kernel of the story is pretty appealing with attributes like a foreword written by N.R. Narayana Murthy (ex-CEO and co-founder of Infosys) and the author being an MBA from a leading B-school in India. All these attract the readers, especially the teenage ones looking for some extra mush in their hectic lives. But, and there is a big BUT here, the writing style did not attract me at all. I confess I’m not a big fan of the recent ‘Indianized’ style of writing which most authors nowadays attempt to. Ravinder Singh is no exception as he writes lucidly in ‘Indian English’ with quite a lot of Hindi words interspersed. While his writing has earned him fans worldwide, I failed to find a single sentence written so beautifully that it would leave an imprint on my mind. The author has tried to explore very light eroticism in the romantic spots of the story, but it is so restrained that it doesn’t really make any sense to me.
I doubt if I have the credentials to judge an author so critically, but as a reader I expected better ways of expressing the content since the plot did not have any element of suspense or thrill. I did not like reading whole sentences and conversations in Hindi where the is novel supposedly written in English. I have no idea how the sequel would turn out to be, nonetheless, I’ll keep an eye on it too.
I doubt if I have the credentials to judge an author so critically, but as a reader I expected better ways of expressing the content since the plot did not have any element of suspense or thrill. I did not like reading whole sentences and conversations in Hindi where the is novel supposedly written in English. I have no idea how the sequel would turn out to be, nonetheless, I’ll keep an eye on it too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 21, 2011Hi everyone,
i like to read love stories a lot. when i heard about this book from one of my friend, i was pretty excited to read it. so i purchased it & yes from the starting itself it a very different & romantic kind of love story. this book express each feeling in the heart of the author & her girlfriend khushi. it means a lot to know the feeling of a girl & a boy in love. the last 4 to five pages of the book are really very sad & i read it with tears in my eye, as it toches u so deeply. i have always read love stories which have a happy ending, but this one was different.
i always wish that if the story have been with a happy ending it would have been similar to other books, but yes the author 'Ravinder singh' differentiates himself from this kind of ending.
it is one of the most heart touching love stories ever i read & my many many thanks to Ravinder Singh for writting such a heart touching story which would show the other side of the life too.
i like to read love stories a lot. when i heard about this book from one of my friend, i was pretty excited to read it. so i purchased it & yes from the starting itself it a very different & romantic kind of love story. this book express each feeling in the heart of the author & her girlfriend khushi. it means a lot to know the feeling of a girl & a boy in love. the last 4 to five pages of the book are really very sad & i read it with tears in my eye, as it toches u so deeply. i have always read love stories which have a happy ending, but this one was different.
i always wish that if the story have been with a happy ending it would have been similar to other books, but yes the author 'Ravinder singh' differentiates himself from this kind of ending.
it is one of the most heart touching love stories ever i read & my many many thanks to Ravinder Singh for writting such a heart touching story which would show the other side of the life too.
September 15, 2011
Written using extremely simplistic language with stilted and repetitive dialogues that made the story sound at times like a bad play, and at others like a last-ditch attempt infomercial to sell a product that no one wants to buy. Did not hold my attention long enough to make me want to continue beyond the first few pages.
June 9, 2012
This might just seem offensive but as everyone has been entitled some different frames of reference,so do the reviews differ. I read the book as soon as one of my friends suggested me, and oh my god. Well, honestly I'd call that day a wasted one - just another love story with another predictable plot and a very lovey-dovey narration. I do love the genre romance, yes I LOVE it! Yet, this was a disappointment. I wish I never read this one - never. Opinions may differ,i know, but make a choice before reading it - Think about it twice, or thrice maybe!
Peace out!
Peace out!
November 4, 2011
good plot, but very very very bad writing. i found myself skipping lines in order to get over with the overly detailed stuff. She was beautiful, we get it. You are in love with her, we get it. Yours is a "unique" story, we get that too. Just get over it already, and move ahead. not at all well written and dragged along. should've hired a ghost writer to write it down. disappointed.
