The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

I run a monthly reading group where I work and at the last meeting we discussed our latest book - The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.

The book was greeted with mixed reviews. Myself and another member loved the book whilst other members found it hard to get into and did not really enjoy the book at all.One thing we did all agree on was Adiga's ability to describe India, the Caste system and the division of rich and poor in such a vivid way that we were able to gain some understanding of the system within which Balram (the White Tiger) lived and worked within. The sewage filled streets in parts of Dehli and the servants who appeared to have their own pecking order, at which Balram was at the bottom for most of the time, to name just a couple of examples.

The book follows the life of 'The White Tiger'. A man who worked his way up from the 'lowly' servant status to that of a self claimed 'social entrepreneur'. The Premier of China is due to visit India and Balram decides to write emails over 7 nights to the Premier describing India in his eyes and, in particular, his own experiences and life to date. He does not paint a pretty picture.

From the offset we know that Balram has committed a crime, that of murder, yet we only find out how this was committed towards the end of his letters. Balram illustrates a palpable hatred towards the system in India which has created such poverty and distinction between the rich and the poor. The masters and servants. He writes in such a way that brings humour to often traumatic circumstances. However, the hatred he holds towards the system and its' masters is often meted out and clear for all too see.

Balram was brought up in 'The Darkness', another word for the villages and outsider, poor areas. He rises to become a driver for a wealthy coal merchant, although is at pains to tell us a driver is not just a driver but also performs whatever duties a servant would need to perform. Eventually, however, it is his deepest wish to go to Delhi and drive for his master that turns into his undoing.

Whilst the book raised mixed reviews from the group, it did have a very bittersweet feel to it. Balram conjures up a myriad of feelings in us ranging from sympathy, anger, humour and hate. As a character it is hard to know whether to hate him, like him, feel sorry for him or even begin to understand him. The things he does and the conclusions he comes to could be as a result of his harsh experiences and one feels sympathy for these, however, not for the actions he takes as a consequence.

Overall, I feel Adiga has written a book that provides us with a wonderfully vivid and stark image of India and its' underbelly. So much so, you can almost smell the open sewers and envisage the servants paan stained teeth!

He has also created a character who is so deep and complex that by the end of the book I am still unsure as to what to make of him!Balram, is indeed an illusive White Tiger both in the telling of his story and in our understanding and grasp of him.