God, Machines and Chetan Bhagat

Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

1535

Abstract

se who do not know Chetan bhagat is a best selling Indian author whose books have been translated into multiple regional languages and converted into Bollywood (Indian) movies which were huge box office hits with rave reviews. This book was made into a movie named “Hello” in Hindi for Indian movie buffs.</p><p id="13d6">In this particular book, the Hero, Heroine and two secondary characters are stuck in a vehicle in a life-threatening situation. The hero gets a call from a number titled “God”. This unknown anonymous caller helps the characters face their deepest fears, doubts and also re-ignite the love between the main actors.</p><p id="0c45">And yes, in the end, the anonymous caller does help them save their lives!</p><h1 id="6325">Cheating or Surprise?</h1><p id="76d6">Personally, I felt the addition of the divine character (they never reveal if the caller was truly God or not!) enhanced rather than detracted from the plot. It was an unexpected interjection into the story but served as an excellent surprise element and a critical part of the story.</p><p id="2473">Serious writers might consider it almost “cheating”, but I felt it was an interesting climax, both as a book and in the movie itself.</p><p id="8648">Side note — compared to Chetan Bhagat’s other novels, this one is less than stellar! However, in a “blind” book review, without knowing the author’s name, I would say this book is awesome!</p><h1 id="def5">Unbelievable?</h1><p id="d9f9">Have you read any books where the climax felt unbelievable, or w

Options

here the author resorted to something ridiculous at the last possible moment? Comment below to share your thoughts!</p><h1 id="225d">Links</h1><p id="0739">The link to the original writing challenge is below —</p><div id="eaa9" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/writers-a-challenge-for-the-storytellers-4790c5a16026"> <div> <div> <h2>Writers: A Challenge for the Storytellers</h2> <div><h3>I see you wiping sweat from your brow. It’s YOUR turn, now.</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*_iLexs9QV0iL-gjI)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="af89">Author <a href="undefined">Niru</a> has already worked her alphabetically from A to H, for those who want some inspiration!</p><div id="5bb2" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/experimenting-as-a-writer-de3b853a7667"> <div> <div> <h2>Experimenting as A Writer</h2> <div><h3>Literary devices (A-G so far!)</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*I_48XTdJPPNC_jIo)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

God, Machines and Chetan Bhagat

Exploring Literary Techniques — Deus Ex Machina

This post explores the literary technique “Deus Ex Machina” as part of Holly Jahangiri Writing Challenge and my series #ABCBOOKREVIEWCHALLENGE. (links at the end) I am using Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller “One Night at a Call Center” for this review post.

God Out of A Machine

“Deus Ex Machina” in Latin translates to “God out of a box”. So this is a literary technique where a Divine or improbable character is introduced into the story in order to provide a solution.

Serious writers and critiques generally frown upon this method being used in any story as it creates a perception that the story is stuck or the plot is weak. Hence, the writer is resorting to an impossible twist in the tale to complete the story; pulling ‘a rabbit out of a hat’ as my English teacher would say! Using this method means the author resorted to an inferior method to tie loose ends.

One Night at Call Center

For those who do not know Chetan bhagat is a best selling Indian author whose books have been translated into multiple regional languages and converted into Bollywood (Indian) movies which were huge box office hits with rave reviews. This book was made into a movie named “Hello” in Hindi for Indian movie buffs.

In this particular book, the Hero, Heroine and two secondary characters are stuck in a vehicle in a life-threatening situation. The hero gets a call from a number titled “God”. This unknown anonymous caller helps the characters face their deepest fears, doubts and also re-ignite the love between the main actors.

And yes, in the end, the anonymous caller does help them save their lives!

Cheating or Surprise?

Personally, I felt the addition of the divine character (they never reveal if the caller was truly God or not!) enhanced rather than detracted from the plot. It was an unexpected interjection into the story but served as an excellent surprise element and a critical part of the story.

Serious writers might consider it almost “cheating”, but I felt it was an interesting climax, both as a book and in the movie itself.

Side note — compared to Chetan Bhagat’s other novels, this one is less than stellar! However, in a “blind” book review, without knowing the author’s name, I would say this book is awesome!