“Because every ordinary girl deserves an extraordinary love story”
Everyone has a story to tell. But not everyone is as talented a story-teller like Durjoy Datta. Known for his witty titles, simple yet captivating plots and enthralling stories that any youngster can relate to, Durjoy Datta is a favourite amongst many. His twelfth novel, World’s Best Boyfriend was released in April 2015.
‘Love is a conscious decision to be destroyed.’ World’s Best Boyfriend is a story revolving around Dhruv and Aranya, and how over years they passionately love and hate each other. ‘Love is a four lettered word. So is hate. And sometimes, people can’t tell the difference.’ The two find themselves wanting to hurt each other so deeply, yet they can’t stay away from each other. They want to destroy each other, yet their heart melts when the other is in problem.
In this book, Durjoy narrates a story of a girl suffering from Vitiligo, and how despite all odds she learns to stand up for herself and creates a space for herself in the society. Little Aranya was a loner and disliked by all. She worked hard and excelled in her studies to show her parents that she was on a par with her brother, if not better, and she deserved to be treated well and loved by people closest to her.
She meets a boy named Dhruv who is disturbed because his parents have separated as his mother leaves home with her lover who supposedly is his school principal. He is teased in school and his father turns an alcoholic. This leads Dhruv to be very aggressive and unemotional. Somehow, both the loners fall in love in school.
After getting caught in school, they get separated and they only meet in college to hate each other as much as possible. They take every possible effort to make the other ones life hell. They try their best to ruin each other’s peace. But is the hatred the only thing that they share between each other?
The chain of events that follows next takes us on a journey through their college life and explores a variety of emotions. The book has words woven seamlessly and the way Durjoy unwinds the story keeps you glued until the end. The story can be rather predictable at times, but Durjoy’s informal writing style has the ability to fascinate you and make you empathize with the characters.
‘Easy love is no love. Love’s not love unless you’re laid wasted by it unless you’re destroyed by it, ripped apart and scarred for life by it.’ It is the most messed up love story you will read. But the dialogues, the strength shown by Aranya and how she doesn’t let her guard down even though she is breaking down is what makes it a wonderful read. The concept of first love, teacher-student relationship, parent-child relationship and best friends is so beautifully depicted throughout the novel.
The author is to be applauded for being able to set up a book on a protagonist suffering from a disease not very common and the way he unfurls the story makes the characters come alive. The story can be a treat to feminists alike. The heated dialogues between Aranya, Dhruv and Sanchit and the twisted ending will leave you wanting more.
Overall it can make a wonderful book for light reading.
Durjoy Datta
Rating: 3.5/5
Publisher: Penguin Metro Reads
Language: English
Genre: Romance/Fiction
Month & Year of Publication: April 2015
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