The White Tiger
Last month I finished reading the winner of the Man Booker Prize 2008: The White Tiger by the Mumbai-based writer Aravind Adiga. This is Aravind’s debut novel and it is quite a literary feat, I can tell you.
The protagonist of the novel is the very poor Balram, son of a rickshaw puller, who is taken out of school in order to help support his family. He faces a life of darkness and hard labour crushing coals and wiping tables. However, he manages to get a job as a chauffeur in the big city of Delhi and then goes on to seize his chance to start a new life in Bangalore.
The twist in this tiger’s tail is that we know from the very start that Balram is a murderer – a chatty and very entertaining one too – and the whole novel is written as a series of letters to the Chinese Prime Minister, who is planning a visit to Bangalore, and who, Balram decides, must be told the truth about India.
Balram reveals the corruption underneath the democratic face of India, the bribery, and how the servants of the rich in Delhi are left to rot in dirty basements. The genius of this book is that we feel great sympathy for the murderer Balram, who kills his master and flees to Bangalore to become a successful, rich businessman himself.
“In the old days there were one thousand castes and destinies in India,” says Balram. “These days there are two castes: Men with Big Bellies, and Men 
with Small Bellies.”
A white tiger comes along only once in a generation – a rare creature, like Balram. However, a white tiger that is caught in a cage is not a happy one once he realizes that he is caged. And this is what the novel portrays: a country where roles and castes imprison the people who live there.
I warmly recommend this novel: it is shocking and entertaining (often hilarious) in equal parts. And the voice of our narrator (murderer) is cynical, amoral and – dare I say it? – endearing.
This sounds like a fascinating book!
July 30, 2009 at 07:46
This sounds like a fascinating book!
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
July 30, 2009 at 11:31
I agree with Kristina. Sounds fascinating! I´ll have to remember this!
July 30, 2009 at 12:28
Sounds very compelling. I’ll keep it in mind! Hey, your runes poem below is beautiful.
Thanks for your readership, Lady Fi! I’m honored.
July 30, 2009 at 13:13
You have a skill at finding books with a twist. Do you research them online or are they recommendations from friends?
July 30, 2009 at 13:14
Ooohhh that sounds very very good!! I have taken a note of the title and author and will look out for it
C x
July 30, 2009 at 13:18
I always enjoy getting book recommendations – I only wish I could find more time to read them all! My list is growing much faster than I am able to read!
July 30, 2009 at 13:18
It sounds interesting, but the idea that it’s written in letters loses me. I don’t know what it is about that format, but I’ve never been able to dig it. I want so desperately to love Frankenstein and Dracula, but I just don’t.
July 30, 2009 at 14:35
That sounds brilliant!…must make a note.
July 30, 2009 at 15:52
I didn’t read more than a couple of lines here because this book is one of my pile waiting to be read. I always try and get the Booker winner and usually I am pleased I have done so. Glad you enjoyed it.
July 30, 2009 at 20:13
my sister is reading that and says she can’t put it down. I now have a book I WANT to read. yay!
July 30, 2009 at 21:13
Ooh that sound seriously intriguing. I saw it in the bookshop window in Oxford today. Seeing as I am munching up books at the moment I am definitely going to get it.
July 30, 2009 at 21:27
I love books set in other countries. Thanks for the review, I’ll be looking for the book.
July 31, 2009 at 02:41
Wow, very interesting review…I mean, book, I mean book review. Thanks, I’ll look for the book!
July 31, 2009 at 02:58
Yes, I really enjoyed this book and have just picked up his latest but not started reading it yet- “Between the assassinations”
July 31, 2009 at 09:58
From your description, I know I would enjoy this book. I’m off to Amazon to order it now and thanks so much for sharing your review.
July 31, 2009 at 16:19
I have heard such wonderful things about this book! And now you’ve made it sound wonderful. I’m finishing a book that Braja recommended, but it is taking a lot of time because I keep coming back to parts and re-reading… which is fine, but I have books like this that I am DYING to get to…
July 31, 2009 at 16:21
In feeling, this puts me in mind of “Kite Runner” or “A Thousand Splendid Suns.” I haven’t had a good read like that in awhile and this sounds intriguing. Thanks, Lady Fi.
July 31, 2009 at 18:13
Sounds a little dark for me..an endearing murderer..it must be really well written!
July 31, 2009 at 19:44
sounds like a great read!!!
July 31, 2009 at 21:13
It is a great book and you have described it (and endorsed it) beautifully-I enjoyed it too-made me think.
August 1, 2009 at 00:20
The book souinds really interesting and worth-reading! I will think about getting it myself.
August 1, 2009 at 11:59
If i could get off this damn computer and read a BOOK then life would be good.
August 1, 2009 at 19:12
I’m intrigued!!! I love when you feel sympathetic to characters that you know you shouldn’t — it takes a good writer to accomplish that trick.
August 3, 2009 at 00:07
I’ve heard a lot about this book … it’s on my list too.
August 4, 2009 at 00:27
I just finished reading Aravind Adiga’s “The White Tiger”. In the beginning I was not sure whether I’d see it through. But then I got gripped. It is amazing how a middle class, educated (abroad too,) person is able to understand and empathise with someone like Balram. You have to be very sensitive and observant. Some people find the book scary. That is beceuse they see themselves as possible victims. But in fact, we are the perpetrators who create a million Balarams. Sometimes it made me squirm with guilt, and i said, “O my god, that’s me,” or “that’s us”, or so and so. Every well to do Indian should read this book. It might make us more sensitive to the woes of the majority of our people.
God Bless you Aravind. I hope you take to politics some day and help change things in this country.
Asha Gangoli
August 15, 2009 at 11:40