One Night @ The Call Center

by Chetan Bhagat | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
Registered by gussy916 of Singapore, Singapore Singapore on 11/26/2005
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
24 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by gussy916 from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Saturday, November 26, 2005
In the winter of 2004, a writer met a young girl on a night train journey. To pass the time she offered to tell him a story. However she had a condition, that he make it into his second book. He hesitated, but asked what the story was about.
The girl said the story was about six people working in a call center, set in one night. She said it was the night they got a phone call.
That phone call was from God.
Welcome to one night@the call center, another witty,dark novel from the award winning author of the national bestseller, Five point someone.

Are you ready to take the Call?

Journal Entry 2 by gussy916 from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Sunday, November 27, 2005
I was really eager to read this book, being an Indian 'young' author and having been part of the 'call center' environment, I was curious to know how he portrayed it.
Well, firstly his book is based on incidents in Gurgaon, thats Delhi....call centers in gurgaon although similar in function to the ones in Mumbai, have very different kinds of people there. Apart from that, I didn't really feel the book gripped me in anyway. It was just an account of a single night at the center, with the usual gripes that most agents face. Regular life and problems discussed (yes, probably for the first time someone thought of writing about it and that was nice) but none of the characters were interesting, most were flat and unidimensional. Didn't care about his portrayal of Americans (as lazy & stupid)I think it takes all kinds of people and it sounded a bit unfair.

The end was not so nice. No realism at all. Didn't quite like the book. A big let down for me as I was eagerly waiting to read it...however I know of people who found it enlightening..so will start a ring for it and see if more people agree with me or not!


ETA: 1 March 2006
After reading all the journal entries for this book, I'm begining to wonder if I read the book during a bad phase or something..everyone seems to like it except me! This means it definately requires a re-read!

Journal Entry 3 by gussy916 from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Tuesday, November 29, 2005
I'm starting a bookring for this.....

Bookring instructions (Thank you Catsalive)
1. SIGN UP for this bookring by sending me a Private Message. Order of participants will be juggled between geography, date of request and shipping limitations. Late additions may be added to the end of the list.
2. When the person before you on the list finishes reading the book, they will send you a Private Message for your postal address. If you no longer wish to read it or want your place in the list moved, let them (and me!) know and I will move you down/off the list.
3. WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE BOOK please make a journal entry so everyone knows it has safely arrived.
4. WHEN YOU FINISH THE BOOK, make another journal entry telling us what you thought - did you like it? Did you think it was well-written?
5. CONTINUE THE BOOKRING by sending a Private Message to the person after you on the bookring list and request their postal address. Please check back here for the latest distribution list. If the person doesn't respond within 7-10 days (use your judgement), please PM the next person, and then me, so I can update the bookring list.
6. END OF THE RING, Back to me, gussy916
The Order so far...
* it could change depending on peoples preferences, but will update everyone through PM's.

drusillamac (UK - Intl)
andthings (UK - Intl
Hollydolly (Canada)
jdp (US)
Dianacoats (US - Intl)
Lpree (US Intl)
Erishkigal (US-Intl)
totoroandmei (Japan - Intl)
vikki (Japan - Intl)
Lyzzybee (UK - Intl)
Matth3w (UK - Intl)
d-o-m (UK - Intl)
Hellie (UK)
Heaven-Ali (UK - Intl)
Panzeranzi (Sweden - Intl)
Thursday5 (US)
Colebear (US)
playinghearts (UK)
Chich (France)
Nuriayasmin (Germany)
Sunlightbub (UK)
Sarahbear (Australia)
Lmn60 (Australia)

Back to me..Gussy916 Ring Complete!


Released 18 yrs ago (12/8/2005 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent off to Drusillamac to start the ring.
I'm curious to know what others think about this Indian author and the way he has portrayed the Indian call center culture (I wont comment on it's authenticity..yet)
Hope you enjoy it!

Journal Entry 5 by Drusillamac from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, December 15, 2005
Caught this in the post yesterday. Thanks for the lovely bookmark gussy916 :-)

Journal Entry 6 by Drusillamac from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, December 29, 2005
Hmm, not too sure what to think of this one. I've worked in three call centres so I was interested to read a book which came from the POV of call centre workers. I suppose they're just the same as most work places but it's different for those working anti-social shifts such as the characters in this book.

I could identify with the boss's irritating use of call centre jargon which I've encountered so many times. The ending was rather cheesy and dramatic though I did enjoy the workers getting one up over the Americans.

Not a bad read but spoiled by a rather fluffy ending. The message of "Living life for the moment" stuck in my throat a little bit.

Off to andthings when I get an address.

Journal Entry 7 by Drusillamac from Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, January 8, 2006
This book is being shipped out to andthings tomorrow. Happy reading!

Journal Entry 8 by andthings on Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Arrived Safley In the post today, Thanks Laura and I hope your exams have gone well.

Journal Entry 9 by andthings on Saturday, January 14, 2006
I have also worked in many a call centre, and worked along side call centres in mumbai. Having recently been made redundant from an uk based US call centre their were parts of this book which struck very close to home. I'm not sure I'd read the authors other title as I agree with Drusillamac about the ending.

Posted to Hollydolly on 17th of Jan by Airmail

Journal Entry 10 by Hollydolly on Monday, January 23, 2006
The Book arrived safely today, thanks andthings.Hopefully will start reading it later today.

Journal Entry 11 by Hollydolly on Saturday, January 28, 2006
Well, finished this little book last night, and I have to say I really liked it. I do not want to say too much about it so as not to spoil it for the next readers, actually, I liked the ending, also the theme of if we think we are about to die, what is really important in our lives if we really think about it. Also, loved the section with the Xerox machine!!!!!.Infact it gave me some really laugh out loud bits. Well, on second thoughts, didn't just "Like" the book, I "Loved" it.
As the Post Office is closed in my small town on Saturday's I will get this off to JDP on Monday.
I will journal as soon as it is in the mail.

Journal Entry 12 by Hollydolly on Monday, January 30, 2006
I had hoped to get this off to JDP today, however, we are having a bad winter storm with freezing rain, so driving right now is not good. If it clears during the day I will go to the mail, if not it will be tomorrow....Sorry for the delay......

Journal Entry 13 by Hollydolly on Monday, January 30, 2006
Whoo Hoo....
The book is on it's way to JDP, enjoy..........

Journal Entry 14 by jdp from Franklin, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Got it! Ack - doesn't it figure - thought I had it timed well but it arrived same day as another bookring which I think arrived early. Now to decide which to read first!

^^^^ Well that above was no problem. Cracked it last night and finished it this a.m. before work. I work in an outbound telemarketing center so I wasn't really looking to this book as a commentary on call center life which I thought it would be which it really wasn't. I think there was much more to the story if you read into it enough and didn't expect the author to tell it all to you (which I am seeing more and more in books I read, like they just didn't go the whole way into the story) but maybe that is because of the trend of what I seem to be reading. A lot I didn't even expect is coming across as philosophical with deeper meaning... and yes, this book kind of did it in a cheesy way but to me it was effective and a good story. I esp liked how the author wove that choice to leave it cheesy into the end.

Serendipity, lessons, humor, comraderie and relationships from a whole different perspective for me which I am guessing could only have come from reading it from the Indian perspective of call centers vs. my US experiences. And I didn't even have a problem with the US 'bashing' or whatever because truly, it shows what motivated such ideas and action on behalf of the characters at least in part along with the goofy boss lol. I thought the book was pretty good. Withholding excellent because I thought with a little more work it could have been a more important work but regardless was a good story that left me thinking.

Thank you for sharing!

PM'ing next in the ring.

Mailed to DianaCoats this a.m. 2-10-06

Journal Entry 15 by DianaCoats from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Thursday, February 23, 2006
Ok...I have now figured out the mystery. I received a RABCK from JDP...the wonderful bookcrosser ahead of me on this bookring...in the journal entry she said she was sending it to someone who was in a ring with her so I knew it was me because JDP had already asked me for my address...but why did I have the RABCK but not this book? Well...I happened to ask my mother who has been here for awhile if she had gotten any other books out of the post..."hmm?" This is always the sign for "I don't want to answer". So...the story is that she "accidentally" opened it and read the back and saw that GOD had called the call center and she HAD to read it and find out what GOD had to say. She also told me that "the language was rather bad" but, ya know, she had to endure because of the God thing. I am NOT making this up. So...turns out this book got here on the 19th. I am putting it up to read next which means I will start it this weekend. Sorry for the delay. Thank you again, JDP.