July 23, 2018
its easy reading book, the story is of Ravin and Khushi, who gets connected through a matrimony site.
and plans their life together, but khushi meets with an accident and dies.. readers feels for the Ravin because he was serious for the relationship, its a flat story, no ups and down, no thrills and suspense created, i would give 2 star, though i believe many readers can relate with the story and their opinion could be more favourable to this book..
and plans their life together, but khushi meets with an accident and dies.. readers feels for the Ravin because he was serious for the relationship, its a flat story, no ups and down, no thrills and suspense created, i would give 2 star, though i believe many readers can relate with the story and their opinion could be more favourable to this book..
August 1, 2014
first of all, lets not compare Indian authors with the western authors. keeping that in mind, the book is gud and touching. sadly the narration is not up to the mark. you can sympathise with the author but it doesnt go beyond that. there are a few places where the tale gets mushy and u cant help but roll ur eyes. also the comments in the brackets make the book look more like a personal diary than a bestseller. the forced humour is also a turn off at a few places.
while reading it, almost every person who has been/is in love will relate to the book, cry over it and the book will find a place in their heart. but thats the emotional side of us doing all this. if u sit down and think rationally, a few evident loop holes will definitely surface.
i am not here to criticise Indian authors bcoz its not going to fetch me a prize. in my opinion, it is a gud thing the author shared his story with us but it wasnt that exciting. there is plenty of room for improvement.
the "die hard romantic" side of me enjoyed the book but the "serious reader" side was disappointed. so if ur heart rules ur head, go read the book but if your head rules your heart, please grab a copy of a sci-fi book instead.
while reading it, almost every person who has been/is in love will relate to the book, cry over it and the book will find a place in their heart. but thats the emotional side of us doing all this. if u sit down and think rationally, a few evident loop holes will definitely surface.
i am not here to criticise Indian authors bcoz its not going to fetch me a prize. in my opinion, it is a gud thing the author shared his story with us but it wasnt that exciting. there is plenty of room for improvement.
the "die hard romantic" side of me enjoyed the book but the "serious reader" side was disappointed. so if ur heart rules ur head, go read the book but if your head rules your heart, please grab a copy of a sci-fi book instead.
February 25, 2012
Though I appreciate the intent and emotions behind Ravinder's story and the amount of personal courage and desperate longing in writing this, I just can't forgive the bad writing from a obviously first-time writer. While the editors may have decided to let the book follow the natural flow of the author, there's a reason they have a job and a role in the industry.
January 25, 2016
It saddens me what passes for literature these days... Ravinder Singh is in need of a thesaurus, a dictionary, and all the Wren and Martin grammar books in the world. Jesus Christ, this is utter crap.
May 3, 2016
i swear, i was emotionally blackmailed to read this book -_-
1 star for the story and content.
another 1 for the efforts author took to publish and market it to a sensational hit ( total 2 stars for book)
last 1 star for the person who demanded me to read it. -_-
1 star for the story and content.
another 1 for the efforts author took to publish and market it to a sensational hit ( total 2 stars for book)
last 1 star for the person who demanded me to read it. -_-
November 3, 2011
The author tells his love story through this book. It has a tragic end, which explains the past tense of the title. It is the love story of Ravin and Khushi. The author tells how he met the girl of her dreams and how their love bloomed. But, things doesn't happen as he had thought as destiny had other plans for them. Giving out more about the story would not do justice to any aspiring readers. So, read the book to find out more. Having said that,I must add that if you are looking for a literary piece than it's not one. If you are looking for a meticulously crafted plot in the story, it doesn't have one. What catches your attention in this book, is the simplicity of the book and the honesty with which the author has written it, and that this story is based on his own love story makes you empathize with the author for having gone through a difficult patch in life.
The story is plainly written yet beautifully executed. All emotions conveyed through the story are delivered. It is indeed a touching love story and it did struck a chord in my heart.
It is the kind of book I would prefer when I am in a mood for a light read.
The author has put his heart and soul in writing this book.It will stay in your mind long after you have read it.
The story is plainly written yet beautifully executed. All emotions conveyed through the story are delivered. It is indeed a touching love story and it did struck a chord in my heart.
It is the kind of book I would prefer when I am in a mood for a light read.
The author has put his heart and soul in writing this book.It will stay in your mind long after you have read it.
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