Wednesday, July 7, 2010

THE WHITE TIGER by ARAVIND ADIGA !!!



         


           OK. You have to suffer again. I am going to review a book again. But what can I do. When I read something, I want to spread my words about it. You suffer. I know but the good readers enjoy the reviews. So, here it is .. An another review.

            Yesterday night, I completed a new book named THE WHITE TIGER by ARAVIND ADIGA. This book is awarded with the BOOKER PRIZE - 2008. It's a big book and not a normal books you see here and there with the romantic lovers. I always heard about this book that it's a book which can make you think about yourself and it may raise questions on your patriotism. So, finally I read it. First, let's talk about the Author. Aravind Adiga was born in Madras in 1974. He had lived in 4 different countries- India, Australia, US and UK. Currently, he lives in Mumbai. The White Tiger is the first novel of Aravind Adiga. Aravind Adiga has a different sense of writing. His writing can make you think about what's true and what's untrue. I am moved by his style of writing. Generally, when you write a book, you follow the footsteps of other authors you liked or you admire. But this man has his own way of writing. I loved this innovative style of his writing.

            THE WHITE TIGER is the tale of a boy named BALRAM who is a HALWAAI by his caste. He is different from the world. Because of his uniqueness and his unique way of lifestyle, one of his teacher named him THE WHITE TIGER. He is born in a small village of India into a darkness. He isn't very rich and he is addicted to the village life. His parents forced him to cease studies and he is made to work in a tea shop. He always wants to run from this place. At last, his dreams come true when a big landlord hires him as a driver for his family. He, now, leaves everything and start working as a driver here for his master. Whatever money he gets, he sends it to his home at his dark village - Laxmangarh. Because of this job, Balram sees Delhi for the first time. He is startled to see a city being a villager. After sometime, he feels that he is tangled into a cage. He is a slave and not a master of his mind. Now, he starts thinking of running from here. He kills his master and escapes from there. He committed this crime. Now, is he caught? Is he hanged till death? For this, go and buy this book.

      
      Coming to my review for this book, I must say that I didn't enjoyed this tale in some parts. I felt that the story was stretched. It could have been completed in 200 to 230 pages but the writer has completed it in 300 pages. Sometimes, you feel that the incidents which are talked about in the book has to do nothing with the story in flow. This is where I think this book didn't impressed me. Otherwise, the way in which Aravind had shown the two faces of India. A rich and a poor. A city and a village. Is very nice. Its very impressive to read the view of a poor boy about both the places. But again, I would say that Aravind should have researched a lot before writing such an important subject. It would have added flavors to the story. One thing, I liked in the book is that as the writer has decided to talk on a subjective topic, he didn't wasted any time in describing the love life of the boy. This is the first book I have read this summer which had no love story and I liked it. Aravind had very beautifully said about the corruptions and frauds going around in India. Rich are eating poor peoples and these peoples can't do anything against them. I will give this book 3 stars out of 5. But I would recommend everyone to read this book atleast once. 

             Thanks..

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

3 comments:

Sakhi Shah said...

Hi Abhilash,

I don't agree with some of the things you say. First of all, I didn't think the writing was stretched, but rather the book went too quickly. :P I also appreciated the fact that there wasn't any unnecessary love stories (or it would've been a typical hindi movie, and what would've been the fun in that?) and contrary to what you think I thought each of those incidents were essential for the development of the character. Also, I definitely don't think that Adiga has done less research. He seems to know the dirty underbelly of the city like his own hand.

I might also have given the book 3/5 (maybe 4) but for entirely different reasons. But well, to each person their own opinion. I don't mean this criticism personally at all, simply as a comment on how our experiences differed, and I hope you'll take it in that sense alone.

Regards,

Sakhi.

Poetry of the Day said...

i need to read this. what language is it in?

Anonymous said...

This not just a novel but a societal based study of India.The Author in a very sarcastic way, hammers and explains castism, bureaucratic system, class struggle, sanitation,poverty, politics , fraternity among the INFLUENTIALS, etc in India. This book may seem ordinary to people from small towns or villages ( as these incidents are part of the their "NORMAL" life ) but may surprise the urban people.

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