Journal Entry 16 by DianaCoats from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Monday, February 27, 2006
In general, I have enjoyed all the Indian authors I have read. I am up to 4, Whoo Hoo! Did I think this book was well written??? Not especially, but there was enough inviting and compelling about the way the story was told to keep me reading...and my mother let's not forget! I don't want to give any spoilers here so I'm trying to be careful. I don't share the "lack of realism" theory about the ending. I let books (and films) take me wherever they want and never really step back with the "now could that really happen?" when it comes to my reading. I'm more Fox that Scully unless it is real life. But then, I'm one of those people who don't give a darn about the James Frey controversy. I say brilliant...look at all the millions reading and enjoying.
Lpree sent me her address and this book will travel her direction today.
Thanks for sharing gussy.

Journal Entry 17 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Saturday, March 4, 2006
This arrived in yesterday's mail. I've got some other bookrings ahead of it but will read it as soon as I can. I was fascinated with the description, so I'm really looking forward to reading it!

Journal Entry 18 by Lpree from Omaha, Nebraska USA on Thursday, March 30, 2006
Well, I'm torn on this one. On the one hand, I picked it up yesterday evening and read it almost in one sitting. So obviously, the story drew me in immediately. On the other hand, based on the description on the back, I expected "the Call" to happen much earlier in the book. It seemed to be used more as a way to wrap up the story rather than being the main storyline itself. So it wasn't what I expected. Still, it was an interesting story and certainly made me think a bit. And that's always good in my book. :)

Thanks for sharing this! I'll get it mailed out to the next person soon.

Journal Entry 19 by wingerishkigalwing from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Friday, April 14, 2006
home from work today to find this has arrived--yes! After reading comments of those ahead of me in the ring, I am looking forward to it.....even tho gussy "talked me into" joining. Not that she had to twist my arm--just mentioned that it was in the States and wasn't really as bad as she'd made it sound--lol--

so, anyway, I'm in the middle of a ring book now, and will start this as soon as I've finished that one.

Journal Entry 20 by wingerishkigalwing from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Saturday, April 29, 2006
well, I'm glad this book stopped here. Got to agree with lpree in expecting from the description that the call would be central, rather than a "deus ex machina." But despite being over the top, the ending didn't spoil the book for me--I enjoyed the characters, and the interrelationships between them. And most of all I enjoyed glimpses into life in another culture.

Thanks, Gussy, for making this available! That is the absolute best thing (for me) about BC--having the opportunity to read books I would never have encountered otherwise.!

I've been driving around all week hoping to get this in the mail--to ship internationally, I've got to get to the main PO, which means during the workday, and I just haven't been able to take off yet--but I will get there before before the week is out!

Journal Entry 21 by totoroandmei from Fukuoka / 福岡市, Fukuoka-ken Japan on Sunday, May 14, 2006
Thanks Gussy916 and Erishkigal for sharing and sending. I am in the middle of a book right now but this is next!

May 18: Finally time to post. Really enjoyed the book but the ending was a bit disapointing. For some reason I couldn't put this book down and so glad that I had the chance to read this. Thanks for sharing Gussy916! This is a book I probably never would have picked up but enjoyed so much.

Released 17 yrs ago (5/19/2006 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

The book will be traveling to northern Japan. Happy reading!

Journal Entry 23 by Vikki from Aomori / 青森市, Aomori-ken Japan on Monday, May 22, 2006
Arrived today!!

Journal Entry 24 by Vikki from Aomori / 青森市, Aomori-ken Japan on Monday, May 29, 2006
I quite enjoyed this book. I thought it was an interesting social commentary on how young people in India view their place in the world. The ending was a little weak but it didn't detract from my overal enjoyment.

Journal Entry 25 by gussy916 from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Friday, June 9, 2006
Hi Vikki!

Just received a PM from Lyzzybee. Incase her PM hasn't gotten through to you, Please PM me..I have her personal email id! She definately does not want to be skipped!

Journal Entry 26 by Vikki from Aomori / 青森市, Aomori-ken Japan on Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Book is finally on its way to Lyzzybee. Sorry for the delay; had to go away for work unexpectedly...

Journal Entry 27 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 27, 2006
That's pretty good going with the post from Japan! I am in awe of how far this book has travelled.

I can get to it right away as I have just finished my previous bookring. My partner Matth3w might like to read it too - hope that's OK. We will try not to hold on to it past the obligatory 1 month, and I have d-o-m's address already so there'll be no delay there...

Really looking forward to this as I, too, have worked in a call centre...

Journal Entry 28 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, July 3, 2006
This was excellent. I couldn't stop reading it - I couldn't bear to put it down at lunchtime and I read the second half all in one go!

It reminded me a lot of Douglas Coupland's novels about the computer literate youth of America. Douglas Coupland-like and set in India - a perfect LyzzyBee book! I thought it was well written in the style of the narrator, and I thought the whole plot was handled well. Yes, it was unusual- but it was obviously a fable, and as such worked well.

Loved this so much that I have pressed it on Matth3w, who is about to start it. I'm going to release it to him so the path of the book shows up properly. Oh, and I've been getting my friend Heaven-Ali excited telling her about it too!

Thanks for adding me to this ring - excellent book!

Released 17 yrs ago (7/3/2006 UTC) at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Passing to my other half Matth3w to read (after seeking permission from gussy916) then we will send it on.

Journal Entry 30 by Matth3w from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 5, 2006
Received from LyzzyBee.

Journal Entry 31 by Matth3w from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, July 8, 2006
Whilst I wouldn't wax quite so lyrical over this book as my OH (LyzzyBee) I also couldn't stop reading it - it seemed to flow very well.

I only found I started to get bogged down a bit towards the end of the book - I felt the ending was a little lazy actually and could have been much more deftly handled without resorting to a deux ex machina to bring the book to its conclusion.

Also I think there was a jarring change of pace towards the end and the actually ending did not sit well with the rest of the book.

The final denouement in the epilogue also seemed a tad silly and unnecessary.

So my advice would be enjoy the first 3/4 of the book but be prepare to be disappointed by the final 1/4.

LyzzyBee has d-o-m's address so this will be sent on during the week.

Journal Entry 32 by tagesmann on Tuesday, July 18, 2006
18/07/2006. Arrived in post yesterday...

28/07/2006. Finished yesterday with a final rush.
I though this was a very good book. What a great idea and a refreshing change. I thought the pacing was a bit off in the earlier chapters and agree that the end was rushed. Or perhaps it just seemed that way because I wanted to reach the end. I found that I had a good feeling when I finished the story, a feeling that was somewhat marred by the ending. The story itself ended fine; it was as Matth3w stated the epilogue that was flawed. I would have preferred it to end after the girl's statement that "Just like life. Rational or not, it just gets better with God in it." The rest rather spoilt it for me…

31/07/2006. Posting to Hellie today.

Journal Entry 33 by Hellie from South Shields, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Arrived todsy thanks...seems very intriguing.
Will get to soon...couple ahead of it.

Journal Entry 34 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, September 14, 2006
I have heard good thing about this and I am looking forward to it. I will get to it soon. It arrived today with another ring (and one arrived yesterday too!!) Thanks for the chnce to read this.

Journal Entry 35 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 20, 2006
I have rather mixed feelings about this book. It wasn't quite what I was expecting. I agree with someone else who said that the description on the jacket is a bit misleading. I think that had a lot to do with my perception of the book before I had even started. I really liked the premise - one night in a call center, it is something I have no expierence of.
I found the characters a bit flat - and didn't find I really cared about them untill I almost at the end of the book. The ending was very cheesy!! Ridiculous infact, which spoilt it a bit for me. An entertaining read, but I was a bit disappointed in it.

I have an address for panzeranzi and will be sending out either Friday or Saturday.

Journal Entry 36 by Heaven-Ali at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, September 24, 2006

Released 17 yrs ago (9/23/2006 UTC) at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

sent to Panzeranzi -hope you enjoy it.

