What do you think?
Rate this book
Bombay Rains, Bombay Girls
Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here
On learning that I was going to study medicine in Bombay, someone had said to me, ' You've got to see two things in Bombay: the Bombay rains and the Bombay girls.'
When Adi - a small town eighteen year old with a gaint inferiority complex lands a chance to study medicine in big, bad Bombay, he is overjoyed. Although plagued by the thought that his success is a fluke and hence ill gotten, he plunges headlong into the sights and sound of this dazzling city.
Adi's initiation into college life isn't the most promising...... A night of ragging by a bunch of sniggering seniors brings him and his equally vulnerable batch mates close to tears..... But gradually, he finds his feet in the world and makes friends with a motley crew. He also has his heart broken and falls in love ..... In that order.
On learning that I was going to study medicine in Bombay, someone had said to me, ' You've got to see two things in Bombay: the Bombay rains and the Bombay girls.'
When Adi - a small town eighteen year old with a gaint inferiority complex lands a chance to study medicine in big, bad Bombay, he is overjoyed. Although plagued by the thought that his success is a fluke and hence ill gotten, he plunges headlong into the sights and sound of this dazzling city.
Adi's initiation into college life isn't the most promising...... A night of ragging by a bunch of sniggering seniors brings him and his equally vulnerable batch mates close to tears..... But gradually, he finds his feet in the world and makes friends with a motley crew. He also has his heart broken and falls in love ..... In that order.
453 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2013
52 people are currently reading
688 people want to read
About the author
Anirban Bose
22 books28 followersA doctor by profession, Anirban was born and brought up in Ranchi, and has, at various points in his life, called Mumbai, New York City, Atlanta and Rochester, home.
He was assistant professor of medicine at the University of Rochester, NY, till he packed his bags and returned to India in 2007.
Other than writing he is passionate about music. He now lives with his wife and two children in Kolkata.
He was assistant professor of medicine at the University of Rochester, NY, till he packed his bags and returned to India in 2007.
Other than writing he is passionate about music. He now lives with his wife and two children in Kolkata.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 19, 2012
The author is a doctor by profession and it is very clear that he has poured in all his experiences during his medical studies. I would not be surprised if the characters mentioned in this book are similar to some of the real characters who studied with the author.
This book details the first two years in the medical college of a small town boy with inferiority complex and how over this period his personality changed to outgoing, outspoken and someone who is bold enough to go to girls and ask for a date. In a very interesting narration you will also find how his heart broke and how then he understood the meaning of love and then found it.
In this book you will also see a brief impact of strikes in medical colleges and how a patient trusts a person just because he is wearing a white coat.
Through the characters of this book, the author has also effectively put in his thoughts about how the people from north east are alienated because of their distinct facial features and also touch base in the marathi versus non-marathi debate and the religion based feelings.
I am not sure why the author chose to name the book as "Bombay Rains, Bombay Girls", but irrespective of the name the book was an interesting read and I enjoyed it.
This book details the first two years in the medical college of a small town boy with inferiority complex and how over this period his personality changed to outgoing, outspoken and someone who is bold enough to go to girls and ask for a date. In a very interesting narration you will also find how his heart broke and how then he understood the meaning of love and then found it.
In this book you will also see a brief impact of strikes in medical colleges and how a patient trusts a person just because he is wearing a white coat.
Through the characters of this book, the author has also effectively put in his thoughts about how the people from north east are alienated because of their distinct facial features and also touch base in the marathi versus non-marathi debate and the religion based feelings.
I am not sure why the author chose to name the book as "Bombay Rains, Bombay Girls", but irrespective of the name the book was an interesting read and I enjoyed it.
June 24, 2012
The first half was boring but the second half was damn interesting.... toshi's death brought tears in my eyes.. it's described wonderfully as me myself living the moment.. awesome it is especially for the ones who are into medicines... and Ya the most important thing I noticed is this story is like the heroes of zindagi na milegi dobara...each have a different sad story behind them... thoroughly enjoyed...
