Resumo de Five Point Someone

If you are an IITian, you will probably relate very well to this
light-hearted narrative about the life of three average guys at the
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (And if you are an IITian you
would also know what ?average? in IIT means). If you are not an IITian,
you will still enjoy this book like I did (I am not even a techie). The
book may be about life in IIT, but the characters are as interesting as
in any other book and are very un-IIT like (That says a lot). According
to the author, Chetan Bhagat, this book is not about how to get into
IIT or what to do once you are in, but what not to do there.

The
autobiographical account lends itself to fine character development.
The book is fast paced and has very funny conversational style plus
lingo typical to those who come from the institution. A little
eccentric (little may be the understatement of the year), IITians may
be, but they are considered to be one of the most elite groups in the
world. Wouldn?t say that about the three guys in this book who manage
to scrape through IIT, not without a few hair-raising incidents here
and there. I would definitely give this book more than a five point
something on a ten-point scale.

My friend and I both read this book and got into a discussion. Here goes.

Me: So what do you think, eh? Is the whole thing like typically what happens there?

G:
Dunno. Haven?t been there, but have heard a lot of stories from
friends. Sounds pretty much like what happens there once in a while,
but maybe not all the time.

Me: This guy
Hari, the main character, he seems like the prototypical intelligent
sensitive guy who gets swayed easily by his friends. Seems to have no
fixed opinions. Kind of like me.

G
(smiles): Don?t know about that part, but yes, Hari seems very
intuitive right from the beginning. But it?s Ryan Oberoi, who is my
favorite. Standing up for his friends on every occasion. Man, I admire
his guts. And I liked the raunchy humor in this book, most of it thanks
to Ryan. Like that coke bottle thing! (Giggles)

Me
(after I finish laughing): But I don?t get one thing. He has rich
parents; he stands 91st in India in the IIT entrance (for those who are
not familiar to the system, this means that he is probably in the
Einstein category of brainy people) and then what? He screws up
everything by loafing around. He is barely a five-pointer in IIT.
Sounds strange.

G: Maybe the pressure got to him. I have seen guys like that. They stop caring after a certain point.

Me:
But have you seen guys like Alok who can cry at the drop of a hat? Of
course, he comes from a very impoverished background, has a sister to
marry off, a sick father and all that, but hey?

G:
Wait. Wait. There are guys like that too. The melodrama could have been
cut down. Alok is too sentimental. I can understand Ryan not being able
to stand him sometimes.

Me: Though he is kinda cute sometimes too. Poor Alok. Who do you think the author is out of the three?

G:
I would say Hari. Hari is projected in a very neutral manner. I like
the way Ryan and Alok get to crib about this in chapters provided
exclusively for them to vent their feelings.

Me: Yes, that?s a creative concept in a book. By the way, what do you think about the whole story?

G:
Its funny indeed, the things that keep happening to these guys. And the
things Ryan comes up with for them to do, like for instance signing
with their blood indeed (And you thought Tom Sawyer was gross). As for
the ?longest day in Hari?s life? episode, I found it a little
far-fetched.

Me: Yeah, plus the ending could have been a little different. Though I can?t say that I was left unsatisfied.

G:
Overall, a good book according to me. Brings out a lot of issues in the
education system in India in general. Of course, IIT is waay ahead in
terms of competition compared to other institutions.

Me: And Ryan says IIT hasn?t contributed to India?s development. I think that is not true.

G:
Yes, There definitely have been many scientific innovations brought out
by the institution, but in general, the rule of thumb is that the good
guys in IIT go abroad.

Me: Nowadays, that?s the rule of thumb with every technological institution. Then why blame IITians?

G:
Anyway, I think some IITians would dread reading this book cause they
wouldn?t want to be reminded of their harrowing experiences there.

Me (Smiling): Harrowing, but rib-tickling too. I am sure most of them have a lot to cherish.

G: And this book will take them back. In fact, it took me back to my college days too.

Me:
Gotta go. Can I take the book with me? Am going to lend this book to my
IITian friend, Ranganathan. Let?s see what he says about it.

G: Why? Are you conducting an opinion poll or something?

Me: No, I just want to write a good book review. Bye.

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