Half girl friend by Chetan Bhagat

I was eagerly waiting for Chetan Bhagat’s Half girlfriend release. A day before the release, gave a pre order for half girl friend in Flipkart. With lot of expectations and eagerness, the book was released on October 1, 2014 and got the copy on October 2, 2014.

A rural Dumraon village boy Madhav arrived in the capital city for his higher studies but more than studies he met his life and soul in the city; someone who impressed him with the sports, beauty and grace. He always felt something for her when she was close to him, his life felt complete and meaningful from the moment he met the basketball friend Riya, whom he gave different nick names, who considered him a good friend. Riya is a typical Indian girl in her thoughts and behaviour.

Always she refused to be his girl friend but willing to be half girl friend. She was a cool, charming, tall, fair and young girl from a high class family. Class distinction, the attitude difference of rich class people and rural people is portrayed by the writer. I never felt a created or cooked up feel while reading it, because almost the entire thoughts, situations and dialogues were apt for the characters and story.

The backward condition of Bihar, children having no toilets or basic amenities inside the school campuses, lack of infrastructure of schools in rural areas and the working of the politicians in such areas are pictured well. Grants given by Bill Gates foundation and their work in India have emphasis. The real face of Bihar politics is drawn well through his words. India and New York are the story location of half girl friend. 260 page book which takes no long time to finish.

Somewhere we can easily relate to our own life situations, we feel I have met this character sometime in my life. Good work by Chetan which is simple and cool like his other works.

Sharing some quotes from half girl friend

An army of intellectual men cannot solve the riddle created by an indecisive woman

Girls never tell you anything straight out anyway you have to interpolate and extrapolate their responses to figure out what’s on their mind.

Respect however can’t be bought. You have to earn it. Live with dignity. Live for others that is how you earn respect. I am not sure whether this statement is the reason for Riya’s behaviour.

Girl friends come and go thank god mothers don’t break up with you.

Almost everywhere girls are portrayed like this .