Here are a couple of critics who have not liked Stay Hungry:

T R Vivek writes at vccircle.com : Within five exasperating minutes of reading the book, you wonder what Bansal was trying to achieve. Is this an alumni diary, or an end-of-college scrapbook where you write nostalgic non-sense about all your classmates?

Well, Vivek is entitled to his opinion but I would just like to clarify that there was a single-point objective: to inspire young people to consider the option of entrepreneurship. Also, to answer his question about ‘taxpayer money’ the book was funded by NEN (National Entrepreneurship Network) – they provided the grant to IIMA’s CIIE.

Yes, there is use of Hindi but I am certainly not inspired by Chetan Bhagat. Anyone who has followed my writing career knows this is the way I write – since my first piece was published in The Indian Post in 1988

But like I said, people can have different points of view and I thank TRV for bestowing on me the Bulwer-Lytton prize for worst novel or somesuch. Bhai prize is a prize!

Vivek Kaul of DNA makes the same points, although in a much gentler and measured way. His review is titled Success stories, hurriedly told:

What clearly works for the book is Bansal’s racy writing style. Once you pick it up, chances are you will finish it. The book can easily be called the “One Night at a Call Centre” for business publishing in India. It has lots of interesting tit-bits of information, served in an uncomplicated style.

Having said that, the book has more than its fair share of weaknesses. There is no reason given as to why were only these 25 entrepreneurs chosen…Most profiles read like extended resumes. Bansal has spent too little time researching people.

Ah! The Chetan Bhagat comparison again. It means a book which people read instead of just buying and keeping on their shelves, I think

I do accept Vivek’s criticism that the book did not go very in-depth. There were constraints of time and resources. Besides, my objective was not to produced mini-biographies. As this reader noted in her blogpost:

I have read just one story out of the twenty five yet…but I actually had goose bumps while reading it…. Rashmi writes well..you actually feel you are sitting across the table and are in conversation with the man…

And as a commenter on the same blog noted when someone brought up the VCcircle.com review:

what the critique has to say has also got a point….but I would not like to read something very details a superficial narrative is good for me…it caters to my attention span.

And so it goes. I wish I could please everyone but if I had to choose, I would rather go for pleasing the readers.. Will of course try for the double whammy, next time

This entry was posted Sunday, December 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm and is filed under Blog. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.