Author: Chetan Bhagat
This is the first paperback novel I have read. I bought this book on a roadside side stall selling it for 50 years on a second-hand sale. And I never regretted buying it.
Getting inside the review… Radhika’s character was well-designed and well-portrayed. She is clear about what she wants and what she does.
The story shows how a woman feels or struggles with the involvement of men despite having a successful career. And how they were forced to choose either a career or a home.
First, Debashish (Debu) wants a housewife who cooks and cleans for him and bears his children. he wants a submissive woman, not a confident, independent, or working woman who hurts his pride and ego.
Second, Neel wanted her to be his excitement, not the woman of his life. In his ideology, women can either be career-women or homemakers.
Third, Radhika’s mother is one of those characters who represent useless societal standards and opinions on women. A woman is meant to be a submissive and lifelong wife but not a career woman. A career woman is someone who will never be a ‘good’ wife.
Fourth, Brijesh is the guy who respects women for what they are. He might not be perfect, but he’s still a good guy. Even though… his character has less life compared with other characters… he is still the most impactful character in the book. His character perfectly portrays the motto that women are made for both career and motherhood, not just one.
Every part of this story was written very well and executed well. For Chetan Bhagat, being a male author, writing a book from a female perspective highlighting the issues a woman faces due to the messed up ideology that this society possesses on them is really hard. But he did it. That’s very appreciable. The best part is… this book is very realistic.
In a single line… this book says… Women shall have both careers and motherhood. These things shouldn’t come down to ‘choices’ but by birth.
Would I read this again? Hell yes!!
I lost count of the times I reread this book.