Journal Entry 37 by Panzeranzi from Göteborg, Västergötland Sweden on Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Thank you for sending me this book! I'm curious to see what I'll think about it!

Journal Entry 38 by Panzeranzi from Göteborg, Västergötland Sweden on Wednesday, September 27, 2006
I really liked the book! It's not realistic - I have to agree about that, but that's ok. I have worked in a call center with a thousand employees and no way a group of employees would be able to do any of the stuff that is done in this book (but I loved all of it!). The story is funny but has got a message, in my opinion. I like that it's anti-imperialistic and I love the ending. I wish that the cover hadn't told about the call from God, because I kept waiting for it, but all in all I liked the book! Thank you for the opportunity to read it!!

I'll send it to the next person as soon as I've got the address!

Journal Entry 39 by Thursday5 from Columbus, Ohio USA on Thursday, October 5, 2006
The book came in the mail today. Today is my birthday so it was the perfect birthday present! I'm looking forward to reading it. I have to finish a book I am reading for the 5-5-5 Challenge then I will start it right away. Thank you Panzeranzi for sending it so quickly-it got here in a week from Sweeden. I loved the beaded bookmark!

Journal Entry 40 by Thursday5 from Columbus, Ohio USA on Sunday, October 15, 2006
Finished the book today. Although I agree with Gussy916 that the characters were flat and the ending a litle cheesy, I still am glad I read the book. In the definition of a "good book" on my bookshelf, one of the things that I say is: " A good book connects you to ideas, eras, places, or people you never would have been exposed to otherwise." This book connected me to places and people I would never have been exposed to otherwise and I value that.

I don't think the author did the God part perfectly, but I am glad that he made it a part of the book because I have learned that it is important to listen to God, because when you don't life is not as good as it could be.

I have sent a PM to "colebear" who is next in the bookring and will get it in the mail as soon as I get the mailing address.

Journal Entry 41 by Thursday5 from Columbus, Ohio USA on Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Sending to Colebrear. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 42 by colebear from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Monday, November 6, 2006
Isn't there a saying about when it rains, it pours? That's what I'm currently experiencing with books. I've got one ring a little over half completed, but just got 2 more in the mail today plus a RABCK! I'll put this on the pile and hope I finish the current read tonight or tomorrow.

I can't wait to begin this, as I used to work in a call center on the overnight shift. I don't know about Americans being crazy as a national identity, but I won't argue with speaking to my fair share of crazy people at 3am! Thanks for sharing it, gussy916 and Thursday5 for mailing it to me.

Journal Entry 43 by colebear from Jacksonville, Florida USA on Sunday, November 19, 2006
I have to agree with previous posters. I didn't really find this story believable and I didn't care for the ending at all. I kept reading only because I wanted to find out about the call from God, but even that disappointed me. The only positive I'm taking away from the book, was the opportunity to look at a culture quite different from my own.

Thanks for the opportunity to read one night @ the call center, gussy916 and I have playinghearts address so will mail the book across the pond one day this week.

*****
ETA 11/20/06:
Mailed to playinghearts via surface mail on my lunch break today.
*****

Journal Entry 44 by playinghearts from Dudley, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, January 7, 2007
Received from colebear just before christmas and one I'm planning to read shortly.I am really looking forward to this book as I've been hoping to read it for months!

Journal Entry 45 by playinghearts from Dudley, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 10, 2007
I am terribly sorry that this ring has been held up for so long,I forgot I had this book...I will be finished with it shortly and will contact the next person ASAP.Sorry again.

Journal Entry 46 by playinghearts from Dudley, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, July 16, 2007
The idea behind this book was good but I found the writing style often seemed quite stilted and forced which spoiled my enjoyment to an extent.Aspects of the book were interesting and entertaining though,particularly the boss of the call centre.I also found the ending rather predictable and cheesy,but overall an easy read and fairly enjoyable.
Posted to Chich today.

Journal Entry 47 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Monday, July 30, 2007
Image hosting by Photobucket Book received today, thanks for passing it on playinghearts!

