The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga
Summary
A poor boy from rural India becomes a wealthy Bangalore businessman. The book opens as the man reflects on how he got where he is - by murdering his former master and stealing his money to start a business.
Ramblings
This book is almost two books in one. It is at once a dark comedy and a glimpse into the stark contrasts that exist in India (light and dark, rich and poor, rural and urban). The book can be read simply as the story of Balram, a boy born without a name and without a birthday, and the circumstances and motivations of his life. It can also be read as an expose of India, its political systems and social realities. Caste systems from the past collide with social mobility of the present. In the old India, you did what you were born to do based on your caste. In the new India, "entreprenuers" (as Balram calls himself) can climb their way out of servitude and into the business class.
Bottom Line
A well written quick read that lingers in the mind.
On the right of your blog--sorry, it is the corrector in me! I can't help myself.
ReplyDeleteI think you meant to comment on the previous post. Thanks for pointing that out, I am apparently all turned around today. :)
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