The White Tiger

First time I heard about this novel after it won Man Booker Prize in 2008.Most striking thing is that Arvind Adiga debuted with this novel and got Man Booker all the way

The White Tiger

The White Tiger is the nick name of main protagonist Balram Halwai,he was nick named because he is smartest chap in Laxmangarh(somewhere in Bihar).The title itself portrait the allegorical style used by Adiga.He just simply give readers chance to search the meanings of things.

The narrative is in the form of a letter that the protagonist is writing to the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo on the eve of his visit to India. It plays out on the lines of a confession. Set in modern day India, the book traces the life of Balram Halwai from impoverished Laxmangarh in Gaya to the city lights of Bangalore. Starting off as a driver, Balram turns into a succesful entrepreneur and in the course of that journey he murders and robs his master.

Adiga has used two main leitmotifs – Darkness and the Rooster’s Coop.Darkness is the stark reality – of life in Indian villages, of ignorance and poverty.And the Rooster’s Coop is about the infamous Indian habit of reticence and irresponsiveness to injustice.

A book well made for Booker and a good read.