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Complete/Convenient: Book Review

By Nagarathna Andanappa

Ketan Bhagat is definite to impress you with his debut novel. Though the name of the book Complete/Convenient seems strange, it is completely justified. It takes you to the journey from Complete level, which is India to Convenient level, that is abroad.

Story: The book is about a young IT professional, Kabir who always dreams big, his girlfriend, Myra, whom he later marries, and about both families. Kabir works in India, in Satyamev, earns salary of 10 lakhs, and dreams big. Life changes when he gets married to his girlfriend and shifts to Australia. He thinks that life abroad is wonderful, luxurious, but changes and struggles make him realise that life in India is far much better.

Complete/Convenient: Book Review

What's Good: Few places in the book will definitely make you chuckle. The bachelor party, Punjabi wedding is definitely a fun read. How Kabir struggles to marry his girlfriend, impresses her family, and also how his family reacts to his love marriage is well written. The differences and difficulties between Myra and Kabir's mother, and how Kabir manages, is also well written (after marriage). How Myra gets jealous, when Kabir had to deal with his lady customer, is described perfectly. Last but not the least, how Kabir realises that Indian friends are more emotionally connected than friends in Australia is touching.

Drawbacks: The first and foremost drawback is its length. Every scene is explained in detail. At few places the comparison of India and abroad may seem irritating. If the length was chopped-off a bit, it would have been good. Secondly, there are many Punjabi and Hindi words/sentences in the book, few of which have not been translated to English. Few scenes may seem filmy too.

Who Can Read The Book: The language in which the story is narrated is very simple, and any one can relate this story with their life. It's not necessary that only an NRI can read this, it can be read by anyone and everyone. It's a must read for those who think living abroad is amazing and without any complications. It is also a must read for those who think that people who live abroad are happy. This book always reminds you that life in India is complete and in abroad it's convenient.

IMPORTANT: Note to all readers - Do not compare Ketan Bhagat's Book with his brother Chetan Bhagat's, only then it will be a fun read.

About The Author: Creative at heart, Ketan has done stints in Television (anchor, script writer) and Print (articles in national dailies) during his college days. Few years ago, he helped his brother Chetan Bhagat script a Bollywood movie.

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