Book Review - Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat

The story - Once upon a time in small-town India, there lived two intelligent boys.

 One wanted to use his intelligence to use his intelligence to make money.

One wanted to use his intelligence to start a revolution.

The problem was, they both loved the same girl.

Welcome to Revolution 2020. A story about childhood friends Gopal, Raghav and Aarti who struggle to find success, love and happiness in Varanasi. However, it is not easy to attain these in an unfair society that rewards the corrupt. As Gopal gives in to the system, and Raghav fights it, who will win?

My take- This is one book which I have been waiting to get my hands on since the day it got out. After hearing mixed reviews, I was dying to read it and find out for myself. Finally I got my hands on it and finished it off in one day. Yes, this novel, like all all the previous works' of Chetan Bhagat keeps you hooked right from the first page. A very intriguing prologue keeps you curious and the novel moves at a fast pace to keep you engaged throughout the whole story. 

My first thought when I read about the story was that it would be written from the point of Raghav ( who I assumed would be the protagonist), as it is him who fights against the corrupt system. But I was in for a surprise when I found out that the whole narrative was from the stand point of Gopal. He is a character who is innocent in the beginning and turns to corrupt ways due to the plain unfairness of the society. Though he has a lot of negative shades, one cannot help but sympathize with him towards the end of the book. 

Aarti, is the female character who is loved by both Gopal and Raghav and one has to read the novel to find out whom she chooses. Like all the previous female characters of Chetan Bhagat's novels, she is the ideal beautiful and gorgeous girl whom all the guys want to make theirs. ( I wonder why the females have to be so perfect in all his novels?! Couldn't they be not so perfect!) 

Anyways, coming back to the story, Raghav is the one who wants to start a revolution in the country by 2020. Hence, the title, Revolution 2020. The book handles some serious issues faced in the education system and the Government of India. The viewpoint of Gopal narrating his torturous days of facing the entrance exams and getting into the engineering college, IIT (which is the dream of the majority of Indian parents) is very well expressed. Students can definitely relate to this novel as it is something which we all would have faced. Also, the bribery system that is very prevalent in the Indian Government offices are also tackled here. This is the story which is very much happening around us. The backdrop of Varanasi is also significant as it the place where people come to wash off their sins. A well written narration about the place is also one of the plus points of the book.

However, though the story kept me engaged till the end, I couldn't help but compare it to Chetan Bhagat's previous works. Somewhere I felt that some of his previous novels like Five point someone, One night at the Call centre and 2 states- the story of my marriage were much better. (The view point is solely my own and may not be shared by others) Do give this one a shot as the story is sure to make you think though it can be considered a light read.