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The World's Best Boyfriend
Kata orang cinta dan benci itu beda tipis. Dan terkadang, kita tidak bisa membedakannya...
Dhruv adalah berandalan tampan yang populer. Aranya adalah gadis genius dengan penyakit memalukan.
Mereka pernah saling jatuh cinta, tapi suatu insiden membuat keduanya menjadi musuh bebuyutan dan melupakan satu sama lain.
Hingga akhirnya mereka bertemu kembali. Kali ini, mereka menghabiskan sebagian besar waktu dengan saling membenci dan mencoba menghancurkan satu sama lain.
Namun, entah kenapa mereka justru tidak dapat saling menjauhkan diri.
Dhruv adalah berandalan tampan yang populer. Aranya adalah gadis genius dengan penyakit memalukan.
Mereka pernah saling jatuh cinta, tapi suatu insiden membuat keduanya menjadi musuh bebuyutan dan melupakan satu sama lain.
Hingga akhirnya mereka bertemu kembali. Kali ini, mereka menghabiskan sebagian besar waktu dengan saling membenci dan mencoba menghancurkan satu sama lain.
Namun, entah kenapa mereka justru tidak dapat saling menjauhkan diri.
388 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2015
360 people are currently reading
4225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
June 23, 2015
She's a troubled genius. He's brash and brazen. They loved each other until they fought. They have spent years hating each other and now, just as life is ready to take them their own separate ways, they must decide, whether to stay together or move on. The World's Best Boyfriend by Durjoy Dutta is a coming-of-age romance, rather formulaic in the way its been written, and sure to appeal the college crowd. Six key elements sum up the story: college, professors, hostel life, friendships, love and sex. I quite enjoyed the story of Dhruv and Aranya, especially the first half. The second half sort of dragged for me, not only the scenes were repetitive, the dialogues long and rather pedantic. The book is interesting and well written and to me, the author seems to have heavily borrowed from personal life experiences. My only grudge is, there could have been much more to increase the richness of the story and give it a wonderful flavour. Don't ask me what. I am a writer myself and would much rather keep the twists for my own stories (wink, wink)..Enjoy reading!
March 13, 2016
I'm scratching my head here. What happened?! This story had sooooo much potential. First time (and probably last time) reading this author. I was really disturbed by how our heroine was so verbally and physically abused by her family and to my dismay and horror it was always done in public! And no one ever said a damn thing! This pretty much killed any feelings of "like" I was starting to have for the story.
Also, not to mention how we're forced to witness the horrible things our leads do to each other "for love" or to prove they "don't love" each other.
This story was too draining. In the end, the only thing I was wishing for was for the story to focus more on the best friend, Sanchit. He was, hand down, the only person that kept me reading to the end.
Never underestimate the power of your non-friends.
Also, not to mention how we're forced to witness the horrible things our leads do to each other "for love" or to prove they "don't love" each other.
This story was too draining. In the end, the only thing I was wishing for was for the story to focus more on the best friend, Sanchit. He was, hand down, the only person that kept me reading to the end.
Never underestimate the power of your non-friends.
July 10, 2016
I read Durjoy's book after a long time. after reading a lot of his previous books, I started feeling he has nothing new in his stories. But this one changed my mind.
I love how the author has experimented with broken characters. Instead of the dashing young boy and a beautiful girl, he has damaged characters. They're not so lovable yet they feel real.
Then there's their love story which is itself very damaged and imperfect.
Of course, there are some shortcomings. For example, the last section of the book had a few unrealistic things.
There's this girl who is supposed to have a fake profile and is residing in a foreign country yet it doesn't become obvious when she shares her whatsapp number?
Then the reaction of girl's parents, in the end, is a bit unexpected. Parents who hate you and want to get rid of you wouldn't mind throwing you off to any kind of guy, at least that's what these parents seemed to be like but they behaved very differently. I would have liked if there was more strength in this scene. The ending would have been perfect then.
Otherwise, it feels good to read the story of these two people, struggling with their own problems and being in love even then.
It's a good book. If you're not deliberately bent on undermining the work of authors like Durjoy Datta & Chetan Bhagat, you will like it.
I love how the author has experimented with broken characters. Instead of the dashing young boy and a beautiful girl, he has damaged characters. They're not so lovable yet they feel real.
Then there's their love story which is itself very damaged and imperfect.
Of course, there are some shortcomings. For example, the last section of the book had a few unrealistic things.
There's this girl who is supposed to have a fake profile and is residing in a foreign country yet it doesn't become obvious when she shares her whatsapp number?
Then the reaction of girl's parents, in the end, is a bit unexpected. Parents who hate you and want to get rid of you wouldn't mind throwing you off to any kind of guy, at least that's what these parents seemed to be like but they behaved very differently. I would have liked if there was more strength in this scene. The ending would have been perfect then.
Otherwise, it feels good to read the story of these two people, struggling with their own problems and being in love even then.
It's a good book. If you're not deliberately bent on undermining the work of authors like Durjoy Datta & Chetan Bhagat, you will like it.
February 7, 2021
It’s a beautiful, messy teenage love story. The characters have the backstories that make them behave the way they do. Though kind of filmy, I enjoyed reading this book. It’s refreshing and interesting.
I loved it how a girl who is having a skin disease, who is mocked at by everyone for her looks, is found beautiful by the guy who loved her. Cute teenage story.😍
Rating:3.5/5
I loved it how a girl who is having a skin disease, who is mocked at by everyone for her looks, is found beautiful by the guy who loved her. Cute teenage story.😍
Rating:3.5/5
June 9, 2015
I am not sure about this book. I mean, I liked it and disliked it at the same time.
First thing that i didn't like about this book is its characters. they were totally ripped out of the tv show "sadda haq". There was some difference in their back story. And arranya is not pretty and all. But one see the similarities.
It was cheesy it was sometimes unrealistic. i know its fiction and little unrealistic is ok but it was like it was like some like a tv show from shaktiman era. the characters were very weak.
starting was good after half part u start to get irritated
First thing that i didn't like about this book is its characters. they were totally ripped out of the tv show "sadda haq". There was some difference in their back story. And arranya is not pretty and all. But one see the similarities.
It was cheesy it was sometimes unrealistic. i know its fiction and little unrealistic is ok but it was like it was like some like a tv show from shaktiman era. the characters were very weak.
starting was good after half part u start to get irritated
May 10, 2016
A stupid college love story (is it even a story)!??
April 3, 2020
Aw well, what can ya do? It's a good quick read but the characters don't do much which is logical. World's Best Boyfriend well try to find him in the pages.
I like Durjoy's books and have read them all so I am well aware of what to expect there.
This was a good read but not DD's best or even better works.
On to the next one "The Girl of my Dreams" .... till then keep on reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I like Durjoy's books and have read them all so I am well aware of what to expect there.
This was a good read but not DD's best or even better works.
On to the next one "The Girl of my Dreams" .... till then keep on reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
January 5, 2018
World's worst indian soft-porn.
April 29, 2015
Durjoy Datta is back with his 11th fiction book and he is still busy in launching it in all the cities of India. I am glad to have read it even before people must have actually received it. "World's Best Boyfriend" is the name of his newest flick and to my surprise, it's his thickest book with 288 pages. The title of the book is quite cheesy and I wasn't expecting much out of it and therefore, I am not quite disappointed with this tale. I am at least happy that Durjoy is trying such stories from which he kept himself away for first 6 books. I am also liking the fact that he is writing solo books rather than with a co-author as he used to do initially.
Durjoy Datta's new book tells us a story about a girl Aranya who has a disease named vitiligo since birth because of which her parents always hated her and never a moment came in life when they treated her nicely. Her brother was always considered more superior to her even when she was very studious and always scored in top ranks. She meets a boy named Dhruv who is disturbed because his parents have separated as his mother leaves home with his school principal. This leads Dhruv to be very rough and unemotional all his life. Somehow, both-Aranya and Dhruv falls in love in school. After getting caught, they are separated and they only meet after couple of years to hate each other as much as possible. They try almost everything to ruin each other's peace but is the hatred only thing that they share between each other? Hatred for someone comes only when you consider them someone important in your mind. That's the plot on which World's Best Boyfriend is based upon.
The language of Durjoy Datta remains the same- quite urban and cool. He has stopped writing sex but begun writing "Fucks" in his book like its just another word in English without which the sentence couldn't be completed. The way he has characterized each of his protagonists is worth applauding like always. It isn't easy to base a book on a victim of a disease about whom we don't even give a second thought in our life. And then carrying it so appropriately whenever discussed about it is another greatness in his writing. But I felt that the story is quite stretched in few chapters where it could have been easily ended in a page or two keeping the impact intact. Description of each emotion for almost 20-25 sentences have only led in thickness of this book but doesn't make you feel anything stronger than you felt after reading the first sentence itself. Because of this, when you are done reading the climax, the predictability even after 288 pages of tale disappoints you.
There are wonderful moments in the book. How both the characters lie in front of their school committee immediately after getting caught. How Aranya's father comes in college after getting complaint about her after many years. How Aranya becomes the star of the college. How Raghuvir and Aranya starts conversing and falling in love. Such few scenes have been wonderfully written. Also, the humour between the lines by Durjoy is unavoidable and that's something which holds you for 7-8 hours in which you can easily complete reading this one. I liked the anti-climax where both Dhruv and Aranya are wanting to tell how they love each other but couldn't express because of their egos and historical record of hating each other and competing in almost every thing.
But still, the book carries many flaws and it's the biggest turn-off. Before Durjoy could have actually started to tell about a girl's whole life story on being a victim to a disease, he just stops discussing about it and the thing is forgotten somewhere. It comes only in few sentences where Dhruv calls her ugly repeatedly otherwise no discussion about the disease part and her current fight against it is spotted. Similarly, her father takes away her phone and how and when she gets it back is another sub-plot which Durjoy doesn't care to include in the book. Apart from all these drawbacks, the best and interesting part of this book is character of Sanchit. That keeps you alive and fresh. I give this 3.5 stars out of 5. Little better than Half Girlfriend. Haha! Yes! Now waiting for Durjoy Datta's 12th book.
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
April 8, 2020
Hate, is a four letter word.
So is love.
And sometimes, people can’t tell the difference…
‘Easy love is no love. Love’s not love unless you’re laid wasted by it unless you’re destroyed by it, ripped apart and scarred for life by it.’
These lines set context to this crazy story.
Dhruv and Aranya are two fucked up people, who find each other and fall in love. They fit together like hands in a glove. They complete each other like a missing piece in a puzzle.
Dhruv is from a dysfunctional family. His parents don’t get along. His father is an alcoholic and barely behaves like a father to Dhruv and his mother is having an affair with his school principle. Therefore Dhruv grows up to be an insecure, distrusting, and reckless and chauvinistic pig. And hot too!
Aranya is a daughter of a family who think that girls are a burdens and need to get rid of as soon as possible. They pamper her older brother and treat her like a shit-bag. Aranya’s parents develop a deep rooted/unhealthy distrust towards her for getting involved with a guy in school. And to make matters worse for her, she suffers from Vitiligo. A rare skin condition which cause’s pigmentation all over the skin. And for this she is forever made fun of and called ugly by every single person she meets. Including Dhruv, the love of her life, who laughs at her and makes fun of her the first time he sees her. Aryana character is unrelenting and ever persistent to improve the condition of her life. She is a self-sufficient and self-made women, competitive, overtly/outwardly confident, independent and brilliant girl!
They meet each other at school. They are meant to be, but circumstances separate them. Dhruv and Aranya are caught kissing in school and get into big trouble for it. Out of fear of her tyrannical father Aranya lies to everyone and says that Dhruv made her do it. This shatters their innocent feelings. And changes there life forever. Aranya was the only girl that stole Dhruv’s already battered and she was the first person who broke it. And for that Dhruv never forgave her!
Aranya and her family move to a different city, to get away from the shame and disrespect caused by their daughter’s discrepancy and Dhruv vow’s to take revenge on every girl he dates in the future for Aranya’s betrayal!
But despite their invincible armour. And evident difference’s, they both manage to dent each other’s armour. And get under each other’s skin.
Year’s pass by and Aranya and Dhruv land up in the same engineering college in Delhi! On that eventful day they meet, they make it their life’s mission to destroy each other to no known measure. They publicly humiliate, verbally thrash, degrade each other’s image, and almost get the other kicked out of college. But is hatred the only feeling they have towards each other?
Dhruv dates the hottest girl in college, Rikita. (As a distraction from someone else ;) obviously!) And Aranya falls for a hot professor, Raghuvir! Who also has feelings for her? After four years of torturing and humiliating each other Dhruv and Aranya are faced with the decision of what to do with their life after engineering. Do they know what they truly feel for each other and will that make up for all the hurt and pain they have caused each other for so long? Aranya's resilient attitude and handwork gets her an offer from a prestigious company, and is planning to move to USA with Raghuvir.
What happens next is a crazy whirlwind of events! That force them to relies what they have been trying to deny for years! And will they be able to undo the damage in time ?
I really enjoyed reading this book! this was the second book I read by this author and I have to say there is so much difference in the way he writes now. I did not like the first book at all. But this made up for it. This book had way more content. I was able to relate to this book due the engineering back ground, and college life reference's. This book was a light read. and can be read in a day. I can recommend this book to people who like sappy and dramatic, filmy love stories. Its definitely worth reading at least once as it will make you smile and have you remembering your college days.
So is love.
And sometimes, people can’t tell the difference…
‘Easy love is no love. Love’s not love unless you’re laid wasted by it unless you’re destroyed by it, ripped apart and scarred for life by it.’
These lines set context to this crazy story.
Dhruv and Aranya are two fucked up people, who find each other and fall in love. They fit together like hands in a glove. They complete each other like a missing piece in a puzzle.
Dhruv is from a dysfunctional family. His parents don’t get along. His father is an alcoholic and barely behaves like a father to Dhruv and his mother is having an affair with his school principle. Therefore Dhruv grows up to be an insecure, distrusting, and reckless and chauvinistic pig. And hot too!
Aranya is a daughter of a family who think that girls are a burdens and need to get rid of as soon as possible. They pamper her older brother and treat her like a shit-bag. Aranya’s parents develop a deep rooted/unhealthy distrust towards her for getting involved with a guy in school. And to make matters worse for her, she suffers from Vitiligo. A rare skin condition which cause’s pigmentation all over the skin. And for this she is forever made fun of and called ugly by every single person she meets. Including Dhruv, the love of her life, who laughs at her and makes fun of her the first time he sees her. Aryana character is unrelenting and ever persistent to improve the condition of her life. She is a self-sufficient and self-made women, competitive, overtly/outwardly confident, independent and brilliant girl!
They meet each other at school. They are meant to be, but circumstances separate them. Dhruv and Aranya are caught kissing in school and get into big trouble for it. Out of fear of her tyrannical father Aranya lies to everyone and says that Dhruv made her do it. This shatters their innocent feelings. And changes there life forever. Aranya was the only girl that stole Dhruv’s already battered and she was the first person who broke it. And for that Dhruv never forgave her!
Aranya and her family move to a different city, to get away from the shame and disrespect caused by their daughter’s discrepancy and Dhruv vow’s to take revenge on every girl he dates in the future for Aranya’s betrayal!
But despite their invincible armour. And evident difference’s, they both manage to dent each other’s armour. And get under each other’s skin.
Year’s pass by and Aranya and Dhruv land up in the same engineering college in Delhi! On that eventful day they meet, they make it their life’s mission to destroy each other to no known measure. They publicly humiliate, verbally thrash, degrade each other’s image, and almost get the other kicked out of college. But is hatred the only feeling they have towards each other?
Dhruv dates the hottest girl in college, Rikita. (As a distraction from someone else ;) obviously!) And Aranya falls for a hot professor, Raghuvir! Who also has feelings for her? After four years of torturing and humiliating each other Dhruv and Aranya are faced with the decision of what to do with their life after engineering. Do they know what they truly feel for each other and will that make up for all the hurt and pain they have caused each other for so long? Aranya's resilient attitude and handwork gets her an offer from a prestigious company, and is planning to move to USA with Raghuvir.
