Viewer's review: The White Tiger

The White Tiger
Aravind Adiga
ISBN-13: 978-1843547204

Having read a number of excellent books recently on the subject of India and its people, I was initially rather apprehensive about embarking upon another. However, The White Tiger did not for one second disappoint, quite the opposite in fact.

I was immediately captivated by both the unusual presentation of the subject and the easy writing style. The story of Balram, who journeys from servant to entrepreneur during the course of the book, unfolds over a period of seven nights in the form of letters sent by him to the offices of the Chinese Premier. It is a memorable story set in the fast changing environment that is the India of today; an industrious nation on the brink of some very big changes in terms of world economy.

The range of characters highlights brilliantly the contrast between village and modern city life. Poverty and wealth, cruelty and humanity are depicted in a panoramic way yet often described with humour and a real lightness of touch. Adiga’s economic use of language is impressive; he manages to quietly provoke the reader into serious thought on several occasions, for instance:

“They remain slaves because they can’t see what is beautiful in the world.”

I devoured The White Tiger over two days of the Christmas break and would wholeheartedly recommend it as one of the most satisfying, entertaining and important books of 2008. it is filled with a marvellous mixture of cynicism and hope, a most worthy, and unpretentious, Booker Prize Winner.

By Linda Woodhams

Linda recently also read and recommends Mr Pip by Lloyd Jones and Pictures At An Exhibition by Patrick Gale