December 30, 2010
starts off very very slow and then zooms like a roller coaster.. good read
April 2, 2012
The book was only a bit different from Five point someone by cheatan bhagat. Mumbai city has been portrayed nicely throughout the book including the various other places and the boys experience in the train.Overall I felt it was ok but I definitely wouldn't call it great. Your typical time pass book.
May 15, 2012
I'm a Bombay girl in mad mad mad mad love bordering on the insane for Bombay rains!! So it was nothing but the title that made me want to read this book. And the book did not disappoint. Very nice read and from my experiences with close friends who are medical students, very very real indeed! :)
January 7, 2013
Its not a bad boring one. A good read for a train journey! The writing is simple and slightly reminding me of Five point someone from Chetan bhagat. Yet you can read this book after you have done some really heavy scientific reading.
January 5, 2016
Novel: Bombay Rains , Bombay girls
Author:Anirban(Professor)
Introduction: This is a story about the student who is from the middle class family and by fluke he got selected for a medical college and his journey from small village to Bombay . He becomes from dud to stud during this span as a medical student at one of the reputed college in Bombay. Other characters in the story will revolve around this boy.
Review:
This book contains all ingredients of experience of what medical student goes through during initial years from ragging ,friendship , betrayal ,Love, courage with conviction, faces challenge , he introspect himself to come out of these situations. One striking feature of the author mentioned in this book is Life is strange and there is one thing certain about life is uncertainty, it makes you think over again and again.
Also some of the characters portrayed by author, Sam and Toshi both are dissimilar in their appearance but their common approach to the faith makes them similar and drawn towards each other. At last author says, we are all human beings we do mistakes, cry, repent it and forgive the others during our short time of life journey. Also enjoys each others success in happiness times and become stronger together in the challenging time that is the beauty of life where we live in this world.
Conclusion:
This book should be in your shelf if you are avid, voracious reader and love English literature .The choice of English words used by author is make him versatile. Author is a profession by medical, he could able to draw attention of the reader for some of the general medicines terminologies and also the common man faces diseases like Typhoid and labor pain in Ob-gyn. In my view I will give this book rating of 4 out of 5. But only thing I didn’t like about this book is the title of the book, that doesn’t seem to fit after I finished the reading . If you are in Bombay, love Bombay he may not like the idea what I am saying. May be it would have been “Adi in ……………………”
Author:Anirban(Professor)
Introduction: This is a story about the student who is from the middle class family and by fluke he got selected for a medical college and his journey from small village to Bombay . He becomes from dud to stud during this span as a medical student at one of the reputed college in Bombay. Other characters in the story will revolve around this boy.
Review:
This book contains all ingredients of experience of what medical student goes through during initial years from ragging ,friendship , betrayal ,Love, courage with conviction, faces challenge , he introspect himself to come out of these situations. One striking feature of the author mentioned in this book is Life is strange and there is one thing certain about life is uncertainty, it makes you think over again and again.
Also some of the characters portrayed by author, Sam and Toshi both are dissimilar in their appearance but their common approach to the faith makes them similar and drawn towards each other. At last author says, we are all human beings we do mistakes, cry, repent it and forgive the others during our short time of life journey. Also enjoys each others success in happiness times and become stronger together in the challenging time that is the beauty of life where we live in this world.
Conclusion:
This book should be in your shelf if you are avid, voracious reader and love English literature .The choice of English words used by author is make him versatile. Author is a profession by medical, he could able to draw attention of the reader for some of the general medicines terminologies and also the common man faces diseases like Typhoid and labor pain in Ob-gyn. In my view I will give this book rating of 4 out of 5. But only thing I didn’t like about this book is the title of the book, that doesn’t seem to fit after I finished the reading . If you are in Bombay, love Bombay he may not like the idea what I am saying. May be it would have been “Adi in ……………………”
March 9, 2013
I got 'Bombay Rains,Bombay Girls' yesterday through Homeshop18.I completed the whole novel in 6 hours.I hold special affection for the author as he is from my hometown Ranchi :)Adi,a teenager from Ranchi makes it to the prestigious Grant Medical College and lands in Big Bad Bombay.Initially,he has a huge inferiority complex and considers his success to be fluke. Adi makes friends with Harsha,Rajeev,Sam,Pheru and Toshi who are all different from each other,variegated in their own terms but still care for each other.As time passes,Adi becomes one of the most popular guys of his batch and regains his confidence.Heart broken once, Adi finds love again but as things run smoothly for him,tragedy strucks. Can Adi come out of this emotional trauma?A series of incidences that happen with him and his gang make them ponder about life and emerge as better persons.A truly inspiring book for both medicos and non-medicos and how we can rise as individuals.