What happens next is a crazy whirlwind of events! That force them to relies what they have been trying to deny for years! And will they be able to undo the damage in time ?
I really enjoyed reading this book! this was the second book I read by this author and I have to say there is so much difference in the way he writes now. I did not like the first book at all. But this made up for it. This book had way more content. I was able to relate to this book due the engineering back ground, and college life reference's. This book was a light read. and can be read in a day. I can recommend this book to people who like sappy and dramatic, filmy love stories. Its definitely worth reading at least once as it will make you smile and have you remembering your college days.
March 1, 2022
4,5🌟
Karakter-karakter di buku ini memang agak susah untuk dicintai. Agak suram. Dan agak kusut. Walaupun nggak semuanya😂 Aku suka banget sama karakter yang bernama Sanchit. Dia lucu dengan segala ke-ANU-annya. Aku jadi benci tapi dibikin cinta sekaligus sama novel ini. Dibikin kesel, tapi dibikin sayang dan bersimpati sekaligus. Karakter-karakternya yang menyebalkan, terlalu keras terhadap diri sendiri, egois, hubungan yang terlalu kusut, tapi tak memungkiri aku tak bisa melepaskan buku ini barang sejenak. Buku ini kuhabiskan hanya dalam waktu 1 hari saja. Walaupun baru ku review sekarang😁
Penulis yang dengan lihainya membuatku jadi emosi, mendatangkan perasaan yang sama dengan plot buku ini. Cinta dan benci. Wkwkwkwk. Novel ini bukan tipe novel yang banyak menampilkan adegan manis-manis. Justru mungkin dari kalian akan berpikir "ini apa sih". Bukan juga jenis novel yang bisa kalian baca berulang-ulang di beberapa adegan sebelum kalian tidur. Novel ini cenderung membutuhkan jeda yang cukup lama untuk dibaca kembali. Walaupun lama, tapi pantas untuk dibaca ulang😍
Novel ini menonjolkan feminisme. Aku suka sifat Aranya yang tangguh. Kebal terhadap bully. Disaat body shaming berkeliaran bebas, berdalih lucu-lucuan doang. Padahal efek dari body shaming bisa fatal loh.
Aku inginnya memberikan 5🌟. Tapi adegan endingnya yang kurasa kurang panjang, dan meninggalkan sedikit potongan puzzle yang belum selesai. Nggak cliffhanger kok. Cuma menurutku itu perlu dijamah kembali. Walaupun endingnya itu sungguh-sungguh sangat-sangat licik dan cerdik!! Dan aku suka sih😂
Karakter-karakter di buku ini memang agak susah untuk dicintai. Agak suram. Dan agak kusut. Walaupun nggak semuanya😂 Aku suka banget sama karakter yang bernama Sanchit. Dia lucu dengan segala ke-ANU-annya. Aku jadi benci tapi dibikin cinta sekaligus sama novel ini. Dibikin kesel, tapi dibikin sayang dan bersimpati sekaligus. Karakter-karakternya yang menyebalkan, terlalu keras terhadap diri sendiri, egois, hubungan yang terlalu kusut, tapi tak memungkiri aku tak bisa melepaskan buku ini barang sejenak. Buku ini kuhabiskan hanya dalam waktu 1 hari saja. Walaupun baru ku review sekarang😁
Penulis yang dengan lihainya membuatku jadi emosi, mendatangkan perasaan yang sama dengan plot buku ini. Cinta dan benci. Wkwkwkwk. Novel ini bukan tipe novel yang banyak menampilkan adegan manis-manis. Justru mungkin dari kalian akan berpikir "ini apa sih". Bukan juga jenis novel yang bisa kalian baca berulang-ulang di beberapa adegan sebelum kalian tidur. Novel ini cenderung membutuhkan jeda yang cukup lama untuk dibaca kembali. Walaupun lama, tapi pantas untuk dibaca ulang😍
Novel ini menonjolkan feminisme. Aku suka sifat Aranya yang tangguh. Kebal terhadap bully. Disaat body shaming berkeliaran bebas, berdalih lucu-lucuan doang. Padahal efek dari body shaming bisa fatal loh.
Aku inginnya memberikan 5🌟. Tapi adegan endingnya yang kurasa kurang panjang, dan meninggalkan sedikit potongan puzzle yang belum selesai. Nggak cliffhanger kok. Cuma menurutku itu perlu dijamah kembali. Walaupun endingnya itu sungguh-sungguh sangat-sangat licik dan cerdik!! Dan aku suka sih😂
February 13, 2016
Few things you regret post it's done... so was this read!
this was the first pick I made from Durjoy Datta's work, and I am really not impressed. I have heard a lot about him and being an aspiring writer I chose for his book parallel to Chandana Roy's A Good Girl. World's best boyfriend--- Full filmy or like a daily soap. I mean there's no point of accounting something in pages when you can watch them on television..... trees would be regretting dying for this. ;)
But......There's always two sides of a coin!
It's not all bad about the book. Dialogues are good and snappy and One thing that I learnt is--what not to write ;) :)
this was the first pick I made from Durjoy Datta's work, and I am really not impressed. I have heard a lot about him and being an aspiring writer I chose for his book parallel to Chandana Roy's A Good Girl. World's best boyfriend--- Full filmy or like a daily soap. I mean there's no point of accounting something in pages when you can watch them on television..... trees would be regretting dying for this. ;)
But......There's always two sides of a coin!
It's not all bad about the book. Dialogues are good and snappy and One thing that I learnt is--what not to write ;) :)
August 5, 2020
The rating for this book is 3.2
I liked the love-hate relationship that Aranya and Dhruv shared. A typical disastrous bond. A true showcase of relationships that the current generation holds to be a perfect match while treating self as a competition to make themselves look like an ideal couple. I love their coping mechanism that is to not appear weak by picking out the weak spots of each other and also, the hidden love that was lost in its time.
A complete combination of a high achiever and a wreck. The life of students involving their family, high school. love life, and friends those affecting their decisions and choices. The idea of love is exploited by turning it into perfection instead of working on it. The story gets too dramatic which typically reminds me of Bollywood ideally. The teenage love life has struck to our young adults named Dhruv and Aranya always. I like the fact that Durjoy Datta has portrayed the love life of the current generation and the way they choose to handle their problems relatively leading to chaos and trouble.
The constant backlash is received by Aranya, even by the ones she loved. She is a lovely girl and always behaved perfectly, never failed to meet her parents expectations. She does what she was told to, in return to receive their love which was a complete irony. The constant abuse from her father, not-so-good brother, the vitiligo, and being pushed away from friends caused her to change her life into a routine rather than enjoying a normal teenage life in comparison to the students of her age. The people with flaws are dismissed with ignorance to treat them right. Similarly, Aranya felt the same all her life trying to hide her self away from everyone because of pointing fingers on her all the time.
The disastrous life that Dhruv had been facing since his childhood involving external affairs of his mother with his school principal, His father with the other women, the drinking problem of his dad, and the divorce of his parents trapped him emotionally all his life. A troubled child being helpless about his situation which turned him into an angry young man A.K.A HULK. He lacked the love and support that he needed in his life the most. He would become possessive and obsessive over his things immediately because he knows the importance of losing something that was once important to him.
I wish I could see more of Raghuvir's character to know him better. His low character after all being a professor has gotten him some serious lifetime benefits. Before meeting Aranya, the relationships were on and off depending upon his mood as he appears to be a loner but, he chooses Aranya. Being with her made him happier but, he was a real manipulator to get what he wants while he cannot drag himself into commitment. An obvious student-teacher relationship takes place.
The writing style appears to be cool which did not interest me. The language used is very usual that gives a real feel of conversation of young adults these days. The usage of cuss words made me less interested to read further because it shifts the mood quickly.
