“12 Years” by Chetan Bhagat is a compelling exploration of love’s resilience against seemingly insurmountable odds. Bhagat masterfully crafts the story of Saket, a 33-year-old stand-up comic restarting his life in Mumbai after a painful divorce, and Payal, a 21-year-old rising star at a prestigious private equity firm. Their romance, marked by a significant age gap and contrasting family backgrounds—Jain and Punjabi, respectively—is challenged at every turn: financial struggles, conservative and manipulative parenting, and societal judgments all threaten their bond. Yet, Bhagat’s storytelling ensures these obstacles never feel contrived; instead, they are deeply authentic, reflecting real dilemmas faced by modern Indian couples.
One of Bhagat’s greatest strengths in this novel lies in the seamless unfolding of the narrative over several years. As the characters mature and circumstances shift, the initial disparities—age, social standing, family expectations—recede, replaced by the universal truths of love and personal growth. His prose is refreshingly straightforward, perfectly suited for a contemporary romance, and he deftly weaves in pressing social issues without ever becoming didactic. Topics like the stigma of divorce, the superficiality of social media portrayals of marriage, and the complexities of intimacy are approached with honesty and sensitivity, making the book highly relatable for readers familiar with the nuances of Indian middle-class life.
Rather than preach, Bhagat keeps the pace brisk and the stakes high, leaving readers anxiously turning pages to discover what choices Saket and Payal will make next. The question of whether their love can survive persists throughout, making the novel utterly absorbing and nearly impossible to put down.
As the subtitle suggests— “12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story”—the narrative is messy but therein lies its beauty. Bhagat’s portrayal of imperfect love is both moving and gripping, reminding us that real-life romance is often chaotic but that’s what the heart wants. Unpretentious, unabashed love. The book is a testament to Bhagat’s gift for storytelling, and a celebration of love in all its complexity.
The book is a clever mix of humor, romance, passionate lovemaking, tender moments, vulnerability, and pain.
If you want to read a book that consumes you in a whirlwind romance and takes you through the throes of love, then this should be on your TBR.
You can grab your copy here: 12 years my messed-up love story
This review is part of theBlogchatter Book Review Program.