I really liked the way the author has portrayed all the characters especially Toshi,Adi and Pheru but I feel that the story has remained incomplete somewhere as the readers would like to know if Pheru passed his exam or not,did Adi and Isha get married or not.Otherwise,the book makes for a delightful read.An entertaining book for medicos :)
I really liked the way the author has portrayed all the characters especially Toshi,Adi and Pheru but I feel that the story has remained incomplete somewhere as the readers would like to know if Pheru passed his exam or not,did Adi and Isha get married or not.Otherwise,the book makes for a delightful read.An entertaining book for medicos :)
March 19, 2010
Hostel life like i remember it ;) The story is lot like what you would have already read or seen in teen movies :) But anyways a neat read. Thumbs up from me :)
February 28, 2011
A page turner, but not a mindless one. Liked it a lot in certain parts.
March 12, 2011
I hated this book. Writing effort is okay , but characterisation , plot - too predictable , too cheesy - like a bollywood screenplay. Ughh..
June 17, 2012
This will forever stay as the most amazing book I have ever read.
March 16, 2013
Truly brilliant!!it is entertaining but at the same time it touches on a lot of serious subject....my life in college was really boring compared to this book-)
February 13, 2016
It doesn't really do much to stand out from a now crowded campus-based genre and is very predictable from start to finish.
June 14, 2017
The book is about the a boy Adi who comes from a small town to Mumbai to study to be come a Doctor. He joins the prestigious J. J. Hospital. He forms friendship with four -five others who make up a motley group. A diffident Harsha who cannot speak good English, a over narcissist Rajeev, Toshi a boy from far out Nagaland, Sam a boy from Pune who is not considered a Maharashtrian because he is not a Hindu and Jagdeep a sardar.
Pheru, a student who has not gone past the 2nd year thanks to his having antagonized the dean rags the motley group, but circumstances force him to join them.
Two other girls, Renuka and Ishita complete the key characters in the book.
A very good read.
Pheru, a student who has not gone past the 2nd year thanks to his having antagonized the dean rags the motley group, but circumstances force him to join them.
Two other girls, Renuka and Ishita complete the key characters in the book.
A very good read.
November 12, 2012
"Bombay Rains Bombay Girls" follows Adi from his arrival in Bombay through a few years of medical school and the lessons he learns. The title comes from what one of Adi's friends tells him are the two things he has to see in Bombay.
Adi is from a village in Bihar and is off on his way to becoming a doctor at a prestigious medical school in Bombay. The book opens with him and his father getting into Bombay and their first experience is when their taxi driver hits another car in traffic and the other driver comes over with a knife and beats the taxi driver.
Very early Adi gains a reputation for being smart and cool under pressure, after he and the guy next to him get caught by the teacher turning back during class to look up the skirts of the girls behind, and Adi's quick thinking in helping his friend answer the teacher's question about what she was lecturing on.
As Adi progresses through college he becomes more and more popular and gets along with almost everyone, but the story just has a core group of his friends and a couple of girls.
He gets his heart broken by one girl, but then slowly develops a relationship with another, who teaches him the importance of doing what he thinks is right, using Atticus Finch as an example.
Adi gets to put this into action when the residents go on strike about conditions at the hospital and he has the choice of pleasing his striking friends or helping dying patients who look up to him as a doctor, even though he's still a student. His explanation to the husband of a patient about letting her die for the greater good of the hospital really hit home to him.
But this gets tested later on when he and his friends witness a murder, but know they can't do anything since the murderer is a high ranking politician.
The book isn't too bad, a very fast read, partly due to very narrow columns of text making each page quite short. I had a lot of trouble keeping track of time in the novel, and how much time passed between events. It felt very inconsistent.
