What starts as an interesting story, ends rather abruptly in Chetan Bhagat's, 'Three mistakes of my life'.The story line is quite similar to his previous writings. The blundering protagonist, his love-interest, friendship, sacrifice, blah and some more blah is what makes up his third book too.
One exception is that, the Godhra riots, Gujarat earthquake and the India-Australia series are interspersed with the story quite cleverly, with each of these events paving way for the protagonist to realize the mistakes he commits.
What ever happened to the trademark self-deprecatory humor, Chetan's books were famous for? Humor is almost non-existent in this book, which makes a few parts very yawnable and forgettable. Further the hero is projected as being too perfect in the first half of the book and too flawed in the second. The readers are fed an over-dose of cricket as well.
The book has its good moments too. All the scenes between Vidya and Govind are well-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable. Vidya's reaction to Govind's explanation of probability with greeting cards was exceptionally amusing.
"Let's say i take all your cards and put them in a sack. Then i pull one out. What is the probability the card is colored?"
"Why would you put them in a sack?", she said.
At the same time, a few scenes make me wonder if guys really do think the way Chetan explains or if it is exaggerated!!!For instance, there is one part where Vidya touches Govind's hand and he notices the fairness of her arms, long fingers, blue veins,nail polish, what not and that too in a few seconds. (Read: gag gag)
On the whole, it is definitely not a great book nor is it Chetan's best work. Three mistakes, is an entertainer, but that's about it.