I was able to understand the ending of the story within 50-100 pages. Reading this book made me think of the movie kabirsinghmovie. I could relate Dhruv’s character with Kabir who was intoxicated with the habit of consuming alcohol and smoking constantly. The behavior of young adults shows how slowly generation by generation we are losing ourselves to the pressure that withholds us from within.
I liked the love-hate relationship that Aranya and Dhruv shared. A typical disastrous bond. A true showcase of relationships that the current generation holds to be a perfect match while treating self as a competition to make themselves look like an ideal couple. I love their coping mechanism that is to not appear weak by picking out the weak spots of each other and also, the hidden love that was lost in its time.
A complete combination of a high achiever and a wreck. The life of students involving their family, high school. love life, and friends those affecting their decisions and choices. The idea of love is exploited by turning it into perfection instead of working on it. The story gets too dramatic which typically reminds me of Bollywood ideally. The teenage love life has struck to our young adults named Dhruv and Aranya always. I like the fact that Durjoy Datta has portrayed the love life of the current generation and the way they choose to handle their problems relatively leading to chaos and trouble.
The constant backlash is received by Aranya, even by the ones she loved. She is a lovely girl and always behaved perfectly, never failed to meet her parents expectations. She does what she was told to, in return to receive their love which was a complete irony. The constant abuse from her father, not-so-good brother, the vitiligo, and being pushed away from friends caused her to change her life into a routine rather than enjoying a normal teenage life in comparison to the students of her age. The people with flaws are dismissed with ignorance to treat them right. Similarly, Aranya felt the same all her life trying to hide her self away from everyone because of pointing fingers on her all the time.
The disastrous life that Dhruv had been facing since his childhood involving external affairs of his mother with his school principal, His father with the other women, the drinking problem of his dad, and the divorce of his parents trapped him emotionally all his life. A troubled child being helpless about his situation which turned him into an angry young man A.K.A HULK. He lacked the love and support that he needed in his life the most. He would become possessive and obsessive over his things immediately because he knows the importance of losing something that was once important to him.
I wish I could see more of Raghuvir's character to know him better. His low character after all being a professor has gotten him some serious lifetime benefits. Before meeting Aranya, the relationships were on and off depending upon his mood as he appears to be a loner but, he chooses Aranya. Being with her made him happier but, he was a real manipulator to get what he wants while he cannot drag himself into commitment. An obvious student-teacher relationship takes place.
The writing style appears to be cool which did not interest me. The language used is very usual that gives a real feel of conversation of young adults these days. The usage of cuss words made me less interested to read further because it shifts the mood quickly.
I was able to understand the ending of the story within 50-100 pages. Reading this book made me think of the movie kabirsinghmovie. I could relate Dhruv’s character with Kabir who was intoxicated with the habit of consuming alcohol and smoking constantly. The behavior of young adults shows how slowly generation by generation we are losing ourselves to the pressure that withholds us from within.
July 24, 2020
A bright girl with vitilago condition & and a charming boy with a meanstreak yet good heart. Aranya & Dhruv, the arch nemesis, the best of the friends from school time, having love for each other yet enemies who are out to destroy each other. They meet once again in college & have their separate love stories, each on its own at the same time being constantly at the neck of each other, bickering. While Aranya being the studious, nerdy girl trying to be in good books of all professors, especially the Dr. Raghuvir (who's the Prodigy professor by the age of 29😄), who she fantasizes about & romance later; Dhruv dates bevy of girls & then Ritika. Finally, after all drama & fights Dhruv & Aranya admit being in love with each other & reunite with help of their friend sanchit & story ends well typical Bollywood style at the airport😄😄. The usual love & hate, love story of college time. 2.5 to 3 stars.
January 23, 2020
A love story full of hatred!
Story revolves around Dhruv and Aranya who hates each other from depth of their hearts, still cannot stay away from each other.
They'd known each other since their childhood. Few lies and betrayal drifted them apart in school. Circumstances made their ways together again in college. The mad yet passionate attraction between the two describes modern day relationships.
Book has all that bollywood touch we enjoyed in our teenage.
Frankly saying nothing was new in this story. I personally liked Sanchit's character a lot!
Story revolves around Dhruv and Aranya who hates each other from depth of their hearts, still cannot stay away from each other.
They'd known each other since their childhood. Few lies and betrayal drifted them apart in school. Circumstances made their ways together again in college. The mad yet passionate attraction between the two describes modern day relationships.
Book has all that bollywood touch we enjoyed in our teenage.
Frankly saying nothing was new in this story. I personally liked Sanchit's character a lot!
April 10, 2020
Wow. Just....wow. What the heck did I just read?!
Easily the most toxic book out of all of DD's works so far. Not only did this book rub me the wrong way, but it did leave me disturbed at times. If I had to give a description, "messed up" would be mildly putting it.
The gist of it: Dhruv (who has issues stemmed from a lot of family turmoil) meets Aranya (who has vitiligo and quite a few family issues of her own too) in middle school. They grow romantically close until a scandal tears them apart, causing an irreparable rift and a whole lot of hatred between the two. Many years later, they stumble upon each other in college - only to rekindle that animosity. What follows is full-blown mayhem, with each of them trying to hurt the other and gain the upper hand in their conflict. OH GEE, I WONDER WHERE THIS IS GOING.
Talk about that ever-prevalent "I HATE him/her. And yet..." cliche being done in the worst way possible. The main characters are so petty, hurtful and childish - it makes sympathizing with either of them a Herculean task (although, you could make the argument that one could feel sorry for Aranya during her interactions with her family). By God, they're so unlikeable, and this book is littered with a good number of insufferable supporting characters as well - Raghuvir, some of the college professors, Aranya's family (I've never seen a more awful, unsupportive family than this).
Oh, and speaking of that awful, unsupportive family, let's get to the disturbing bits, shall we? In what universe did the writer think it was OK to include (and, dare I say it, "glamorize") all those violent moments committed against the female protagonist? AND THEY WERE ALWAYS CARRIED OUT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. IN PUBLIC. I'm sorry, you can go "Oh, ho hum. It's just a book" all you want, but these kind of scenes shook me. And not in a good way. I can't ever imagine any father verbally abusing and slapping his daughter in a rage over the littlest things - and I don't want to, either.
Aside from the botched up cliché and a meandering overdramatic story, this book also suffers from UPCS (Unrealistic Portrayal of College Syndrome) to an unbearable degree. Everyone smokes, drinks and has sex, and none of the faculty raises an eyebrow over it. *sigh*
Very few positives to note for this book: Sanchit, despite falling victim to the usual "I'm perpetually horny/stoned" trope, is actually a pretty entertaining character. Some of his lines did get a chuckle out of me, and I do like how he's not afraid to call Dhruv out for his behaviour and pretenses. Some of Aranya's comebacks did crack me up, but that's just about it.
In a nutshell, if there's anything this novel is a candidate for, it's "World's Worst Book". Without a doubt.
Easily the most toxic book out of all of DD's works so far. Not only did this book rub me the wrong way, but it did leave me disturbed at times. If I had to give a description, "messed up" would be mildly putting it.
The gist of it: Dhruv (who has issues stemmed from a lot of family turmoil) meets Aranya (who has vitiligo and quite a few family issues of her own too) in middle school. They grow romantically close until a scandal tears them apart, causing an irreparable rift and a whole lot of hatred between the two. Many years later, they stumble upon each other in college - only to rekindle that animosity. What follows is full-blown mayhem, with each of them trying to hurt the other and gain the upper hand in their conflict. OH GEE, I WONDER WHERE THIS IS GOING.
Talk about that ever-prevalent "I HATE him/her. And yet..." cliche being done in the worst way possible. The main characters are so petty, hurtful and childish - it makes sympathizing with either of them a Herculean task (although, you could make the argument that one could feel sorry for Aranya during her interactions with her family). By God, they're so unlikeable, and this book is littered with a good number of insufferable supporting characters as well - Raghuvir, some of the college professors, Aranya's family (I've never seen a more awful, unsupportive family than this).
