Book Review:- HALF GIRLFRIEND by Chetan Bhagat

I know, I am late but anyways, Today the book I am going to review is none other than the famous and controversial Half-Girlfriend by the one and only CHETAN BHAGAT. Finally Chetan Bhagat is back after a very long time ( almost 3 years) since Revolution 2020 which came out in 2011. Honestly, Chetan Bhagat’s recent novel Half Girlfriend with its strange title was a typical bollywood film type story but still I liked it, because somehow, I’m a typical bollywood girl. 🙂

Yes it is not Bhagat’s best work, according to me his best work was “Two States” undoubtedly. ‘Two States’ was my first read and still my favorite, I love that book, so I think CB’s best work was 2 States. 🙂
Anyways, I ordered Half Girlfriend on Amazon.in and it arrived right on time. Now let’s begin with the story, well It is a simple and total Bollywood story. The story revolves around a Bihari boy called Madhav Jha who is from a village called Dumraon and a rich girl called Riya Somani from Delhi. Madhav and Riya both are basketball players. During the trail match for St. Stephan College’s examination Madhav met Riya, and just like most of the love story starts, Madhav instantly falls in love with Riya. Madhav wanted a relationship and not only friendship but Riya only agrees to be his half-girlfriend.

I just not liked but I LOVED the character of Riya Somani, maybe because I am 80% like her 😛 While reading the book, I was easily able to relate myself with RIYA. I love her character the mosttttt! ❤ There were so much love, love, love and emotions in the book. I liked the message that “when a person really like or love anyone, no matter how ‪hard or difficult the situation is they’ll find a way to make it a success and never ever leave you.” And as I said, I am a typical bollywood girl, So it reminds me the famous dialogue from Om Shanti Om
“Kehte hain…..Agar kisi cheez ko sachche dil se chaahon to poori kayanat usey tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hain” 😛 (People say that if you love someone with your heart then the whole world tries to get you close to him/her).
And, the story of Half Girlfriend is exactly like the dialogue. 🙂

I liked the story, it’ll make you cry, it’ll make you laugh. Overall It is a good and common love story with lots of twist and turns and the author also highlighted some of the social problems in the book. The language is so simple. Chetan Bhagat writes in a very simple language easily understandable by most people. According to me the only bad thing about this book is that it is more of a film script than a novel.

I don’t know why a lot of people have issues with Bhagat’s English. I know he writes in simple English but still he is the biggest selling English language Novelist in India’s history and Time Magazine named him as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. I actually like his writing, his English and his novels. I’ve read so much worse books and I can tell you that it is a lot better than those books. I know its not his best work but it is not too bad that you cannot read it. It is a good book and I liked it. But if you want to read Half Girlfriend, Read the book without lot of expectations.

Some interesting quotes from Half-Girlfriend:

“Sometimes following your heart leads you nowhere”

“Survived, yes. Lived, no.”

“Girlfriends come and go but, thank God, mothers don’t break up with you”

“ If you crush a flower before it blooms, will it bloom as bright later?”

“Live with dignity. Live for others. That is how one earns Respect.”

“Don’t quit. It will happen one day.”

I found Half Girlfriend to be as entertaining as any good Bollywood movie with ‘happy ending’. All in all it is a simple and nice book and as always Chetan Bhagat’s book keep you holding till the end. I liked Bhagat’s writing style. It is a one time read. You can read this book if you are a Chetan Bhagat fan (like me) and if you like his romantic flicks, otherwise don’t read it.

And one more thing, I am sure that it will definitely make a good Bollywood Blockbuster 😉 I hope, they will cast Arjun Kapoor for Madhav’s character and Kriti Sanon for Riya’s character. They both will look nice and will make a great pair! 🙂

So, Have you read it? What’s your view? 🙂