Mar 21, 2009 08:10 PM
2019 Views
(Updated Mar 21, 2009 08:14 PM)
For the Desk of:
His Excellency Wen Jiabao, The Premier’s Office, Beijing, Capital of the Freedom-Loving Nation of China
From the Desk of:
‘AG’, The Thinking Man, And a writer, Living in the world of technology and outsourcing, New Delhi – