Abhijit Bhaduri’s Blog
I write about careers, skills and the world of work. The cartoons and sketches are mine.
Married But Available in Best Seller Lists
Rashmi Bansal was the first one to write about my first novel Mediocre But Arrogant. The article called A Novel Pastime appeared in the June 2005 issue of BusinessWorld magazine (read the article here) and of course it appeared on Rashmi's blog at the same time. She had profiled this new author called Chetan Bhagat who had stirred up major interest with his first novel called Five Point Someone.
The Asian Age Book Review: Married But Available
Nothing is high-brow and there are no pretentions to the same. But it’s a world well-sketched, well-peopled and one that has its share of action and drama. The narrative, in first person, flows unhindered and natural through the 270 pages of the book. Bhaduri moves in time, narrating most of the story from past. Though written about a generation that would be already past its prime by now, it hardly looks out of touch with the aspirations of the young and the daring.
Marriage that is HR
Married but Available, that’s a book, written by Abhijit Bhaduri, an HR employee with Microsoft. No, the book is not about promiscuity. It deals with HR management. Bhaduri, in fact, has a thing for titles. His first book, of which this is a sequel, was called Mediocre but Arrogant.
Chick Lit and Guy Lit
matter. There is of course a definition in wikipedia to define what this genre is all about. By the way, type in "Guy Lit" in wikipedia and you discover there is no such category. Is that called discrimination or what? More importantly there is a kind of a predetrmined pigeonhole into which we are putting the kind of stuff chicks write or read about. Stuff that guys read or write about. Don't we all do a bit of everything? I know enough men who found the film Sex and the City good to watch. Enough men flip through Femina as women who buy Car and Driver.
Married But Available - Write Your Review Here
I have been receiving a steady stream of mails after some of you have finished reading my novel. While the media reviews will happen, I want to know what you felt about Married But Available. What did you like or not about it. Who were the characters you vibed with. Characters you would have loved to meet in real life or maybe there was an uncanny similarity between a character in the novel and someone you know. Have you met people like Capt Sobti, Rascal Rusty, Abbey...? Are you like any of the characters in the novel?
Married But Available in the News
After the Media Launch of Married But Available at City Select Mall in Saket, New Delhi the next city was Kolkata. My first novel Mediocre But Arrogant was launched on 3rd August 2005 at the Oxfordbookstore, Kolkata. This time it was at the Crossword on Elgin Road, Kolkata. Loved the store for its great layout. Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee, the actor read out excerpts from the book. He read out excerpts that made people really senti. The book should be reaching all the bookstores in India by 10th October 2008.
Married But Available: Chapter 1
Some things have changed. Some things never will – not in this lifetime. I look at my face in the mirror of the guesthouse of my alma mater and try to discover the changes. I’ve just stepped out of the shower and am buttoning the black Polo shirt that has always been my favourite. The faded pair of Levis and black blazer complete the look. I shave and dab on some cologne. Like the scouts will tell you, ‘Be prepared’. Then I comb my hair and, looking at the strands of silver that have appeared of late around my sideburns, wonder idly if any girl would still find me attractive. After all, at age thirty five the girls on the MIJ campus will probably find me too old, unless I meet one of those who find older men sexy because they have grey sideburns.
20 Sep 08 6pm @ CROSSWORD, Select Citywalk, Saket, New Delhi
The book is being launched for the media to give them a sneak peak ahead of the others. It is going to be a small event. So I just thought of inviting all of you to join me on this very very special moment. Besides the media it is important to have some friends to share the special moment. Right?
Interview: The Asian Age 6 Sep 08
Pramita Bose of The Asian Age asked me about my favorite books. That's a tough question. It is a bit like asking which one is your favorite movie or favorite city to live in. The answer to most of these questions changes or gets updated frequently. The latest book that one falls in love with often features in a list like this. Some books remain eternal favorites. They linger on. They haunt me. On a lonely evening those phrases and dilemmas set me thinking. Viktor Frankl's book Man's Search for Meaning is one such awesome book. Spike Milligan certainly remains a benchmark when it comes to writing humor. Here is Pramita's take on the dicussion...
Married But Available - The Cover Story
Don't judge a book by its cover. When a book lies among a hundred others on the shelf, it is the cover that first catches the eye. Thereafter the seduction of the reader is unabashed. through great graphics or visuals, maybe through an interesting title or through a controversial quote or a celeb author's photo or endorsement, the cover tries to get you to cough up the money and take the book home.
Sept Date for Biz Book Sequel
Antara Bose of The Telegraph says, "XLRI alumnus Abhijit Bhaduri is ready with his second book that will hit the stores sometime in September. Abhijit’s first book Mediocre But Arrogant (2005) was a bestseller and he may hit the jackpot again with Married But Available (2008)."
Management Compass: The Interview
Q: What is it about the B-schools that makes it a good backdrop for a story?A: An author must write about things that have a ring of authenticity. I went to a B-School and the story is therefore set in a surrounding that I am familiar with. The dilemmas of B School life make for an interesting combination for B-Schools.
Married But Available - The Synopsis
Married But Available follows the life of the protagonist Abbey through the first ten years of his life as a Human Resources professional. The first ten years are arguably the most action packed years of one's life when most people get raises, get their promotions or change jobs, some get married, have kids, get divorced, fall in love and out of it and confront existential dilemmas. This novel looks at the first ten years of Abbey's professional life after his MBA.
Ask Abhijit
Is this story autobiographical? Is there someone called Rascal Rusty? Did you actually live in the Railway Colony of SP Marg, New Delhi? Why did you choose Jamshedpur as the city in which to base the Business School in? Who does Abbey love - is it Keya, Priya or Ayesha? If you want to ask some more questions, just go ahead and add them to the comment section below and I will answer them. - Abhijit Bhaduri
The Hindu's List of Bestsellers
Sometimes one stumbles across an old review or list while surfing. Here's what I saw from The Hindu newspaper. This is really 27th August 2005. So pretty much just after the launch of Mediocre But Arrogant, it featured in The Hindu newspaper's bestseller list. This is precious.
