The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

I have just finished reading 'The White Tiger' by Aravind Adiga. It is one of the best books that I have read in recent times. It is a Man Booker Prize Winner for 2008.

What struck me the most was the simplicity of the narration. You dont need long, winding and brain squeezing writing style to make a great story.

Secondly, the pace. There is not a single place where it slackened and made you involunterily skip the pages. From the start to the finish, it is a string of interesting events that unfolds the story of Balram Halwai. The difference between the unfortunate villages of India and the stiffled cities could not have been illustrated anymore stark. The book is an anti slogan to the 'India shining!' campaigners! Being an Indian, you do not want to accept what is said about India in the
book, but then your heart knows it is true. There are moments when you want to scream, man! that happens in miniscule, why do you want to make a hill out of a mole! Then you convince yourself that however small it may be, it is still unacceptable!

Now, surprises of a different kind. There are many direct and indirect references to politicians, places, events, religions, and gods!

While you understand, in the book, the term 'darkness' generally refers to the under-developed villages, it is obviously referring to Bihar. The description of the great socialite - the man with puffed face and white spiky hair who has been ruling the darkness for many years, reminds us of Mr. Lallu. In the story this character takes and talks of bribe very casually. There are many references in which Congress party members are shown to be taking bribe. And of course, the 36,000,004 gods in India - 'Mr. Jiabao, How quickly do you think you could kiss 36,000,004 (divine) arses?', there are many not-so-good references about muslims and a north Indian politician calls the Bangalorians as Tamils and Tamilians as negroes!

Of course, all these come out in the story as the opinions of the characters in the story or as indirect references. My surprice is on how come the political class of India has become so tolerant. Dont they go about smashing New Year parties and Valentine celebrations. Dont they go about destroying MF Husein's work because mother god was represented in a certain way. Dont they go about doing anything and everything that gives them political mileage or new identity or things that help them consolidate vote banks. Why no reaction? Probably, no one has read the book so far! Come on! It is a Booker Prize winner and bound to give you international visibility! Surprises! Surprises!

Now, surprises of a third kind! It is a good book, no doubt; deserves recognition and reward - agreed . However, why the Booker Prize? Was it just a coincidence that the other Booker prize winners from Indian authors (Midnight's children by Salmon Rushdie, Gods of small things by Arundati Roy and The inheritance of loss by Kiran Desai) have the darkest corners of India as their plot. One may argue that the Prize was justifiably given to the books that are true and soulful. But the pattern is a bit disturbing. There certainly books of equal quality from the Indian authors with other plots. Why were those books not chosen? What the judges get out of taking these books to the international stage? Those of you who have read the other Booker Prize winners from non-Indian authors can comment!