Oh, and speaking of that awful, unsupportive family, let's get to the disturbing bits, shall we? In what universe did the writer think it was OK to include (and, dare I say it, "glamorize") all those violent moments committed against the female protagonist? AND THEY WERE ALWAYS CARRIED OUT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. IN PUBLIC. I'm sorry, you can go "Oh, ho hum. It's just a book" all you want, but these kind of scenes shook me. And not in a good way. I can't ever imagine any father verbally abusing and slapping his daughter in a rage over the littlest things - and I don't want to, either.
Aside from the botched up cliché and a meandering overdramatic story, this book also suffers from UPCS (Unrealistic Portrayal of College Syndrome) to an unbearable degree. Everyone smokes, drinks and has sex, and none of the faculty raises an eyebrow over it. *sigh*
Very few positives to note for this book: Sanchit, despite falling victim to the usual "I'm perpetually horny/stoned" trope, is actually a pretty entertaining character. Some of his lines did get a chuckle out of me, and I do like how he's not afraid to call Dhruv out for his behaviour and pretenses. Some of Aranya's comebacks did crack me up, but that's just about it.
In a nutshell, if there's anything this novel is a candidate for, it's "World's Worst Book". Without a doubt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2015
A fine lad, a scared girl, domestic issues, their lives entwined with bonds of love and hate but what will stretch them far or what is it that will bring them back together? Are the bonds sacred or are they scattered and tattered pieces of nothingness? It's a fight for survival in a cruel world, who will live up to the expectations? The robust angry Dhruv or the shy and pompous Aranya? That's what the story is all about.
The positives from the story that demanded a lot from the reader can be the mental and physical stand off between Dhruv & Aranya. A godly friend and enemy in Sanchit, a story bathed in the college hues and horizon and the struggle to get your priorities right in live be it love, life or career. Only few of these things catch the attention.
The book fails to recreate a vivid college atmosphere. The bankable entity being language is fairly crude and distorted and relies a lot on cuss and fucks. The entire sanctity of the troubled domestic issues and personal rifts being lost in the haze of volley of expletives and random nitpicking on each other. There's no agenda at hand when it comes to the girl's disease so much so that it is wrapped up even before it folds. The characters playing hide and seek which again looks abrupt and hollow and the shallow machismo of Dhruv relying on muscles and porn and masturbation and alcohol is a huge turn off. The book looks far from polished and even loses out in a scene where the phone is snatched away from Aranya and somehow she gets it back which is rather vague and inaccurate.
All in all the book hell bent on recreating the yesteryear magic of college and romance is an entirely pauper attempt. The only riches you grab out from the book are scanty and rest relies heavily on crude and intolerable maniacal story line. A lot more than that there's no concrete line of decency and expletives drive the book. A failed attempt at humor and a bigger failure at letting romance be sensual or starry eyed. An old wine in a new bottle with a wrong combo.
The positives from the story that demanded a lot from the reader can be the mental and physical stand off between Dhruv & Aranya. A godly friend and enemy in Sanchit, a story bathed in the college hues and horizon and the struggle to get your priorities right in live be it love, life or career. Only few of these things catch the attention.
The book fails to recreate a vivid college atmosphere. The bankable entity being language is fairly crude and distorted and relies a lot on cuss and fucks. The entire sanctity of the troubled domestic issues and personal rifts being lost in the haze of volley of expletives and random nitpicking on each other. There's no agenda at hand when it comes to the girl's disease so much so that it is wrapped up even before it folds. The characters playing hide and seek which again looks abrupt and hollow and the shallow machismo of Dhruv relying on muscles and porn and masturbation and alcohol is a huge turn off. The book looks far from polished and even loses out in a scene where the phone is snatched away from Aranya and somehow she gets it back which is rather vague and inaccurate.
All in all the book hell bent on recreating the yesteryear magic of college and romance is an entirely pauper attempt. The only riches you grab out from the book are scanty and rest relies heavily on crude and intolerable maniacal story line. A lot more than that there's no concrete line of decency and expletives drive the book. A failed attempt at humor and a bigger failure at letting romance be sensual or starry eyed. An old wine in a new bottle with a wrong combo.
May 9, 2015
After a long long time i read a book written by an Indian author and now i kinda know why i stayed away. I have read Durjoy before and i loved his second book. This one however is good, but there are so many inconsistencies in the middle, characters behaving in different way suddenly that no matter how much i wanna give it 4 stars, i just cant. I like the characters, but the language at some places is downright crass. I'm ok with swearing and conveying your feelings, but sometimes abuses are used just for the heck of it. It wasn't completely a mess and i looved it at a couple of places. But there is an inherent lack of coherence in the narrative.
January 17, 2020
I have read a few books of Durjoy and this one is one of my favorites work of his. The storyline was very unique and interesting. The sypnosis is: The book follows the life of Aranya and Dhruv from the time they are in school. They find solace in each other and then get separated. Hate brews in their hearts for each other which means they have to meet each other again at some point in their lives.They are admitted in the same college which gives them opportunity to start their revenge plot with remembering the past memories. But the story doesn't end here, Aranya meets a professor in the college who she is severely attracted to and maybe the professor is too?
April 30, 2015
World's Best Boyfriend Full Review
3.5 on 5
Loved it for almost 2/3rd of it but did not like how it proceeded further. Anyhow, Durjoy Datta adds his awesome narration into another college romance and sprinkles it with humor to keep the readers engaged. I enjoyed reading the book. Just if it had not gone down the cliched path in the latter section of the book forcefully, I would have loved it more. Nevertheless, worth reading if you like to read the genre.
3.5 on 5
Loved it for almost 2/3rd of it but did not like how it proceeded further. Anyhow, Durjoy Datta adds his awesome narration into another college romance and sprinkles it with humor to keep the readers engaged. I enjoyed reading the book. Just if it had not gone down the cliched path in the latter section of the book forcefully, I would have loved it more. Nevertheless, worth reading if you like to read the genre.
January 23, 2016
Poof ! #disappointed
I'm tired of such stories.
An Old Plot in a modern setting.
Girl and Guy hate each other...Hurl abuses at each other..Hurt each other ..
And finally they realize that they are in love with each other.
This book doesn't even deserve a review. Worst of Durjoy. Swear to God, I wont read any more Durjoy books.
Two things were most profound in this book. Explicit Language and Sex ! Nothing else.
I don't even have to mood to write a neat review. Such a disappointing book ! Pointless and Time wasting .
I'm tired of such stories.
An Old Plot in a modern setting.
Girl and Guy hate each other...Hurl abuses at each other..Hurt each other ..
And finally they realize that they are in love with each other.
This book doesn't even deserve a review. Worst of Durjoy. Swear to God, I wont read any more Durjoy books.
Two things were most profound in this book. Explicit Language and Sex ! Nothing else.
I don't even have to mood to write a neat review. Such a disappointing book ! Pointless and Time wasting .
October 23, 2015
It was a nice book. I really liked the fact that no character was ever clouded by love too much to let go of their ambitions.
I like Durjoy Datta books
I like Durjoy Datta books
June 5, 2021
Didn't like this story really. Like many times i felt what the hell is going on in this book... 😑 Wanted to dnf it but that's not my habit .... So had to complete it anyhow....
December 13, 2019
World’s Best Boyfriend – A clichéd review of a clichéd story.
A time ago, I read a quote on the internet by Alan Bennett from his play, The History Boys (which I haven’t read or seen). The quote is, “Clichés can be quite fun. That's how they got to be clichés.” When I read it, I felt it untrue. I always thought clichés to be boring and originality to be fun, new and something to look up to. Most of the others I know think the same and believe it from a long time. If one surfs the internet, one will find that many authors, filmmakers and people from various distinct has said the same about originality (directly or indirectly) and said it for ages, (from Aristotle to Nolan). Then doesn’t everyone’s search for originality and putting it in one’s art or technology for the sake of originality is also a cliché? And someone embracing the cliché and making it his or her own might be something new. Durjoy Datta is one of those new voices of Indian literature, who (I am saying after reading only one novel of his) embraces clichés and makes them his own in World’s Best Boyfriend.
