And more specially, this book is about da subtle chemistry dat flows among friends, especially in the college-hostel life. Probably dat is why I can connect with da characters.

It's even more interesting because it's written by someone who teaches at IITD now. It took me a long time to realise that Professors are human beings too, who have a life beyond the classrooms, labs and their offices. I still tend to forget that at time. We don't have labs at my present college though.

For a couple of days after reading this book, I longed to have gone to an IIT. In fact I sat and idly fantasized about taking the JEE again after I'm done with my Masters.

There have been other books about the IIT experience. And like most  other reviewers, I like this one better.

Romance in the novel works as the subliminal force ....isnt thats how it is in college...I guess that is reason why its such a rivetting read... you are spared the sickening embrace of love and infatuation ..which suffocates you no end in some of the avante garde novels written on similar lines...

In this book, you can tell the author cares about his story and its meanings, and he’s not just telling it to entertain (or sell humungous print runs).

I have a feeling that Bagchi’s book will last, while Bhagat’s might not. Bhagat’s book is not ambitious; it does what it sets out to do very competently and in that sense is more successful than Above Average. But it doesn’t remain in your mind. This one does.

The honesty in the narration and the humor in even sad situations makes it a very enjoyable read. And you really don't have to be an IITian to get the book.

If you have ever felt the desire to be some one in your life then this book will find an instant connect with you, because its all about growing up, fighting to be the best, well almost the best .

The book has a non linear narration which seems absurdly random at times but a careful reader will be able to appreciate the jumps in the thought process of the narrator. It is the USP of the book. The book also describes the campus life in a much better manner compared to FPS.
.....My rating: Above Average :)

And there are lines which completely leave you in a mist of awe. You are left with nothing but appreciating the beautiful way they have been penned down.

Excerpted from the blog Between Friends:

To identify with the story, the plot.... one need not be from IIT, or an engineer for that matter (though for this breed it's a life they know, they have seen, they are living!!)...... one just needs to be human.

Click here to read the entire blog entry. (Warning: contains plot spoilers.)

In terms of clarity and detail, I would compare Amitabh with the stand-up comedian Raju Shrivastav. Amitabh has used each and every detail specially around IIT life to create humour which makes you laugh or feel pity on IITians at times.

But I think if one can't enjoy Mr. Bagchi's writing style, the book may turn out to be somewhat unsatisfactory. I thoroughly did. And to be honest, I think this is the first book I would wanna read over and over again. I've liked many books, but this is one I can truly relate to. And for all the readers who enjoy empathizing with one or the other characters in a novel this is a treat. But this is no five point someone where we read over the top fiascos happening like quotidian events with these three peculiar students. This is if I may say, real.

It would have been easy to be too clever or too dramatic in writing this book, but it's a trap that Bagchi successfully avoids. And because he does the book has a certain basic authenticity, a sense of genuineness, of fundamental honesty. It's a quality that's rare enough to be worth admiring.

The melancholy that informs the narrative is often yoked with droll humor. In one instance when Rindu's romantic notions of reading to his girlfriend have just been abruptly dispelled he tells us "The truth of what she said rang through my mind like the proof of a theorem." It's a style that is emblematic of the book itself - one that makes you want to chuckle and sigh in the same breath.

Excerpted from Amitava Kumar's blog: 

Is it possible to review a book after having read only the first chapter?

While waiting for your answer, a quick word about Amitabha Bagchi's debut novel Above Average. The voice is part-Upamanyu Chatterjee and part-Amitav Ghosh. I have just started reading it and like it because of lines like these: "When we entered the train compartment in which Agrawals Classes had booked all of us, one of the Papas decided to ensure that we all sit together. 'Please bhaisahab,' he said, hectoring one passenger after another, 'adjust a little...

Click here to read the entire entry on the blog. 

Or here to read it on India Uncut.

The second half of the book really came together for me. Maybe that was when the housing colony angst bits and the aspiring rock star angst bits gave way to the academic life angst bits. I found myself identifying / identifying with aspects of every other character described there -- from the wannabe "great theoretician" who went all practical in making his life's biggest decision to the guy who proudly ditched his grades in courses he considered non-essential to the acerbic squash-playing professor. Sure, there were threads that seemed to make no sense. And there was a little bit of maudlin stuff and a little bit of self-conscious sex and a little bit of gratuitous violence. But that's life, right? The last fifty pages I didn't want the book to end.

I liked its descriptions of life in Delhi, and its descriptions of human relationships. I had fun reading it, and while I was deeply disappointed that no aliens from outer space landed by page 70 of the book, I do recommend it.