One Night @ the Call Centre
Let me put this straight, this is not close to Five Point Someone, but that does not make it a bad second effort. No, not bad at all.
This time around, Chetan Bhagat tells a story closer to a larger section of the youth population. If you have ever worked in corporate environment, not necessarily a call centre, you can relate to bits and pieces of the book.
This is a story of five friends who work in just another call center in Gurgaon. They do the usual stuff that you and I do, they visit the same places as us, they have similar aspirations and similar problems – well more or less similar problems.
This story of one night takes off pretty well, and grows on you fast. However, as morning approaches, the story begins to stagger. It wobbles and falls flat in the end. No, I did not like the treatment of the last bit. I am not talking about the important call they receive but about how these friends react to the call and save the world. It is very Bollywood-ish.
But in Bhagat’s defense, he manages to give us another easy read. Good to kill time during your train travel to visit your mother.
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Read the book during the weekend and I felt pretty much the same way. It’s pretty cleverly written till the half way mark. Not a brilliant effort. And very very IITianish.
Comment by Sushubh — 11/14/2005 @ 6:44 pm
Overall nice book (except the last one page. Come on now, its difficult to believe that people have actally met GOD!!!). Indeed the topic chosen for Chetan Bhagat’s second book is quite ideal for India today.
I was there at the launch of the book at Kolkata and heard him say a lot on how our youth should give back to the country whatever it can.. My question to Chetan is, what is he doing towards it? Yeah writing this book was one great thing but i really wanna know what else is he doing for his country?
Comment by swanandita — 11/17/2005 @ 6:38 pm
I just started to read, went through the prologue…. i feel that chetan is really lucky to find such a good story teller. hope that he can relate with simpler things than the supernatural to sell his book. theres more to life than IIT’s / IIM’s or call centers… seek and thou shall find
Comment by Brillian — 12/3/2005 @ 4:01 pm
true.
Comment by Sushubh — 12/4/2005 @ 5:13 pm
One should appreciate chetan’s effort to inspire people whose life got severely screwed. But unfortunately it does not appeal to section of readers who would like to read sensible stuff. Half of the book is good. Rest is bull. I appreciate Chetan’s appetite for humor. I really enjoyed reading some of the comparisons and and the way shyam thinks about others.
Chetan’s way of telling story has become very much predictable and monotonous. Its like world through loser’s eyes (A loser who is in IIT and having company of sexy gal in 5.Someone, and a looser who has got a sexy gal friend and gets 15k grand in ON@CC). One smart chap would be with that loser(Ryan in 5.Someone and Vroom in ON@CC). Both of them with some help from other losers do some stupid things initially which will occupy half of the book. Then comes a twist in the tale. After that they realize the quality which they are lacking. Ultimately they get settled well.
But I would still call Chetan a youth writer because he entertains the reader till he finishes the book. But once you are done with reading it you feel like most of it is puerile stuff. I like the language he has chosen to nerrate the story.
One can comfortably get this book and finish it in 4-5 hrs. On top of it, books price is 95/- bucks which is like icing on the cake.
Worth the money spent.
Comment by coolbuddy — 12/5/2005 @ 9:09 pm
One should appreciate chetan’s effort to inspire people whose life got severely screwed. But unfortunately it does not appeal to section of readers who would like to read sensible stuff. Half of the book is good. Rest is bull. I appreciate Chetan’s appetite for humor. I really enjoyed reading some of the comparisons and and the way shyam thinks about others.
Chetan’s way of telling story has become very much predictable and monotonous. Its like world through loser’s eyes (A loser who is in IIT and having company of sexy gal in 5.Someone, and a looser who has got a sexy gal friend and gets 15k grand in ON@CC). One smart chap would be with that loser(Ryan in 5.Someone and Vroom in ON@CC). Both of them with some help from other losers do some stupid things initially which will occupy half of the book. Then comes a twist in the tale. After that they realize the quality which they are lacking. Ultimately they get settled well.
But I would still call Chetan a youth writer because he entertains the reader till he finishes the book. But once you are done with reading it you feel like most of it is puerile stuff. I like the language he has chosen to nerrate the story.
Comment by coolbuddy — 12/5/2005 @ 9:10 pm
Yup, I agree with you that Bhagat is a writer for the youth and a very promising one at that. I did not like the last portion of the book but he sure has great signs. For example, the ease with which the whole God calling thing is done is remarkable. It really went down well with me. I am definitely going to pick up his next book as well.
Comment by anupma — 12/5/2005 @ 10:27 pm
Yup, I do agree that the obvious similarities between the two books are there to be seen…. but that doesn’t stop one from liking ON@CC.