WBB starts with a male protagonist Dhruv whose life is disturbed due to parental issues and how it affects him. He meets our female protagonist during this turmoil i>(who has her own issues) and how being with her affects him. A scandal between two leads to more chaos. It affects both of them and also affects almost all the other characters in the story. A leap in the story and their meeting by chance and the continuation of the story till it ends at the most commonplace a romantic story can end,(airport - the mecca of lovers confessing their love) finally puts an abrupt but a must needed stop on Durjoy Dutta’s novel WBB.
In between happens friendship, love, affairs, revenge, stupidity, stupidity, stupidity and stupidity. Once it ends, one wonders, for a few minutes or maybe an hour, what it was that hooked me in the story. The answer is simple, it is entertaining stupidity. Whatever it may be, WBB is an entertaining book. The main purpose of any art form might differ from person to person, but a major chunk of the purpose of any art form constitutes entertainment. WBB succeeds in its purpose one way or the other.
There is nothing much to say about the story except that it is straight out from a Bollywood movie or an MTV or Channel-V TV show (for which Durjoy has already written screenplays). The characters are fleshed out similarly to the way characters in such movies or TV shows are drawn. An angry dude having a perfect body and good looks and with a mix of some parental issue which helps to justify his actions becomes Dhruv. A cool professor who is smart and mysterious and who has patents, laurels, and what-not becomes Raghuvir or Raghuveer (I don’t remember). Some parents and their clichés of loving a son and not the daughter, mother crying or leaving husband for not loving him, father abusing or drinking and becoming irresponsible, etc, etc, etc constitutes periphery characters in the novel. A bimbo becomes Radhika and a funny, creepy, intelligent and many things become Sanchit (the best character in the book). The oddest out yet interesting character is Aranya. She is cunning, smart, confused, jealous and obviously with issues. Characters like her are almost kept as secondary or tertiary characters in a story but she is a female protagonist of WBB and Durjoy’s daring to give her that chance, adds to risk as a writer, which pays off in an otherwise OK novel. Other than that there is no risk he has taken in the story. He wrote it to be a one-time read and a one-time read it is.
The writing is as simple as one can write. The basic purpose of the writing by Durjoy serves to tell a story and not to make the reader think of it from their own perspective, which ultimately results in readers to forget a sentence as soon as he or she turns the page. The characters are extremely self-conscious and know what they want and what will happen if they do this or do that, but continue to do so, so that Durjoy can complete his novel. Or it may be the other way round, I guess.
The story is pacy and it factors in engaging the reader, thus adding it to finish the novel, otherwise, at some moments I thought why I am reading this. Now when I am writing the review, I am wondering why Durjoy wrote this. I believe writing to be a time-consuming job or art-form than reading is and writing such a novel is more straining if you know that it might just be one of those stories which will be a passing phase and the creator of such stories may not even read it again as it won’t entice him or her at first place, so forget about the readers to remember it or cherish it for a long time. (By the way that is purely a personal opinion from a person who has written nothing.)
But I believe Durjoy has passed above all this and above the myth and magical aura artists carry. He knows what he is writing and to whom it will affect and obviously how much he will earn from it. Even while typing the novel, I guess, he may know the stupidity of his story and still continue to write it with a grin on his face while thinking of the people who will read it. Finding your style and audience is something many artist struggle for years. Keeping aside whatever others or I have to say about the quality of work and the impact it can have (may it be poor or long-lasting); Durjoy has found his style and audience. I don’t think I have the power and authority and even right to tell what one wants to read. Still in my subjective opinion, if one wants to engage in a one night stand, which will harm no one and will have no memory of it the other day, WBB is a novel for you. If you want a romantic and a lifetime relationship, you can simply avoid it.
A time ago, I read a quote on the internet by Alan Bennett from his play, The History Boys (which I haven’t read or seen). The quote is, “Clichés can be quite fun. That's how they got to be clichés.” When I read it, I felt it untrue. I always thought clichés to be boring and originality to be fun, new and something to look up to. Most of the others I know think the same and believe it from a long time. If one surfs the internet, one will find that many authors, filmmakers and people from various distinct has said the same about originality (directly or indirectly) and said it for ages, (from Aristotle to Nolan). Then doesn’t everyone’s search for originality and putting it in one’s art or technology for the sake of originality is also a cliché? And someone embracing the cliché and making it his or her own might be something new. Durjoy Datta is one of those new voices of Indian literature, who (I am saying after reading only one novel of his) embraces clichés and makes them his own in World’s Best Boyfriend.
WBB starts with a male protagonist Dhruv whose life is disturbed due to parental issues and how it affects him. He meets our female protagonist during this turmoil i>(who has her own issues) and how being with her affects him. A scandal between two leads to more chaos. It affects both of them and also affects almost all the other characters in the story. A leap in the story and their meeting by chance and the continuation of the story till it ends at the most commonplace a romantic story can end,(airport - the mecca of lovers confessing their love) finally puts an abrupt but a must needed stop on Durjoy Dutta’s novel WBB.
In between happens friendship, love, affairs, revenge, stupidity, stupidity, stupidity and stupidity. Once it ends, one wonders, for a few minutes or maybe an hour, what it was that hooked me in the story. The answer is simple, it is entertaining stupidity. Whatever it may be, WBB is an entertaining book. The main purpose of any art form might differ from person to person, but a major chunk of the purpose of any art form constitutes entertainment. WBB succeeds in its purpose one way or the other.
There is nothing much to say about the story except that it is straight out from a Bollywood movie or an MTV or Channel-V TV show (for which Durjoy has already written screenplays). The characters are fleshed out similarly to the way characters in such movies or TV shows are drawn. An angry dude having a perfect body and good looks and with a mix of some parental issue which helps to justify his actions becomes Dhruv. A cool professor who is smart and mysterious and who has patents, laurels, and what-not becomes Raghuvir or Raghuveer (I don’t remember). Some parents and their clichés of loving a son and not the daughter, mother crying or leaving husband for not loving him, father abusing or drinking and becoming irresponsible, etc, etc, etc constitutes periphery characters in the novel. A bimbo becomes Radhika and a funny, creepy, intelligent and many things become Sanchit (the best character in the book). The oddest out yet interesting character is Aranya. She is cunning, smart, confused, jealous and obviously with issues. Characters like her are almost kept as secondary or tertiary characters in a story but she is a female protagonist of WBB and Durjoy’s daring to give her that chance, adds to risk as a writer, which pays off in an otherwise OK novel. Other than that there is no risk he has taken in the story. He wrote it to be a one-time read and a one-time read it is.
The writing is as simple as one can write. The basic purpose of the writing by Durjoy serves to tell a story and not to make the reader think of it from their own perspective, which ultimately results in readers to forget a sentence as soon as he or she turns the page. The characters are extremely self-conscious and know what they want and what will happen if they do this or do that, but continue to do so, so that Durjoy can complete his novel. Or it may be the other way round, I guess.
The story is pacy and it factors in engaging the reader, thus adding it to finish the novel, otherwise, at some moments I thought why I am reading this. Now when I am writing the review, I am wondering why Durjoy wrote this. I believe writing to be a time-consuming job or art-form than reading is and writing such a novel is more straining if you know that it might just be one of those stories which will be a passing phase and the creator of such stories may not even read it again as it won’t entice him or her at first place, so forget about the readers to remember it or cherish it for a long time. (By the way that is purely a personal opinion from a person who has written nothing.)
But I believe Durjoy has passed above all this and above the myth and magical aura artists carry. He knows what he is writing and to whom it will affect and obviously how much he will earn from it. Even while typing the novel, I guess, he may know the stupidity of his story and still continue to write it with a grin on his face while thinking of the people who will read it. Finding your style and audience is something many artist struggle for years. Keeping aside whatever others or I have to say about the quality of work and the impact it can have (may it be poor or long-lasting); Durjoy has found his style and audience. I don’t think I have the power and authority and even right to tell what one wants to read. Still in my subjective opinion, if one wants to engage in a one night stand, which will harm no one and will have no memory of it the other day, WBB is a novel for you. If you want a romantic and a lifetime relationship, you can simply avoid it.
