One Indian Girl – book review

One Indian Girl is a 2016 novel and, thankfully, the last novel by Chetan Bhagat, at least for now! This is nothing sort of an Indian version of a mini EL James kind of sexual excursion taken by the protagonist Radhika Mehta, who remembers nothing else about her feministic rights but just having sex and having worked for big companies and having a lot of money. Well, Chetan Bhagat might have talked to the feministic women of his liking, maybe. However, he should know that many patriarchal women, too, have sex, and he might be one of the products of one such woman!

One Indian Girl has nothing to do with novel writing tactics’ lefts and rights as it aims to please the readers by different means, mostly sexual-textual ramblings. He has also been successful; one has to admit this without any denial. Most modern authors try to woo their readers just by offering them something to have with them in their bed and enjoy—like a movie with many item numbers and many sex scenes.

Like many of Chetan Bhagat’s protagonists, Radhika Mehta is a typical IIM-A and IIT girl who leaves the country just like the author did. She lands a good job and a somehow good boyfriend who is afraid of marriage. She breaks up and leaves for another country only to find another boyfriend who is somewhat older than her, but her feministic instinct does not forbid her from sharing a bed with a married guy. These are the new feministic ideals, nevertheless!

Are you that one critic who likes aesthetic criticism? I will give you that. Don’t worry.

One Indian Girl: A Misguided Attempt at Feminism and Fiction: Chetan Bhagat’s “One Indian Girl,” released in 2016, marks what we hope is the nadir of his literary career. Unfortunately, this novel stands as a testament to Bhagat’s misunderstanding of feminism and the craft of novel writing. Instead of exploring the complexities of modern Indian women’s lives, Bhagat delivers a narrative that feels more like an Indian rendition of a cheap, erotic novel, akin to the works of E.L. James but without global intrigue or literary finesse.

A Protagonist Lacking Depth: Radhika Mehta, the protagonist, is Bhagat’s attempt at creating a feminist icon. However, she’s portrayed as a caricature rather than a character. Her identity revolves around her sexual escapades, her high-flying job, and her bank balance, which Bhagat seems to think are the pinnacle of female empowerment. This portrayal not only trivializes the concept of feminism but also suggests a shallow understanding of what makes a woman complex and interesting beyond her physical relationships. Bhagat’s dialogue with feminist women seems limited to those who fit his preconceived notions, ignoring the vast spectrum of feminist thought and action.

Narrative Tactics or Lack Thereof: “One Indian Girl” doesn’t engage with the art of storytelling beyond the most basic level. It’s a book designed to titillate rather than provoke thought or offer a nuanced narrative. Bhagat’s strategy appears to be to throw in enough sex scenes and controversial content to keep readers turning pages, much like a Bollywood film with excessive item numbers and melodrama. This approach might garner sales, but it does so at the expense of literary integrity. The novel’s success in this regard is undeniable, but it’s a success that comes at the cost of being remembered for its content rather than its craft.

The Misadventure of Radhika Mehta: Radhika’s journey from an IIT-IIM graduate to a globe-trotting professional could have been a rich tapestry of ambition, cultural clashes, and personal growth. Instead, Bhagat reduces her to a series of sexual conquests and professional achievements, as if these are the only facets of her life worth exploring. Her relationships, particularly with older, married men, are presented with a veneer of empowerment. Still, this portrayal feels more like a fantasy of male wish fulfilment than a genuine exploration of modern relationships. Bhagat’s attempt to weave feminism into this narrative falls flat, as true feminism would advocate for more than just sexual liberation; it would delve into equality, respect, and the right to define one’s path without societal or authorial judgment.

A Missed Opportunity for Insightful Commentary: The novel could have been a platform for insightful commentary on the Indian diaspora, the pressures of corporate life, or the evolving role of women in society. Instead, it opts for the lowest common denominator, focusing on sex as the primary narrative driver. This choice undermines the potential for a meaningful discussion on contemporary issues. It reduces the novel to a series of erotic vignettes, lacking the emotional depth or intellectual stimulation one might expect from literature.

The Reader’s Predicament: For readers looking for substance, “One Indian Girl” offers little beyond its superficial allure. It’s a book you might read for its shock value or its portrayal of sex, but it fails to engage on any more profound level. Bhagat’s narrative style, while accessible, lacks the sophistication or literary merit that would make it a novel worth revisiting. It’s akin to reading a series of erotic short stories, but with the added disappointment that it’s penned by someone who has been hailed as a voice of Indian youth.

Conclusion:

“One Indian Girl” by Chetan Bhagat is a missed opportunity wrapped in a veneer of modern Indian life. It’s a work that might entertain in the most basic sense but fails to enlighten, challenge, or even genuinely entertain beyond its controversial content. Bhagat’s attempt to merge feminism with fiction results in a narrative that feels both exploitative and shallow, leaving readers to wonder if this is the best we can expect from contemporary Indian literature. Perhaps, in the future, Bhagat might consider exploring his characters’ rich, complex lives beyond their bedrooms, offering readers something more than just a titillating read.

You will find a lot to read repeatedly if you are also one of those readers who enjoy reading one part by EL James 9 times! Otherwise, nothing in the book could make you feel like reading a novel. It’s just a first-person, overly erotic story that you can read on many sex stories websites. Nevertheless, there, the storytellers are not Chetan Bhagat!

Have a happy reading!