Book Review:The White Tiger-By Aravind Adiga

I was, and still am an average reader. Once, when this habit of mine was waning, it was my friend, Sumeet who acted as a patron. Today, if I may call myself a bibliomaniac of some sort, he has a good deal of credit for the same. So, when he recommends me a book about which I had never heard, I would definitely read it. The fact that it won Man Booker Prize last year added to the luster. So over a week, I read this book while travelling to and from my office.

The story of the novel is presented as a series of letters written to Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao by the male protagonist, Balram Halwai, about his life. Balram is a fugitive on the run, who went on to become an Entrepreneur in the blue chip city of Bangalore. This is something that is revealed from the beginning of the story. Balram has a very ordinary rustic beginning from the banks of Ganges. With limited opportunities, he turns out to be smartest kid among the lot. He is given a nick name 'White Tiger' by the official who comes for inspection at his school. But circumstances forces him to discontinue his studies and starts working in a tea shop. Hence forth, starts his real education...from the experiences of life. Later, he works as a chauffeur to a landlord's Son and daughter in law, who take him to Delhi along with them.

The story is a depiction of India, through the eyes of an inopportune man from the village. It shows the contrastingly different lives of the rich and poor in cities and villages. The life of the poor is termed as 'Darkness' and that of the rich as 'Lightness'. It talks about the socio-economic differences among the classes, the Caste system of our country and corruption of legal and political system. The plight of the poor and social injustice inflicted on them is something that is far from our urban life. The story opens in quite an impressive and griping manner and that holds the key and compels you to finish the book, even though occasionally, I found few parts of it a little boring.

There are few marvelously written witty, hilarious and unexampled moments which do make your journey through Balram's life smooth and refreshing. The scene where Balram is particularly annoyed with himself for being concupiscent by seeing his masters wife, Pinky Madam, in skimpy cloths is the one of most hilarious I have read in recent times. I even made my co-travelers read the same and there sure was a burst of laughter. Again, a scene where Balram, the driver assumes the place of a philosopher to his tipsy master and preaches him about life is witty. What makes it particularly wacky is that Balram compares the same situation with that of the Geeta where lord Krishna, the charioteer enlightens his passenger Arjuna.

Having said about the light moments, the novel also highlights and depicts some social issues like castism, racism and communal divide that exist in our country. Through the thoughts of various characters, the author has successfully showcased us how a typical India thinks and behaves with all these prejudices. Also, the nexus between politics and corruption has been revivified.

The scene where the narrator tries to corroborate why Indians are the best servants in the world is subjective and makes sit back and think. 'Rooster Coop' a term coined to prove the same needs to be understood only by reading.

I must admit, after reading this novel all my concept of "India Shining" has been shattered. Also, I must say I was completely under darkness about the life of people in so-called "Darkness". When I read about the pathetic situations and living conditions described about people in "darkness", I felt this story was set somewhere in early sixties. But I later was shocked to know that even today we have landlords who tax people for the use of Road and river.

Having said all this, still I wouldn't rate this novel as the best I have read. I believe if this book can get this much attention then all the other books that I have always admired has not got its share of glory. Highlight of the book is the grip that it holds from the beginning. You are curious to know about how Balram succeeds in life. But also, there are points when Balram is shown as an eccentric person, who talks to himself and also pictures a crime in his mind. Those are points where I felt the story reading became tedium.

I would suggest everyone to read this book when they have some time to kill, like while travelling. It relatively a small book and doesn't require much efforts and pain. Moreover, since you will find most of it captivating, it would give you a good company.

One good advice from my side, THE LAST WORD OF THE BOOK DESCRIBES WHERE AND WHAT BALRAM HAS LANDED INTO SO DON'T TURN TO LAST PAGE UNTILL YOU HAVE REALLY MADE IT TILL THERE J

PS: I understand that I don't have any right to make any comments on such a highly celebrated and talented writer. I'm not a professional critic. All the points mentioned here is just my personal opinion on the book.