January 21, 2025
This book is not what it says. This is a book about psychotic behaviour, which is exactly what it needed to be so magnetic from the start till the end.
(Historically, I have had an extremely small attention span when reading books that fail to keep me grabbed from the beginning, so the fact that I actually finished this is telling a lot about the book)
It's a story about two people, a boy and a girl who had shockingly troubled childhoods in ways that wasn't their own fault, but it explains a lot about how they function later on even if their behaviours birthed from the circumstances they were in as children. The book dives into their mental psyche and does an incredible job at painting their mental canvases using ways that relate to you on a level that might make you cringe internally with the honesty being put forth.
The story largely arcs around the back and forth between these two people involving psychotic acts of degeneracy, and words you would rather die before letting your mother hear them.
It honestly sounds like a fever dream at a distance but on close inspection I found that a lot of it stems from the trauma these two beings endured throughout their lives that made them exactly like the ruthless, self-obsessive, but seemingly real and still relatable people that they were.
The book in the middle reads like a perverted vision of some of the world's most toxic behaviours all mixed into one situationship that literally takes ages to resolve. To witness these personalities change throughout the text that is set in a very believable college in India, is the biggest selling point and perfectly explains why this story is already being adapted into a TV show.
It also tries to paint a comparison between the wholly pragmatic, practical, almost robotic view of being in an attachment to someone versus a head-over-heels, overly attached (or overly detached?), suffocating form of love. My stance on this is very much balanced i.e. you need a little bit of both, but the way this gets discussed in the story is marvelous and really grinds my gears. I'd like to hear more on this from people who have read this book.
The book is not without it's flaws. There are characters that are simply caricatures and only act as plot devices. They become so uni-dimensional with their interactions that it is a drag to read through whenever they enter the scene. There is an extremely high amount of alcohol involved in this story, which is fine but the book, a lot of times, really only mentioned the act of drinking as just that - drinking, rather than getting into the reason that made the characters depend on it so much. It's not really a problem though, it was just slightly annoying because I really wanted to know why XD
P.S. There is a sidekick character in the story that felt like a self-insert who was always trying to progress the story in the direction the author wanted to, and they quickly became my favourite character! See if you are able to point this character out in your read.
(Historically, I have had an extremely small attention span when reading books that fail to keep me grabbed from the beginning, so the fact that I actually finished this is telling a lot about the book)
It's a story about two people, a boy and a girl who had shockingly troubled childhoods in ways that wasn't their own fault, but it explains a lot about how they function later on even if their behaviours birthed from the circumstances they were in as children. The book dives into their mental psyche and does an incredible job at painting their mental canvases using ways that relate to you on a level that might make you cringe internally with the honesty being put forth.
The story largely arcs around the back and forth between these two people involving psychotic acts of degeneracy, and words you would rather die before letting your mother hear them.
It honestly sounds like a fever dream at a distance but on close inspection I found that a lot of it stems from the trauma these two beings endured throughout their lives that made them exactly like the ruthless, self-obsessive, but seemingly real and still relatable people that they were.
The book in the middle reads like a perverted vision of some of the world's most toxic behaviours all mixed into one situationship that literally takes ages to resolve. To witness these personalities change throughout the text that is set in a very believable college in India, is the biggest selling point and perfectly explains why this story is already being adapted into a TV show.
It also tries to paint a comparison between the wholly pragmatic, practical, almost robotic view of being in an attachment to someone versus a head-over-heels, overly attached (or overly detached?), suffocating form of love. My stance on this is very much balanced i.e. you need a little bit of both, but the way this gets discussed in the story is marvelous and really grinds my gears. I'd like to hear more on this from people who have read this book.
The book is not without it's flaws. There are characters that are simply caricatures and only act as plot devices. They become so uni-dimensional with their interactions that it is a drag to read through whenever they enter the scene. There is an extremely high amount of alcohol involved in this story, which is fine but the book, a lot of times, really only mentioned the act of drinking as just that - drinking, rather than getting into the reason that made the characters depend on it so much. It's not really a problem though, it was just slightly annoying because I really wanted to know why XD
P.S. There is a sidekick character in the story that felt like a self-insert who was always trying to progress the story in the direction the author wanted to, and they quickly became my favourite character! See if you are able to point this character out in your read.
January 11, 2024
There were moments when I thought that this book promoted toxic relationships and everything seemed negative, but as I reached the last page, everything turned into a fairy tale, a loop that I never wanted to escape. The last words of this book were “I love you,” and I have never felt this happy and satisfied after completing a book. I’m already missing them both. I wanted to write a long review where I would have analyzed each and every stage I went through, but after crying for a straight half hour, I guess I need to postpone it.
Should you invest your money in this book?
Yes!!
Because even if you find this book toxic, depressing, or any fancy word to describe any of the words, You will feel something in your heart that I felt, and I’m sure you will.
Should you invest your money in this book?
Yes!!
Because even if you find this book toxic, depressing, or any fancy word to describe any of the words, You will feel something in your heart that I felt, and I’m sure you will.
May 22, 2019
Loved it💖
April 29, 2015
Durjoy Datta is back with his 11th fiction book and he is still busy in launching it in all the cities of India. I am glad to have read it even before people must have actually received it. "World's Best Boyfriend" is the name of his newest flick and to my surprise, it's his thickest book with 288 pages. The title of the book is quite cheesy and I wasn't expecting much out of it and therefore, I am not quite disappointed with this tale. I am at least happy that Durjoy is trying such stories from which he kept himself away for first 6 books. I am also liking the fact that he is writing solo books rather than with a co-author as he used to do initially.
Durjoy Datta's new book tells us a story about a girl Aranya who has a disease named vitiligo since birth because of which her parents always hated her and never a moment came in life when they treated her nicely. Her brother was always considered more superior to her even when she was very studious and always scored in top ranks. She meets a boy named Dhruv who is disturbed because his parents have separated as his mother leaves home with his school principal. This leads Dhruv to be very rough and unemotional all his life. Somehow, both-Aranya and Dhruv falls in love in school. After getting caught, they are separated and they only meet after couple of years to hate each other as much as possible. They try almost everything to ruin each other's peace but is the hatred only thing that they share between each other? Hatred for someone comes only when you consider them someone important in your mind. That's the plot on which World's Best Boyfriend is based upon.
The language of Durjoy Datta remains the same- quite urban and cool. He has stopped writing sex but begun writing "Fucks" in his book like its just another word in English without which the sentence couldn't be completed. The way he has characterized each of his protagonists is worth applauding like always. It isn't easy to base a book on a victim of a disease about whom we don't even give a second thought in our life. And then carrying it so appropriately whenever discussed about it is another greatness in his writing. But I felt that the story is quite stretched in few chapters where it could have been easily ended in a page or two keeping the impact intact. Description of each emotion for almost 20-25 sentences have only led in thickness of this book but doesn't make you feel anything stronger than you felt after reading the first sentence itself. Because of this, when you are done reading the climax, the predictability even after 288 pages of tale disappoints you.
There are wonderful moments in the book. How both the characters lie in front of their school committee immediately after getting caught. How Aranya's father comes in college after getting complaint about her after many years. How Aranya becomes the star of the college. How Raghuvir and Aranya starts conversing and falling in love. Such few scenes have been wonderfully written. Also, the humour between the lines by Durjoy is unavoidable and that's something which holds you for 7-8 hours in which you can easily complete reading this one. I liked the anti-climax where both Dhruv and Aranya are wanting to tell how they love each other but couldn't express because of their egos and historical record of hating each other and competing in almost every thing.
But still, the book carries many flaws and it's the biggest turn-off. Before Durjoy could have actually started to tell about a girl's whole life story on being a victim to a disease, he just stops discussing about it and the thing is forgotten somewhere. It comes only in few sentences where Dhruv calls her ugly repeatedly otherwise no discussion about the disease part and her current fight against it is spotted. Similarly, her father takes away her phone and how and when she gets it back is another sub-plot which Durjoy doesn't care to include in the book. Apart from all these drawbacks, the best and interesting part of this book is character of Sanchit. That keeps you alive and fresh. I give this 3.5 stars out of 5. Little better than Half Girlfriend. Haha! Yes! Now waiting for Durjoy Datta's 12th book.
