I finished Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger in two nights. Let me begin with some quick observations.
- The prose is very simple and crisp. There is no Rushdiesque long sentences. But it is still quite evocative.
- Adiga describes poverty very accurately, but without sentimentalism or development porn. I was reminded of Satyajit Ray’s movies.
- However, unlike Ray’s rural movies — and very much like his urban movies — Adiga has a strong, albeit subtle, subversive tone. I like subversion.
- I am never going to be able to look at a driver the same way again.
Recommendation: yes.
