Chetan Bhagat is a popular (that is the word which defines him more than the words like famous, good, great, awesome or the like) Indian writer, who writes in English. I have read all his novels. He is widely read and is a celebrated writer, who writes on romantic topics, with a bit of pseudo-socialism. My main motive of opening this thread is know the opinion of the readers based in India and abroad, as to what do they think of him. Is he a good writer? Is he a very good writer? Or a very very good writer? Or a great writer?

Or, not a writer, at all!!

I've never heard of him, so did a bit of research, read a few excerpts from his novels, realize he apparently appeals to women who enjoy steamy romances, and agree with an Indian reviewer of one of his books:

1. It’s cheap.
2. You can falsely believe that you’re improving your English.
3. It’s cheap.
4. You can add reading in your hobbies. You can even call yourself an avid reader.
5. It’s cheap.

This same reviewer commented that --

A typical Chetan Bhagat novel consists of

• A desperate male protagonist
• A hot and bold girl who eventually sleeps with him
• IIM/IIT fascination.
• A sex scene.

From another Indian reviewer:

I used to believe Bhagat's heart was in the right place despite his obvious lack of skill as a novelist, but after those disgusting tweets and this pile of trash, I have to conclude that he's as petty as his characters, and deserves a proper crucifixion from any sane human being.

Wondergirl,

Most of the people who read novels will agree with you, even as he is extremely 'popular' in India. However, I do not know whether he is a literature writer or a writer for films, as most of his films have been translated into films. Do you read novels? Who are your favoruite novelists/writers (of other genres) from India? And, who are your favourite novelists/writers (of other genres) from other countries, including your own country (even as I don't know which country you belong to)?

Please share.

I'm in the US. I read thrillers, mysteries, humor, fantasy, horror, westerns, but usually not science fiction and romance. My favorite author is whichever one I am reading at the time. I have not read any novels by Indian authors.

Thrillers (Arthur Canon Doyle), mysteris (detective novels), humour (of PG Wodehouse, Stephen Leacock), fantasy (pscyological thrillers) and horror (ghosts stories et al) are a source of great fun and entertainment. However, I prefer Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Keats, Shelley and TS Eliot. I shall suggest you to read Amitav Ghosh, Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie, VS Naipaul, Anita Desai, Shashi Tharoor and Jhumpa Lehiri. They are great writers. Please try these, Wondergirl.