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
December 30, 2020
World's Best Boyfriend by Durjoy Datta This is my fourth book from the same author, Durjoy Datta. I just love his work. I'm a huge fan of his writing and his lifestyle and the way he is. He's overall persona and vivacity all make me inspired. Okay, now I'm gonna talk about the story. So primarily this is a story which revolves around two teenagers Dhruv And Aranya. Both just get piles of negligence and humiliation from their surroundings and it compelled them to become isolated in their own world. Aranya has a skin disease, vitiligo, because of that everyone on and off humiliates her and behaves repulsively with her, especially her own parents and brother treats her like a piece of shit.
While on the other hand Dhruv is facing problems bcoz his parents were going to separate soon and rumours are torrid in school that his mother was having an affair with the school principal. These things chisel the mind set of Dhruv by negativity and he becomes a rebel against the whole world.
Dhruv and Aranyas' isolation is the main reason that they get closer to each other. But destiny has other plans for them and their ways part when she lies and he exaggerates her lie to the next level and makes her lie god-awful nightmare for her. Usually Things which we want to avoid spring in front of us like a stubborn kid who is seeking attention or mocking at us. Same thing happens with Aranya and Dhruv when they are praying to God that they would never cross paths with each other and wish death for each other. Fate plays its role and they meet in the same college after eight years. Where the cat and mouse show begins, they never miss a chance to hurt each other and fill all their precious occupation of their mind and heart from thoughts of each other. Is this a hate story or a love story in disguise of hatred? To know that, grab your copy.
School romance of Dhruv and Aranya which was cute, pure and innocent. I like the promises which they made. However that scene was short but still so precious. Author chose a different kind of subject that shows that how love and hate are the same, rare people can actually tell the difference between them.
Author spotlights the disease vitiligo which is going to spread awareness among those people who treat disabled people or people who don't have a fair colour awfully. Accepting differentiation must be the main agenda which we need to add in upbringings of children and in the education system.
Author enlightens in the book that parents need to understand how their differences made their own child suffer. If Dhruv parents mutually divorced without disputes and fights then Dhruv might be a different person. As all books of Durjoy which I previously read gave me the full masala movie vibe and so did this one. It has everything anger love romance sex fight conspiracies friendship hate and SARCASM. I mostly loved the character of Sanchit; he played the best role in the whole story. His conversation with Dhruv and Aranya was sarcastic and hilarious, his the one who brings the laughter between tension. And his plans and conspiracies are next level. Though I don't like the climax, it seems like the author put everything to make a delicious spicy dish but forgot to put salt in it. After enlightening the strongest point, the story ended on a fragile note.
If I put the climax aside this book is not less than a roller coaster ride. It's a good entertaining book which won't bore you and will make you aware about the skin disease vitiligo and tells how awfully society and in some worse cases family treated the patient of it. And this book has a totally different philosophy on love so to know that you can grab a copy. If you wanna entertain yourself and experience a totally different kind of love story which has less romantic scenes and a lot of fights of ego then you can grab it but if you like moral stories then you might ignore this one.
-Abhi panwar
While on the other hand Dhruv is facing problems bcoz his parents were going to separate soon and rumours are torrid in school that his mother was having an affair with the school principal. These things chisel the mind set of Dhruv by negativity and he becomes a rebel against the whole world.
Dhruv and Aranyas' isolation is the main reason that they get closer to each other. But destiny has other plans for them and their ways part when she lies and he exaggerates her lie to the next level and makes her lie god-awful nightmare for her. Usually Things which we want to avoid spring in front of us like a stubborn kid who is seeking attention or mocking at us. Same thing happens with Aranya and Dhruv when they are praying to God that they would never cross paths with each other and wish death for each other. Fate plays its role and they meet in the same college after eight years. Where the cat and mouse show begins, they never miss a chance to hurt each other and fill all their precious occupation of their mind and heart from thoughts of each other. Is this a hate story or a love story in disguise of hatred? To know that, grab your copy.
School romance of Dhruv and Aranya which was cute, pure and innocent. I like the promises which they made. However that scene was short but still so precious. Author chose a different kind of subject that shows that how love and hate are the same, rare people can actually tell the difference between them.
Author spotlights the disease vitiligo which is going to spread awareness among those people who treat disabled people or people who don't have a fair colour awfully. Accepting differentiation must be the main agenda which we need to add in upbringings of children and in the education system.
Author enlightens in the book that parents need to understand how their differences made their own child suffer. If Dhruv parents mutually divorced without disputes and fights then Dhruv might be a different person. As all books of Durjoy which I previously read gave me the full masala movie vibe and so did this one. It has everything anger love romance sex fight conspiracies friendship hate and SARCASM. I mostly loved the character of Sanchit; he played the best role in the whole story. His conversation with Dhruv and Aranya was sarcastic and hilarious, his the one who brings the laughter between tension. And his plans and conspiracies are next level. Though I don't like the climax, it seems like the author put everything to make a delicious spicy dish but forgot to put salt in it. After enlightening the strongest point, the story ended on a fragile note.
If I put the climax aside this book is not less than a roller coaster ride. It's a good entertaining book which won't bore you and will make you aware about the skin disease vitiligo and tells how awfully society and in some worse cases family treated the patient of it. And this book has a totally different philosophy on love so to know that you can grab a copy. If you wanna entertain yourself and experience a totally different kind of love story which has less romantic scenes and a lot of fights of ego then you can grab it but if you like moral stories then you might ignore this one.
-Abhi panwar
July 2, 2015
My Thoughts :
After completed his " When only love remains and Till the last breath " i comes to this book. " World Best Boyfriend " :-) Very catchy title and pleasant look book cover will hook the reader leads to buy the book. I like the author's narration of the story it keeps the reader holding till you turn the last page of the book. No prologue No epilogue Author straightly enter in to the chapter totally it contains 81 chapters i think this is the first thickest book of him 288 pages.Each and Every characters was perfectly defined and blended easily for the flow of story.Easy language , perfect page turner.Coming to the characters main protagonists of this book Dhruv and aranya. Author portrayed and conveyed very well . I liked the way they hatred each other later they recognized difference between the word "LOVE" and "HATE" actually that is the main theme of this book . Sanchit This is the only character keeps you holding the book when you feel bored reading. i really like sanchit character compare to main protagonists. In the whole book i liked the "Dhruv and his father conversation" it really means a lot author narrated that impeccable I feel that is the best part of in this book :) Gripping Story moves like up's&down's also including twists and turns. I felt only one bad "Fuck" word it comes again & again personally i dislike that. Overall i enjoyed reading very well. But compare to the till the last breath this book had not beaten up that. Good read and must read :) happy reading :)
- See more at: http://bloggerkarthickudaiy.blogspot....
After completed his " When only love remains and Till the last breath " i comes to this book. " World Best Boyfriend " :-) Very catchy title and pleasant look book cover will hook the reader leads to buy the book. I like the author's narration of the story it keeps the reader holding till you turn the last page of the book. No prologue No epilogue Author straightly enter in to the chapter totally it contains 81 chapters i think this is the first thickest book of him 288 pages.Each and Every characters was perfectly defined and blended easily for the flow of story.Easy language , perfect page turner.Coming to the characters main protagonists of this book Dhruv and aranya. Author portrayed and conveyed very well . I liked the way they hatred each other later they recognized difference between the word "LOVE" and "HATE" actually that is the main theme of this book . Sanchit This is the only character keeps you holding the book when you feel bored reading. i really like sanchit character compare to main protagonists. In the whole book i liked the "Dhruv and his father conversation" it really means a lot author narrated that impeccable I feel that is the best part of in this book :) Gripping Story moves like up's&down's also including twists and turns. I felt only one bad "Fuck" word it comes again & again personally i dislike that. Overall i enjoyed reading very well. But compare to the till the last breath this book had not beaten up that. Good read and must read :) happy reading :)
- See more at: http://bloggerkarthickudaiy.blogspot....
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