Yes… its difficult to digest that the yankees are that dumb…
But Man..!!!!
this bhagat fella is a good writer ……I’m damn sure he will end up
making/scripting films at some point of time … take my word……I
believe this novel does have making of a very good movie ……
hey Chetan … We are already waiting for your third book… Three Cheers for Chetan …
Comment by ROhit — 12/16/2005 @ 11:05 am
i think d book wasnt gr8 but 5.sme1 was much better n more enjoyable n fun. d story is quite d same actualy but his way of writtin is appreciable n amusing …
Comment by charitra — 12/20/2005 @ 11:09 pm
Very bollywood… true point. I thought that this would be an interestng and funny metaphysical examination of modern society from the cover, but it was just a bollywood movie waiting to happen. Looses all credibility after the phone call - terrorise americans to increase call volumes? Sure, like that wouldn’t cause questions to be asked and contracts to be lost. Shame, was a promising concept.
James
Comment by James — 12/27/2005 @ 12:44 pm
padhe ki na padhe?
Reviews se to lagta hai ki chatu hai aur bahut hawabaazi ho gayee hai.koi bhavnao ko samjhe to reply de dena.
padhe ki na padhe?
Comment by amod — 12/29/2005 @ 1:33 am
Well,i must say that chetan hasn’t lived upto the hype that surrounded the arrival of his 2nd book folowing the whopping success of his maiden work.Five point someone was an instant hit amongst the student community as they could easily relate to it,though it wasn’t a great work either.This time,chetan could have easily done away with the GOD thing.There are of course some highs in the storytelling.For instance,the romantic angle has been really well treated.The characterisation too is very believable.The book is surely an interesting read,but doesn’t manage to linger in the minds of the reader once the novel is over..something FPS can truly boast of.
Comment by Sumit — 1/19/2006 @ 5:54 pm
itz a good book ,worth reading!! i did not buy the book,borrowed it from one of my friendz,i felt 5. someone was much better than this!!!!
Comment by roopa — 1/24/2006 @ 12:59 am
if compared to 5 point someone , this book does not stand anywhere, but still it was a nice timepass.
Comment by avijit — 1/27/2006 @ 12:15 am
Well, to say the least, the book is hugely dissappointing. Chetan claims to be a youth writer but doesnt seem to understand the sentiments of youth as all. Well mate, you have ur concepts of a loser all wrong. The GOD part was the most pathetic attempt at a solution I have ever seen. Well, Mr. Bhagat, have u even thot bout the college students in a call center who balance their lives between work and studies. Its a huge thing to get into an IIM and that too being an IIM Ahmedabad Alumnus, this is not what you expect from him. Overall you leave the book with a feeling of ‘what crap’ !!! Please research a little more thoroghly and spare us the pain. I had felt i wasnt reading enuf of Indian authors but after ON@TCC, I feel rather tempted to stick to the Grishams and Archers. At least they make an attempt and dont bullshit you.
Comment by Ravi — 1/29/2006 @ 11:54 pm
well yes a good entertaining book … the book is full of love, mental trauma. the writer has taken help of supernatural to tell his message to youth. i cant find why he asked few things inthe begining and has nothing to do even when book finishted… i mean am i going to oversome my those 3 things/thoughts after reading the book… cant find anyting inspiring.. just a sort of tale it is ON@TCC. u guys out there can have fun reading it.
Comment by ravi — 2/11/2006 @ 10:56 pm
well i havnt read the whole book yet, m still into Shyam-Priyanka dates and all… but i think the author has quite correctly portrayed the thinking of Call-Center guys towards the S/w guys.And in his writing, view of an Engineer towards a call-center gal is also visible(The way Priyanka got drnk and had sx wid shyam in the Cab). I knw dat view coz am a s/w engnr myself.
I wud say..not really a piece of art..but worth reading, specially if u r a Call-center or a s/w guy!!
Comment by Gaurav Aggarwal — 2/28/2006 @ 1:38 pm
This book was mentioned on GMA this morning in NY. The opinions of the call center workers of American’s are similar to American’s opinions of Indians. When you recieve a call from America regarding a technically question, usually its from an average joe who might not have the tecnically savey to figure out something on his own.
Now let me discribe my experience with call centers (specifically Dell’s call center). You have someone on the other side of the phone, with an american name and an indian accent. He is totally reading from a script. When he messes up, he restarts reading from the script. If asked a question not practiced or within the scope of the script, he goes into panic mode.
