Ask Cash What You Will Reviewing Books, Movies, Recipies, Places, Shops, Parenting Techniques, and My Life!

I had enjoyed Chetan Bhagat’s “Five Point Someone”, “One Night at a Call Center” and “The Three Mistakes of My Life” immensely. So I had great expectations from his fourth and latest novel, “Two States.” The fact that it was based on a mixed community marriage was also a draw to a person who is a product of a mixed marriage herself. Not to mention that she is married to a product of an other mixed marriage.

The main character couple is endearing and real. The numerous relatives of the North Indian Punjabi side are as hilarious as the South Indian Tamil Brahmin side. Put a Tam Bam and a Panju together and there are bound to be fireworks. The disastrous first meeting of the Boy’s mother with the Girl’s family at their convocation was so funny. I was actually picturing the two groups at their antagonistic best.

I loved the way the Boy worked his charm on each family member of the Girl’s immediate family. The  early morning IIT tuition for the brother in law to be, the power point presentation for the father in law to be, the singing gig for prospective mom in law, it was all knit together so well. Really loved the way he proposed to the whole family instead of just the Girl.

Naturally the antics of the large extended Punjabi family at a wedding were funny, at the same time they were heart rendering sweet. The drunk Uncle who thought every function was a competition between the families. The Aunt who thought they were fools to refuse the “wedding gift” from the Girl’s family. The cousins who were sneaking vodka under the noses of the elders, its all so life like and real.

I felt it was rather like a good Bollywood blockbuster movie. All of us know the storyline and we still go and see the movie. That is in fact what happened with this book as well.  Highly recommended if you are looking for a light read.