I just finished another book last night so I'll get right on to this one:)

Journal Entry 48 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Well, I can't say I enjoyed this book much. I just didn't manage to get into the story and kept waiting to read about the call from God, which came only towards of the book. I thought having worked in a call center would help me relate to the story and the characters but it didn't at all...

Thanks for sharing anyway gussy916!

I've contacted Nuriayasmin and will send him/here the book as soon as I have his/her address:)

Journal Entry 49 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Thursday, August 2, 2007
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Book sent to Nuriayasmin today, enjoy!

Journal Entry 50 by nuriayasmin from Barranco, Lima Peru on Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The book arrived here yesterday. I''ll try to read it as soon as possible but I''ve currently got quite a few rings at home.

Journal Entry 51 by nuriayasmin from Barranco, Lima Peru on Tuesday, October 30, 2007
I found this book very interesting, just the end was a bit too much in my opinion. I borrowed the book to a non-bookcrossing Indian friend as I had no time to read it earlier and according to her it reflects certain sides of Indian society very well. I'm glad I took part in the ring and would like to thank gussy916 for offering it.

I've already asked for Sunlightbub's address and will pass the book on as soon as I've got the address.

Journal Entry 52 by nuriayasmin from Barranco, Lima Peru on Tuesday, October 30, 2007
I found this book very interesting, just the end was a bit too much in my opinion. I borrowed the book to a non-bookcrossing Indian friend as I had no time to read it earlier and according to her it reflects certain sides of Indian society very well. I'm glad I took part in the ring and would like to thank gussy916 for offering it.

I've already asked for Sunlightbub's address and will pass the book on as soon as I've got the address.

Journal Entry 53 by Sunnybubble from Wallasey, Merseyside United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 7, 2007
I've been wanting to read this book for a while. I also worked in call centre's in the past, and was inrigued by the idea of this book. As fate would have it, after no rings for months I have 4 here at the same time, but will be onto this asap.

Journal Entry 54 by Sunnybubble from Wallasey, Merseyside United Kingdom on Monday, December 3, 2007
I seem to be in a reading slump this past month. Every book I've picked up , i've got halfway trough then lost interest. This I'm afraid was no exception. I quite liked the beginning, but didn't feel the story line movd on quickly enough for my current mood. Have om'd sarahbear for her address.

Thanks for sharing xxx

Journal Entry 55 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Thursday, January 3, 2008
Arrived safely and soundly with me in Tasmania, Australia

Journal Entry 56 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Sunday, January 13, 2008
I enjoyed the first part where he met the girl on the train but I quickly lost my interest once the story started. Sorry I guess just not my cup of tea.
Thank you for sharing.
Contacting Lmn60 for her address today.

Journal Entry 57 by sarahbear from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Posting to Lmn60 in the morning. Thank you for sharing.

Journal Entry 58 by winglmn60wing from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Thursday, January 24, 2008
Arrived safely yesterday! Looking forward to this one, though it may take me a week or so to get to it.

More later.....

Journal Entry 59 by winglmn60wing from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Sunday, February 10, 2008
I had 'hopes' for this book, having really enjoyed the works of other contemporary Indian writers. Sadly, this one did not live up to my expectations.

I found Bhagat more than a little concerned with his own 'cleverness' in the writing - IMHO one needs to be an outstanding author to get away with including themself in the novel (eg Vonnegut), and Bhagat tended to come across as self-satisfied rather than an intrigued listener to the tale he is being told.

I also found myself increasingly irritated by the 'soap opera' being played out in the call centre. The characters were too sketchily drawn to engage me emotionally and by the time the 'call from God' came, I wasn't concerned enough about the characters' fates to appreciate the notion of 'divine intervention' impacting on their lives.

There were some amusing passages, but in general, not enough to make up for the tedium of the overall narrative.

I have contacted gussy916, and am just waiting on her address to return this one to her.

Journal Entry 60 by gussy916 from Singapore, Singapore Singapore on Friday, March 7, 2008
My longest and first Ring is back! I was so thrilled to open it up and see the book which was brand new when it left in 2005, has returned well travelled and well read!
Thank you everyone for participating, and Lmn for posting it here to Singapore....Yay! I'm so happy!! ;-)

I didn't like it the first time I read it but I Think I'll give it another shot since it has got mixed reviews.

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.