It’s common knowledge that I am as close to my former chemistry professor as George Bush is to humanity. Loathe is too mild a word and I am sure that all MSians must have started abhoring him as well, especially as he features in my reviews more than the likes of Karan Johar, Alok Nath et al.
I am sure everyone would wonder why I keep bringing up the poor fellow, especially now that my Board exams have culminated. A simple reason. After years of receiving praises, compliments, awards, glory and having only one bad habit of not being modest (er ...), it was indeed degrading to be labeled hen hebsolyoot dheezaazthar ... (an absolute disaster)
I remember him showing a particular homework assignment to the rest of our class, which included a rather cute, petite girl who resembled Dia Mirza. While I adjusted my collar and flashed thirty-two pearls, expecting praise for the first time from the teacher, he muttered ’’Theez is class ... sheer class!’’
I gave a smile which I hoped looked humble enough. Then, I turned to smirk at my rival who was rather taken aback as he was used to hearing me being criticised by this particular professor. ’’Sheer class, ’’ he said aloud, again, and this time I flashed a charming (or so I thought) smile to the Dia Mirza lookalike.
’’Sheer class. Third class.’’
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And that is why I just detest the word. Whenever anything is labeled as ’class’, I always confirm which class it means - first, second or third? And that is why I was rather circumspect when a fellow MSian recommended ’The Class’ to me.
I had never hitherto encountered any of Segal’s works. In fact, I had the queer feeling that his books might be the kind which would sound suitable when read with a nasal twinge in one’s voice. Oh, I guess I confused Segal with K L Saigal.
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Erich Segal is renowned for ’Love Story’. Now, although I still haven’t read that particular book, I must say that I love it. After all, had he not written the story, a film like ’Khwahish’ (which conveniently borrowed its story) would never have been made. And then, we would have never seen Mallika Sherawat’s twins.
Then again, ’Love Story’ was the only common factor apart from ’gobi ke paraathes’ which linked Hrithik and Rani (who were incidentally named Raj and Pooja respectively) in ’Mujhse Dosti Karoge’. I digress. I am reminded that I am not supposed to be talking about third-class films like MDK, but instead review a first-class novel like ’The Class’.
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’’The Class’ outlines the lives of five Harvard graduates, right from the beginning of their Harvard experience until their twenty-fifth reunion. Danny Rossi, Ted Lambros, Jason Gilbert, George Keller and Andrew Eliot are the five principal characters of this journey. They have outstanding talents, yet are not perfect. Their unparalleled prowess in varied fields is without doubt, yet it cannot mask their flaws.
In conclusion, they are magnificent human beings, yet, merely human beings.
The five characters are wonderfully developed. Never does one get the feeling that a particular character is overshadowing another and for that, Segal must be applauded. He magnificently describes the joys, glory, trials and tribulations of four of the characters as a narrator. However, Andrew Eliot’s character is purely developed through his diary musings. So in a queer sort of way, although his own experiences are not described in detail, his pennings are written with so much depth that not only do they reveal the kind of personality he has, but also describe his own feelings for the other characters.
Somehow, many situations are predictable in this story. Yet, it is the kind of story where you want a little bit of peace; no twist at the end of each page, please. Yet, when the surprises come, they sting in the same way life takes us by surprise.
Segal’s writing is exemplary. The book does not lose any of its charm throughout the 531 pages. The best part is how in the midst of extremely serious situations, Segal sprinkles a few witty dialogues, which will keep you chuckling throughout.
Opinion has been quite divided when it comes to choosing one’s favourite character. Some empathize with Gilbert’s tryst with tragedy; others are attracted by the simplicity of Lambros. George Keller may appeal to some for his unfazed, and sometimes comic, determination. Eliot is no doubt extremely interesting particularly because of the way his character is presented via the diary writings. Yet, in my opinion, it’s Danny Rossi who makes the book truly memorable.
Shunned by his father, this musical prodigy earns fame, only to be sucked into it. His strange relationship with Maria, whom he truly loves, does not stop him from sowing his wild oats wherever he can. And the way his character shapes out towards the end makes the reader weep with him, yet in a way, be happy for him.
’The Class’ is highly recommended for anyone and everyone, especially someone in his/her teens. You just cannot help identifying with the characters and treasuring them. Each reader will have his own favourite character and that’s the charm of this masterpiece.
To conclude, may I add that this book is not hen hebsolyoot dheezazthar ...
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Whether you found the review first class, second class or third, do leave a comment!