This is not only evident in call centers. I work with many individuals in the pharma industry in India. if anything is requested outside the scope of the Work Order, or their SOP’s panic ensues. indians are robotic. They are well versed/experts in their line of work or what they have been educated on, but if you ask them to think outside the box, or come up with a more streamlined and efficient process, the box they think within crumbles and panic ensues. I am not same all Inidans are like this, but most that I have worked with. What is disheartening with this situation, is that I am an Indian. Born in India, but educated in America. I really did not want to do this. However the refusal to adapt to a different work requirement and the sriff it caused was just not worth it anymore
I agree American primary education system is horrendous, however the secondary education here is superb. Colleges here require inovative thinking. They encourage creativeness.
This is where the seperation occurs. Indian colleges are all about what you know(memorize). But inovation is stagnant. this has to change if the globalization effort and outsourcing is to hold up. Eventually the frustration of working like this will eventually outweigh the costs.
Comment by Johnson Varughese — 3/2/2006 @ 9:20 pm
hmmm.. i’ven’t read Chetan’s 1st book. But i think after reading the reviews i would love the first one too. May be my taste is too bollywoodish but once i started reading ON@TCC,i could not sleep b4 finishing the book. It took me 5 hrs of reading. I think its a great time pass if you r on a journey. i would be looking forward for his 3rd book.Chetan Bhagat is a very entertaining writer i would say.
Comment by Raji — 3/16/2006 @ 12:23 pm
Its quite entangled in stereotype version like the same old stories
Comment by manoj — 3/20/2006 @ 2:10 am
ON@TCC sounded like an interesting book to me. I finished reading the book and thought it was good. But, after reading the comments/feedback above, I kinda feel sad. I have worked both in the IT and ITES sectors and feel Chetan has done a pretty decent job for his second book (I haven’t read the first book though) in creating the characters and then taking you thru the entire plot. I think its high time, we start appreciating talent unless “The critics” themselves are extremely good writers. I have a lot of thoughts about the book, but guess this is not the right forum to portray them.
Comment by Krishna Pai — 8/21/2006 @ 12:55 pm
HI!I AM IN CLASS ELEVENTH AND AM MYSELF PREPARING FOR IIT. I LIKED THE BOOK SO MUCH THAT IHAVE READ ALMOST 20 TIMES AND AM CRAZY ABOUT THIS BOOK.THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY LIVELY AND YOU CAN EASILY RELATE TO THEM.
Comment by PARUL — 10/23/2006 @ 9:35 am
it was indeed a really nice book written by Chetan Bhagat….i suggest evreyone 2 read that book…
Comment by pawan — 12/7/2006 @ 8:59 pm
i found ON@TCC very realistic (apart from the god’s part) and inspiring,he has really potrated the characters of shyam,vroom,esha,priya very well.i liked this book very much than the first one
Comment by nisha — 1/15/2007 @ 4:43 pm
5.some1 was really good. The characters were soo realistic and I enjoyed it a lot. But i can say ON@TCC was not upto the expectation i had, aftr reading 5.some1.
Comment by Meera — 1/22/2007 @ 3:07 pm
well i am upto 106 page of this book and I feel nothing exciting as the name of the book is ON@TCC. I could not find anything related to struggle of the Indian youth yet. But see what comes to an end… will post more after the completion of it. Right now its look like bullshit…
Comment by Rutvij — 1/25/2007 @ 3:47 pm
the book was an amazing blend of contempary truth and humour, after reading five point someone chetan bhagat has made a serious effort to give his fans somrthing very fresh and energetic. good book and a must read for all non readers also…u start the book u wont like to stop…uill travel, eat , stand , sit with eat..cheeers to bhagat..wwaiting for his third..
Comment by manalee naik {mass media student} — 2/14/2007 @ 5:12 pm
both the books are so amazing but i am always not satisfied with the climax.. y is it so dramatic? the whole book carries u into a different world but when its ending i feel its all unreal. chetan is a superb writer, if 2 of his books can arouse so many youngters i am sure he ought 2 write many. cant wait for his next book.
Comment by raksha* sw eng — 2/26/2007 @ 4:10 pm
ps: chetan has created 2 more bolloywood heros…hari and shyam…and ofcourse vroom..my favourite
Comment by raksha* sw eng — 2/26/2007 @ 4:15 pm
Till date I havn’t read the book.But after reading these comments I’ll surely take note of it.I guess it will be exciting to go through it.Ok bye.Take Care.
Comment by moonmun ganguly — 4/13/2007 @ 4:04 pm
Hi, I have finised the book yesterday(as it was weekend)I liked story very much, as I worked in BPO nd I have seen how incapale bosses screw ur life. They dont know nything pretend that they every know everything. I worked under similar persom like “Bakshi” in EMR Tech venture, a BPO in Gurgaon he really like a moron….but thank I left the BPO nd now working in “LG electronics” nd realy have a Good Boss.
