 First edition | |
| Author | Chetan Bhagat |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fiction, Romance |
| Publisher | Rupa & Co. |
Publication date | 1 October 2014 |
| Publication place | India |
| Media type | Paperback |
| Pages | 280 |
| ISBN | 978-81-291-3572-8 |
Half Girlfriend is an Indian English coming of age, young adult romance novel by Indian author Chetan Bhagat.[1] The novel, set in rural Bihar, New Delhi, Patna, and New York, is the story of a Bihari boy on a quest of winning over the girl he loves.[2][3] This is Bhagat's sixth novel, which was released on 1 October 2014[4] by Rupa Publications. The novel has also been published in Hindi[5] and Gujarati.[6]
Dedicated to "non English-types", as Chetan Bhagat wrote, the book divulges the sentiments and linguistic struggles of a backward, rural Bhojpuri-laced Hindi-speaking boy from Bihar as he enrolls himself at the prestigious English-medium St. Stephen’s College in New Delhi, and falls in love with a "high class English-speaking rich Delhi girl" schooled at the Modern School in the same city. The girl does not openly claim the relationship but agrees to be his "half girlfriend".[7] Chetan Bhagat commented, "'half-girlfriend', to me, is a unique Indian phenomenon where boys and girls are not clear about their relationship status with each other. A boy may think he is more than friends with the girl, but the girl is still not his girlfriend. Hence, I thought we needed a term like 'half girlfriend'. Because, in India, that is what most men get."[7]
- ^ "Chetan Bhagat agrees in Delhi HC to change setting of 'Half Girlfriend'". DNA/Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. PTI. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Dumraon Royal family send legal notice to Chetan Bhagat
- ^ The five myths of Chetan Bhagat's 'Half Girlfriend'
- ^ Nair, Nithya. "Chetan Bhagat launches new book 'Half Girlfriend' with Ekta Kapoor and Mohit Suri". India WebPortal Private Limited. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ Half Girlfriend (Hindi) Paperback – 1 Mar 2015. ASIN 8129136767.
- ^ Half Girlfriend (Gujarati) Paperback – 9 Mar 2015. ASIN 9351980359.
- ^ a b "Half Girlfriend - Q & A". Chetan Bhagat. Retrieved 13 September 2015.