Married But Available: Book Review

 Book: Married But Available
Author: Abhijit Bhaduri
ISBN: 8172237669
ISBN-13: 9788172237660,978-8172237660
Binding: Paperback
Publishing Date: 2008
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Edition: 01
Number of Pages: 280
Language: English

 

Married But Available is a sequel of Abhijit Bhaduri’s Mediocre But Arrogant. This is the story of Abbey a student of Management Institute of Jamshedpur. After graduating, has newly joined at Balwanpur Industries in Northern India. Being in the HR department, there is no one who doesn’t know him, and that attracts undue attention towards him. And adding to his complications is the fact that he is newly married and his wife, with her looks and riches is the reason of envy amongst his friends and colleagues.

‘Married but Available’ starts from the point where Abhijit Bhaduri’s previous book ‘Mediocre but Arrogant’ ends. The book deals with different states of mind which Abbey deals with. Will his HR wisdom help him to deal with the situation he is into, or will his straight talking crusty boss and the sudden turn in his company’s fortune take him no where? His married life is also at stake with the events and situations turning against him. This is Abbey’s story and how he overcomes his situation and takes care of his personal life and as well as his job.

Abhijit Bhaduri takes good care of the story line he is working on, and draws most of his inspirations from the corporate world. He makes his book interesting by sketching out some interesting characters. The characterization of Abbey and Rascal Rusty is done in a very appealing manner. The situation where Rascal Rusty gives the idea of selling condoms through the medium of telephone is quite enthralling and funny.  

Some parts of the book get a bit boring where the main protagonist self introspects and his life for too long, these parts take away the fun in reading this book. There are a few dialogues which are very uninspiring and boring. The twist in Abbey’s marital life at the end also looks forcefully inserted with a view to create chances for a third sequel.

Overall this book is a fair read, better than its first part Mediocre but Arrogant. The language is better this time and the main protagonist’s character is more stable and calmer in this particular version of the book. The characters are more distinct and understandable than the previous version. The editing part also seems more matured this time. The reality, that in India, an employee is not just judged by his own efforts but also by the activities and surroundings of his family, is very well explained.