Anyway way this is very nice story….very close to the life of younger genration…
Comment by Shashikant — 5/14/2007 @ 1:11 pm
pathetic.Crap.Utter shit. whatever little he had conquered with his quick wits got washed away with the GOD episode(godforbid).So Mr. Bhagat you need to get your basics right again, seems 5.som1 was a fluke. Sorry dude I admire IITians alot to be let down by some1 of your calibre as reflected by on@cc.
Comment by Ryan — 6/12/2007 @ 9:31 am
Hi Chetan,ON@CC was an awesome book…which i liked the most..i havent read ur first book..iam in search for tat book…and when is ur third book gonna get realse…
Waiting for tat…
Comment by RV Sona — 8/6/2007 @ 8:17 am
I just now finished ON@CC. I liked it; the book reiterated a message which we often overlook. It’s simple but poignant.
Overall, it’s a good read. Good work Chetan!
Comment by Rupesh — 9/24/2007 @ 5:39 am
weellllll….i wud say tht chetan’s both buks hav rocked…..both the buks were rili nice
its not tht one nite @ call centre is bollywoodish…..if u believe in supernatural powers then this story is worth reading….
Comment by adeline — 10/4/2007 @ 10:30 am
I think the book is worth reading as it gives us an insight about todays youth working in a call centre or in that matter in any corporate office.it helps in building their self esteem.i read it and it has changed some aspects in my life.
Comment by Puns — 10/6/2007 @ 8:58 am
It’s very tough job to write something. You have done very nice work. The call from God seems little bit odd but it provides platform for critics. I can say it may be someone’s prank. Anyways that call saves all six person’s life. And I’m waiting for your another novel.
Comment by Apeksha Rathod — 10/7/2007 @ 10:44 am
Hi.. Chetan has done a wonderful job by writing this book about call centers guys. Well before writing my own comment, I have gone thru this list and was amazed when I read the comments given by Johnson Varughese.(Number 18) I do admit that the things are not favourable when it comes to education system in India. I do admit that “Indians are good followers but not leaders”. But being an Indian, I would like to say that we must not critcize and do something about it. No country is perfect and so is the case with India. When more than half of the population is struggling with the basic needs, what kind of OUT OF BOX THINKING can we expect? Lets fight.
Things are the in a great mess as the lives of the characters in ON@CC and we need to devise some way so that we can bring them back into shape. Its not just our own lives but also the lives of many people.
Book is awesome and wonderfully written.
Comment by Bhawna — 10/14/2007 @ 9:45 pm
well i dunno know whether my review will appear here or not.At best the novel could be described as above average.looks like chetan has written it in a go to cash in the suceess of his first,almos cult novel 5 point someone .In patches it becomes irritating in others it takes yr mind back to his first work considering the resmblance their characters bear. But if u r not expecting gr8 things frm the author, it may be jst ur cup of tea for a lonely night travel in a train withouta girl[god?]siting opposite u. Anyways what i like is his nice sense of humour although again it gets overhumoured at
times
Comment by saqib rashid — 12/14/2007 @ 2:49 am
no words 2 define……a 10/10….perfect……
Comment by priyanka — 1/4/2008 @ 4:36 pm
waiting 4 ur next novel…….the book was outstanding……
Comment by shanayya — 1/4/2008 @ 4:37 pm
nevr judge a book by covr as u will find sumthing at end… thth is fight with prob dont run away
Comment by nihareeka solanki — 1/17/2008 @ 6:36 pm
…..didn’t let me leave it in the middle though i had a french viva and class test too.
And the climax stunned me also………
Comment by Maahi — 2/22/2008 @ 10:18 am
man ur first book was fantaaaaaastic.when i started reading it i felt dat it should never end as it likes it was a part if my joyfull life.i have really fallen for u.i have read in a newespaper dat mr.rajkumar hirani of munabhai fame is making a film on it and i am really looking forward to dat also.
five point someone rrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooooooooooccccccccccckkkkkkkksssssss..
Comment by pari — 3/17/2008 @ 12:41 am
I jus finished reading the book….May be i’m dumb not to understand..but i really couldn’t figure out as to who the girl in the train was…
“That is when it struck me. She was a girl, she knew the full story, but she was not Esha, Priyanka or Radhika. Which meant there was only one alternative left.
“So…that means…Oh my…’ My whole body shook…”
So who is he referring to guys???
Comment by Agent Victor — 3/25/2008 @ 11:35 am