Bose begins and ends the book with a chapter each in first person, but in between it's all third person, however I kept getting confused by that and too much felt like it was narrated from Adi and then suddenly he'd be referred to in the third person again.
Overall, not bad, but not absolutely fantastic, either.
Adi is from a village in Bihar and is off on his way to becoming a doctor at a prestigious medical school in Bombay. The book opens with him and his father getting into Bombay and their first experience is when their taxi driver hits another car in traffic and the other driver comes over with a knife and beats the taxi driver.
Very early Adi gains a reputation for being smart and cool under pressure, after he and the guy next to him get caught by the teacher turning back during class to look up the skirts of the girls behind, and Adi's quick thinking in helping his friend answer the teacher's question about what she was lecturing on.
As Adi progresses through college he becomes more and more popular and gets along with almost everyone, but the story just has a core group of his friends and a couple of girls.
He gets his heart broken by one girl, but then slowly develops a relationship with another, who teaches him the importance of doing what he thinks is right, using Atticus Finch as an example.
Adi gets to put this into action when the residents go on strike about conditions at the hospital and he has the choice of pleasing his striking friends or helping dying patients who look up to him as a doctor, even though he's still a student. His explanation to the husband of a patient about letting her die for the greater good of the hospital really hit home to him.
But this gets tested later on when he and his friends witness a murder, but know they can't do anything since the murderer is a high ranking politician.
The book isn't too bad, a very fast read, partly due to very narrow columns of text making each page quite short. I had a lot of trouble keeping track of time in the novel, and how much time passed between events. It felt very inconsistent.
Bose begins and ends the book with a chapter each in first person, but in between it's all third person, however I kept getting confused by that and too much felt like it was narrated from Adi and then suddenly he'd be referred to in the third person again.
Overall, not bad, but not absolutely fantastic, either.
January 6, 2015
*SPOILER ALERT*
This book was weird. I felt that it started off pretty promisingly. It was a simple story, fun to read and a good look at campus life in a Bombay medical college. A small town boy, Adi, arrives in Bombay for college, lets go of his inhibitions, explores the city, makes friends and finds his calling in becoming a doctor. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 300 pages of the book and was prepared to overlook any faults (including the minor but nonetheless annoying fact that Bombay rains are hardly shown in their full splendour-hard to forgive in a book that has that as part of the title)
Then /the incident/ had to happen- Toshi dying- which by the way, I clearly saw coming the moment he boarded the flight. Then follows a highly contrived trip across India with every one of Toshi's friends confronting their demons and changing to better people and discovering what they really want. I felt that this was totally like something out of a movie. Especially the delivery at an army camp.
The book tried to be a bit too ambitious including the attempts to explain the concept of a nation and unity. It was a book that tried too hard and for me, ended up falling short.
This book was weird. I felt that it started off pretty promisingly. It was a simple story, fun to read and a good look at campus life in a Bombay medical college. A small town boy, Adi, arrives in Bombay for college, lets go of his inhibitions, explores the city, makes friends and finds his calling in becoming a doctor. I thoroughly enjoyed the first 300 pages of the book and was prepared to overlook any faults (including the minor but nonetheless annoying fact that Bombay rains are hardly shown in their full splendour-hard to forgive in a book that has that as part of the title)
Then /the incident/ had to happen- Toshi dying- which by the way, I clearly saw coming the moment he boarded the flight. Then follows a highly contrived trip across India with every one of Toshi's friends confronting their demons and changing to better people and discovering what they really want. I felt that this was totally like something out of a movie. Especially the delivery at an army camp.
The book tried to be a bit too ambitious including the attempts to explain the concept of a nation and unity. It was a book that tried too hard and for me, ended up falling short.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2020
One more old reads and I liked it for it's story which is a different enough and written in a better manner. Hopefully I would be able to read this book again someday.
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.
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.
September 29, 2014
I was looking for a light comedy when I stumbled upon this books (It actually came as a free e-book from flipkart :) ).
As you read this book, you get a feeling that, this book has been written by someone who has seen enough of life to contemplate his past actions. Coupled with the normal , run of the mill language used , it makes for a delightful read. It has its share of emotions but, is by no means, a tear-jerker. The story moves along at a good pace and the depiction of Campus Life is quite authentic. Additionally, even though this book is based on Campus Life (of a Medical College no less!), it has no graphic details of amorous activities ; a pleasant deviation from the recent trends.
