The White Tiger

by Aravind Adiga | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 1843547228 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Sobergirl of Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on 5/17/2010
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2 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Sobergirl from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Monday, May 17, 2010
Bought at the Skopelos Animal Charity Kiosk!

Amazon.co.uk Review
Winning the Man Booker prize is something that most authors dream of, although -- ironically -- the reputation of the prize itself was under siege a few years ago. Books that won the award were acquiring a reputation of being difficult and inaccessible, but those days appear to be over -- and unarguable proof may be found in the 2008 winner, The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga. Apart from its considerable literary merit, the novel is the most compelling of pageturners (in the old-fashioned sense of that phrase) and offers a picture of modern India that is as evocative as it is unflattering. The protagonist, too, is drawn in the most masterly of fashion.

Balram Halwai, the eponymous ‘white tiger’, is a diminutive, overweight ex-teashop worker who now earns his living as a chauffeur. But this is only one side of his protean personality; he deals in confidence scams, over-ambitious business promotions (built on the shakiest of foundations) and enjoys approaching life with a philosophical turn of mind. But is Balram also a murderer? We learn the answer as we devour these 500 odd pages. Born into an impoverished family, Balram is removed from school by his parents in order to earn money in a thankless job: shop employee. He is forced into banal, mind-numbing work. But Balram dreams of escaping -- and a chance arises when a well-heeled village landlord takes him on as a chauffeur for his son (although the duties involve transporting the latter's wife and two Pomeranian dogs). From the rich new perspective offered to him in this more interesting job, Balram discovers New Delhi, and a vision of the city changes his life forever. His learning curve is very steep, and he quickly comes to believe that the way to the top is by the most expedient means. And if that involves committing the odd crime of violence, he persuades himself that this is what successful people must do.

The story of the amoral protagonist at the centre of this fascinating narrative is, of course, what keeps the reader comprehensively gripped, but perhaps the real achievement of the book is in its picture of two Indias: the bleak, soul-destroying poverty of village life and the glittering prizes to be found in the big city. The book cleverly avoids fulfilling any of the expectations a potential reader might have -- except that of instructing and entertaining. The White Tiger will have many readers anxious to see what Adiga will do next. --Barry Forshaw


Journal Entry 2 by Sobergirl from Turku, Varsinais-Suomi / Egentliga Finland Finland on Thursday, May 20, 2010
This was a very very very good and entertaining read! I've read a lot of books about India and this is definitely in the Top 3!

Journal Entry 3 by Sobergirl at -- Somewhere in town in Athens - Αθήνα, Attica Greece on Thursday, May 20, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (5/20/2010 UTC) at -- Somewhere in town in Athens - Αθήνα, Attica Greece

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Athens Cypria Hotel TV lobby

Journal Entry 4 by wingAnonymousFinderwing at Athens - Αθήνα, Attica Greece on Tuesday, June 22, 2010
I haven't gotten to finish the book yet. Just thought I'd let you know that I picked it up at my hotel in Athens on June 8th. Brought it back to the U.S. (It's in Illinois at the moment.) It'll be released back into the wild once I figure out where to go to next.

There are several blank pages in the back. I might scribble in a location just for shits n' giggles.

Journal Entry 5 by wingAnonymousFinderwing at New York City, New York USA on Thursday, September 22, 2011
...fyi: sorry for taking so long. I dropped it off at JFK airport in NYC on September 11, 2011. Hopefully, it'll end up in good hands.

Journal Entry 6 by wingAnonymousFinderwing at New York City, New York USA on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I picked this up at JFK airport on the first time to NYC - Sept. 11, 1011. I took it back home to Toronto and have now read the book and recommend it highly. It will soon be travelling to Australia with a colleague who will leave it there for it's next adventure!!

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