The White Tigerby Aravind Adiga
2008 Booker Prize winner
2008, 276 pp.
Hmmm, well, I happened to get this book from the library on the Saturday before the Booker Prize was announced "just in case." When The White Tiger was revealed as the winner, I was really surprised. Not only did it have the longest odds to win, but I had recently read The Secret Scripture and not-so-secretly hoped it would win. In fact, the committee admitted these two were the main contenders and that the decision was not unanimous.
To be honest, I kind of groaned when I heard Adiga's book was the winner. I don't have a love affair at all with the Booker prize winners that I've read, so I was a little skeptical that I would enjoy this one. But, being the trooper that I am, I thought I'd give it at least 40 or so pages to see if it could capture my interest.
Surprise, surprise; it did. Not only is it a scathing indictment against India's treatment of its poorest citizens, it also manages to be a clever black comedy. This is exactly what the prize committee chairman revealed as the reason behind its decision. So which book did I like better, The White Tiger or The Secret Scripture? It's really comparing apples to oranges. They're just not the same type of book at all. They both are worthy social commentaries on the authors' home countries, but just written in a totally different style. While Sebastian Barry's prose is lyrical, Adiga's is biting (and comical). They both work spectacularly, just in different ways. I can definitely see why the committee had a difficult decision on its hands, and either one would have been a winner in my book.
Great review! I'm really looking forward to reading both books now - thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice review I may consider to look for the book in the near future..
ReplyDeleteI, too, obtained a copy of The White Tiger from my local library (thank Heavens for them!) -- and, as luck would have it, they (the library) had it, and the book found its way into my hands two days after the ManBooker Prize judges made their announcement. Within a day or two I had completed reading it -- the 13th Booker Award novel I've read.
ReplyDeleteWe hear so much about the enormous strides India has made, in technology and social progress, but through his anti-hero protagonist, Adiga presents a rather scathing view of contemporary conditions in that country -- corruption is rampant, members of the lower castes still are subject to discrimination, and only through cunning and fortuitous circumstances can a person rise from abject poverty and stay ahead of the game.
I would also add my endorsement of the book. It's the work of a brilliant young author.
MEL