The 3 mistakes of my life – Review

This is the new novel by “Chetan Bhagat”, and those who have already read 5 point someone or one night @ call centre would not need any introduction. For those who haven’t, please grab a copy of 5 point someone and finish it off. It is worth reading. I would not say the same for one night @ call centre though. Anyways, let’s get to the purpose of this blog and that is the review of his latest venture.

There are few things we Indian can not live without. They are
1. Religion
2. Politics
3. Cricket and
4. Emotions

And if the story includes friendship, father-son troubled relationship, mom-son bonding, love angle with your best friend’s sister, urge for success, riots, cricket matches, deaths of beloved one and finally suicide, I think the entire gamut of emotions are covered. Chetan has done exactly the same. He knows what the pulse of an Indian reader is. Everyone can identify with a guy who wants to make it big in his own business, a guy who wanted to be a cricketer but failed badly, a guy who just has no aim in his life and can do anything for his friends, a girl who just wants to be free from the clutches of small town family mindset etc.

The basic plotline is similar to 5 point someone, with three friends and there struggle for success, their mistakes and the outcome of it. The only thing is setup is much bigger and real here to accommodate the entire generation of youth as the audience rather than keeping it to handful which was the case with 5 point someone.

There are few things which are worth mentioning

1. CB wanted to keep the setup as a small town so that to connect to the larger group. The city (Ahmedabad) chosen was perfect as it has all the development and infrastructure a big city would boast of but still it contains the small town mentality.

2. The entire story was given a real feel so that readers feel as one of the protagonists portrayed. CB has brought himself intelligently in the narrative to bring that authentic feel. The timing of the entire setup was chosen such that it could encompass the real events like ‘Bhuj earthquake’, ‘historical match between India and Australia’, ‘godhra kand’ etc which enhances the real feel.

3. He has applied the optimization techniques (might be learned in MBA school) on each emotion and dished out a very perfect balanced and tasty story.

4. “3 mistakes” captures a reality where young people in small town India are less likely to make out in bars and discos than on building terrace. The Indian style love story where ‘true-close-friendship’ can happen while studying maths problems together rather than at a coffee shop – especially in small town India.

5. The feisty of a small town girl where medical entrance exam is just an excuse to escape to an anonymous place. Where your brother won’t be standing by to thrash every guy who gives you a second glance.

There are number of pitfalls as well. There is nothing much in terms of the literary content in the novel and if you are looking for some real good literary work then please keep away. This is pure masala. The climax is bit filmy and the end was predictable. There are some sequences which does not seem believable, like the kid flying to Australia for cricket training etc.

I feel he is more of a script writer rather than a novelist. His language is lucid, fast paced and youthful. Something that we loved in films like “Socha na tha” and “Jab we met” (Both by Imtiaz Ali and recently Chetan Bhagat has teamed up with Imitiaz for a film. Hope it delivers double shot keeping the fact it conjure the efforts of 2 calibre person)

To cut the story short, if you are looking for some light and masala read, pick up a copy.