Author: Durjoy Datta
Format: Paperback
Language: English
ISBN: 9789380349114
Pages: 215
Price: Rs. 100.00
‘She broke up, I didn’t’ by Durjoy Datta is his third work in three years, and as claimed by the cover, all of them have been ‘National Bestsellers’. It is quite natural, as a book lover and reviewer, that I will be attracted to this title (or any of the other two of his ‘trilogy’). Surprisingly, I got to lay my hand upon SBUID (I will use this acronym this point onwards) two days ago, and decided to give it a chance.
Durjoy Datta is hugely popular among the youth for his ‘trilogy’, with the leading pair being Dev and Avantika. I took the pain of going through the synopsis of the previous two novels, hence, going through the third one never became much of a problem. The major two protagonists are Dev and Avantika, who are madly in love with each other. The backdrop of the story (MDI, Gurgaon) makes this one (alike the previous two) another campus-based-romantic-novel. The story circulates around the life of Dev and Avantika in college, along with Dev’s friends named Shashank and Mittal; the other major protagonists being Malini and Kabir.
Dev and Avantika enjoy life with each other like every other couple on earth would have loved to do. They share a very strong bonding with each other, and tend to enjoy life the best way possible. But as often happens in relationships, they also had their share of misunderstandings, mistakes, adulteries – not always the end of which becomes a dream walk and a patch up with your lover. Dev falters not once, but twice, from the trust that he has gained from Avantika over time. Though the first time things got sorted out, it was during the second incident that all hell broke loose on their relationship. The advent of Malini in Dev’s life has been nicely crafted by the author, as well as the well-reserved twist regarding whether Avantika also initiated herself to debauchery or not.
Writing: Though not a very pleasant ending the reader can expect, SBUID somehow will truly be liked by college-going and high-school students. The possible reason can be the lifestyle showcased in the novel. The author’s writing is casual, not giving much attention to the literary and classical style. The excess use of slangs in the most unnecessary way possible does not help SBUID much. From critical readers, reviewers and writers, SBUID will never get the importance which the author would have liked to receive for his hard work.
The starting of SBUID was impressive, the carrying out of the pace in the middle portion was pathetic, but with a much better cover-up at the end. Printing and editing works made the experience a rather bitter one. SBUID was first published by Srishti Publishers in 2010, and the copy I went through was its 4th impression from a 2011 print. The printing mistakes were rather unexpected and hence, made worse impression throughout. Also, the title of the book sounds so much like a cliched Bollywood movie that a reader may often decide not to take the pain of buying the book, if not known from before. A cliched title often sets your mood off, and that had even happened to me when I decided to go through SBUID.
P.S. For instance, noticed how I never mentioned the ‘catchline’ with acronym ‘IJKSE’?
Ask for recommendation? I will say this is an one time read. Not much recommended, in an overall basis. In case, you want some quality recommendations of Indian works by Indian authors, drop me a mail using the ‘Contact’ page. I will love to get back to you.
Overall rating: 5.5/10
If you want to buy ‘She broke up, I didn’t‘, all you have to do is to follow this link:
9 comments
Smita says:
Apr 20, 2011
Read the debut book of the author as it was gifted to me but have decided to stay away from the author.
As far as Shrishti Publisher is concerned, I have picked 2-3 books from it and my exprience has been such that whenever I see a book from them I keep the book back in the rack and move ahead!
bastab says:
Apr 20, 2011
@Smita I was fearful that maybe I was the only one not to like these sort of works. Good to have you in my league too.
BTW, followed your name-link to get to your blog. An impressive one you have there. =)
Vivek Banerjee says:
Apr 22, 2011
I know that it is silly of me to criticise successful authors but I did try reading Durjoy’s first book and realised that it was not my cup of tea. So Bastab, there are many out there who share your sentiments.
A word about Shrishti Publishers. I don’t know what is their magic formula but on the ground they have a better reach than all the biggies of Indian Publishing put together.
bastab says:
Apr 22, 2011
@Vivek Banerjee Sir, thanks for the comment.
Yeah, I have been hearing from some of the prominent authors around regarding Shrishti. As you mentioned, seriously they must have a magic formula! =)
Rishabh Singh says:
May 4, 2011
I just went through your wonderful blog, while I was searching Harsh Snehanshu’s “Oops! I fell in love!” reviews. Looks like, I’ve an interesting idea for you.
Well, Harsh has been in news lately since he has completed his second novel and has very recently launched a very interesting social media campaign for his second book, titled The Lazy Writer’s Competition, where he’s inviting people to suggest him the title for his next book on his fan page. It’s for the first time anybody is crowd-sourcing a book’s title in India and I think, it would be great if popular bloggers like you become the first one to write on it.
You can read about it here: http://harshsnehanshu.blogspot.com/
Cheers!
Rishabh Singh
Social Media Reporter
Hindustan Times
Book Reading Challenge 2011 « Between The Lines says:
May 16, 2011
[…] ‘The Long Road‘ by Dr. Vivek Banerjee 2. ‘She broke up, I didn’t‘ by Durjoy Datta 3. ‘Stilettos in the Newsroom‘ by Rashmi Kumar 4. ‘Musings of a […]
Nikhil says:
Oct 1, 2011
:D No Comments
gagan says:
Oct 24, 2011
can any one tell me when is nxt part cuming out or next part of i dint broke up she did…i just kissed another girl plz
kalpesh barad says:
Jul 19, 2015
i want to know that is it ending that deb going to mumbai to get avantika or second part of book is going to publish