Two Fates, The story of my Divorce: Book Review

Once again, I was offered the opportunity to review a book by the fabulous blogadda team. So here’s my review of ‘Two Fates – The Story of my Divorce’ by Judy Balan

Review

The story takes off from where Chetan Bhagat’s ‘Two States – The story of my marriage’ ends. As Mr. C.B. is really not my favourite author, I was a bit apprehensive to start off the novel when I read the author acknowledge CB’s Two States novel as the starting point of her story….but anyways, the prologue starts off at a shrink’s office where a guy wants divorce and then the shrink starts telling him a story; a story about her own divorce.

The story then starts with the couple in middle of bickering quarrels in different situations (at a family wedding, in the car etc.), which leads them to the ultimate solution, which is divorce. However, it seems from their respective families that getting a divorce seems harder than getting married for them (which is an inter-caste Punjabi –tamil marriage, just like the one in CB’s novel)….as their families by now are completely in love with each other. This is depicted by various situations, some of which seem a bit over the top for me (totally melodramatic!!).  Not only that, the families now wants them to make babies!! (which I found to be a perfectly normal and acceptable situation as every DINK couple in today’s times is pressured by their families to do just that!!) The story then follows a lots of twists and turns (which involve a forced honeymoon planned by families, a second love affair & impending marriage between the families, lots of obnoxious relatives’ and visits to gynaecologist), all the while couple are planning their divorce, which they manage to get clandestinely without any one of the families knowing. Now, while I found some of the twists and turns interesting, the dialogues between various characters’ and some characters themselves seemed to be a bit too clichéd for my liking.  However, just when they get divorced, they realise two very important things, they are mainly unhappy coz of their professional choices and non-communication with each other. And the fact, that they really are only compatible with each other and no one else. This realisation seems to change both of them instantly and then they begin to work on their relationship (not marriage mind you!!) and decide to get married to each other again.  In my opinion, the author scores the biggest point in bringing out beautifully what ails all young couples’ today – the lack of communication in a marriage, which is the biggest spoiler in the relationship.   Also, the author subtly brings out through the inner thoughts of the protagonists’ (and their conversations) the fact that a relationship truly starts after marriage (whether arranged or love!!), when the rose colored glasses come off and one spends 24/7 with the other person. In the end, everything ends seemingly happily ever after, with both of the protagonists’ quitting their jobs and successfully pursuing their true calling, getting married for the second time, lots of kids born into the family, the much awaited second wedding between the families and the guy at shrink’s (who’s is actually the woman protagonist) office affirming need for a divorce as far as he is concerned.  

My final take on the novel – If you love Mr. Chetan Bhagat, you’ll love this one too!!  


This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!