Book Review - 2 States

Recently, I joined a new company which is located in the heart of Chennai. After the initial induction process got over, I was allocated a system and asked to setup the initial configuration. The configuration process took a couple of hours to complete. Once this was done, as I was just wondering how I could while away the rest of my time, I came across an e-book - Chetan Bhagat's "2 States - The Story of My Marriage". Needless to say, the next 2 days I was found fully engrossed in the book and could not rest until I completed the 300 page thriller. Here, I would like to present a short review of this book from an Indian's perspective.

This book clearly portrays the current day difficulties faced by Indian youth in convincing their parents to convert their love marriage into an arranged marriage. In today's life, the most common scenario is - Girl is educated - Boy is educated - Girl is employed - Boy is employed. The crux of the problem here is not if the match is good but rather in bringing the two communities together. Bhagat brings this out clearly in his book, where from the onset; the boy's parents are starkly against the girl's community and are prejudiced against the girl, solely based on her community. Also, the blind truth about Indian marriage system is clearly highlighted, where the guy's parents are mainly interested in what the bahu brings home rather than the bahu itself.

Things kickoff in the wrong direction in the very first meeting of the two families itself , with the meeting culminating in both their families going their separate ways. It all begins when the guy (Krish) joins his first job in Citibank with his posting in Chennai which turns out to be the girl's (Ananya) native. The story revolves around how Krish eventually brings around Ananya's family, in a city where everything is new to him and where he is not able to relate to anything. Initially, Krish gains entry into Ananya's home by taking IIT tuitions for Ananya's brother. Later on, he slowly wins over her father by helping him in a major presentation for his office, which brings upon a new change in his career. Later, when Krish embarks Ananya's mother onto the stage to showcase her carnatic talents, the path is set. The best part of the book or rather my favorite part comes when Krish asks Ananya's family for permission to marry Ananya. Rather, his words are "I, Krish would like to propose to all of you (meaning to Ananya, her mom, dad and brother). Would all of you marry me? ". This is the initial turning point in the book which clearly brings about the fact about Indian marriages that you will not be marrying a person but rather a family. This brings about a change in Ananya's parents who then give the initial go-ahead for marriage between the two.

Now, after the initial hurdle is overcome, the story moves on to a much more daunting task - that of getting Krish’s parents to accept Ananya. This seems to be an even more impossible task as Krish's mom is rude to Ananya right from the outset and things become worse for the couple. We have another twist in the story when Krish and Ananya decide to attend their cousin's marriage at Delhi. When Krish's family face a problem with the sasuraal at the 11th hour of marriage , Ananya intercedes and makes the guy see reason. At this point, the Punjabis or Krish's family get to know more about the other side of Ananya and Krish's mom reluctantly accepts to meet Ananya’s parents. The third stage of the battle begins.

Once again, both the families decide to get together and this time, they meet at the common venue - Goa. One thing leads to another and acerbic comments passed by Krish's mother on Ananya's family splits the reunion yet again. Krish's mom only wants her ego to be appeased and feels that Ananya's family did not treat them in a manner befitting a groom. Ananya was not suited to her family as she could get many more daughter-in-law's bringing in more worth or money than Ananya. She insults Ananya's family and Tamilians on a whole which deeply hurts Ananya's parents. This time, the separation seems to be permanent and no amount of pleas by Krish could pacify Ananya .As a dejected Krish almost gets into a nervous breakdown on account of his break-up with Ananya, the inevitable happens and Krish’s dad so far the protagonist of the story intercedes and helps convince Ananya's parents about the marriage.

Both sides prepare for the wedding and the most awaited D-day finally arrives. Ananya Swaminathan becomes Ananya Krish. However, on finishing the book, the most dominant thought in my mind was that Krish and Ananya finally got their parents convinced for their marriage, but what about their life after marriage? How will Krish’s mom now react to Ananya, as the animosity between Ananya and her is still evident? Will Krish's mom now completely accept Ananya who is a girl from a different community and who she believes has somehow brainwashed her only son - remains to be seen.

On the whole, Bhagat here has achieved a himalayan task in clearly bringing about the difficulties faced by today's young couples in convincing their parents of their love, while at the same time introducing proper doses of love, wit and drama. "2 States" by Chetan Bhagat - definitely a good book to be read by all Indian youth , who are in love or aspiring to be in love.