All in all, you wouldn't be disappointed after reading this novel. For me, it was 5 hours well spent!
As you read this book, you get a feeling that, this book has been written by someone who has seen enough of life to contemplate his past actions. Coupled with the normal , run of the mill language used , it makes for a delightful read. It has its share of emotions but, is by no means, a tear-jerker. The story moves along at a good pace and the depiction of Campus Life is quite authentic. Additionally, even though this book is based on Campus Life (of a Medical College no less!), it has no graphic details of amorous activities ; a pleasant deviation from the recent trends.
All in all, you wouldn't be disappointed after reading this novel. For me, it was 5 hours well spent!
February 3, 2014
What started as a slow beginning, caught pace after the first few chapters. Similar to books on college life- especially hostel life while studying for specialized courses.
Will be a very good read during long journeys.
Has all the ingredients for a hit story- friendship, love, betrayal, morals, tragedy, lessons, miracles. Did not understand the relevance of the book’s name to the story. Some descriptions of Mumbai’s routine life and landscape is beautifully written. If you like a light read-go for it!!
Will be a very good read during long journeys.
Has all the ingredients for a hit story- friendship, love, betrayal, morals, tragedy, lessons, miracles. Did not understand the relevance of the book’s name to the story. Some descriptions of Mumbai’s routine life and landscape is beautifully written. If you like a light read-go for it!!
August 24, 2015
Author - Doctor by Profession and used lots of Medical Jargans which is typical to catch and I am forced to Google everytime I come across such Jargans...
I couldn't relate the Title of the book with its storyline... Could have worked on the Title better...
Novel talks mostly about Medical College autracities and Politics. Not much interesting but could be read once.
Dear Authors, Please avaoid such novels and we already feel Monotony...
I felt the book has a Typical Chetan Bhagat style except for the Language....
I couldn't relate the Title of the book with its storyline... Could have worked on the Title better...
Novel talks mostly about Medical College autracities and Politics. Not much interesting but could be read once.
Dear Authors, Please avaoid such novels and we already feel Monotony...
I felt the book has a Typical Chetan Bhagat style except for the Language....
April 5, 2016
Read in one of those golden high school days, this book is about life in a big city med school, friendships, love, heartbreak and ideals. Of course the book is cheesy with big dramatic incidents happening now and then. But surprisingly at the time when I read this everything seemed believable.
The prose is sufficiently fluid with well built characters. Love this book just for the memories it brings back to me!
The prose is sufficiently fluid with well built characters. Love this book just for the memories it brings back to me!
March 26, 2009
"I just finished reading this book by Anirban Bose. I found thebook ordinary. There is nothing in the book that is entertaining or insightful. I had picked it up after reading a review but the book is certainly overrated. I found the characters okay. It's a book yo can read and kill time on a long distance train journey.
June 13, 2012
I am not sure why it is being compared to Five Point Someone except both stories take place in educational institutions. Personally I liked the strong narrative voice of this book much better than most popular books by Indian authors. This definitely deserves praise for the language and plot. And the part about NE is also very true according to my NE friends.
December 13, 2012
Good for light reading.. for people with a medical background it is like a nostalgic ride. Dont expect a literary masterpice. It is a typical masala story where a boy meets a beautiful girl but the way the author has dealt with emotions like grief, pain, betrayal it is heartwarming.
August 10, 2016
A beautiful fictional story that captures the mind of the reader and gives a sneak peak in to the meaning of love and life. The story conveys a very simple moral - "how each decision can change the direction of life and that it is on us to take these small decisions and be what we want to be".
January 22, 2009
a bit near to five point someone in terms of narration.. but dont really expect it to be 5. a god read which makes u nostalgic about your college days...
Read
March 18, 2010nice one
August 6, 2010
Don't read this book. I asked a guy at Cross World Book Store in India for few good novel by Indian Authors and he suggested this. This book is not an intelligent read at all.
Read
October 5, 2010good time pass book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews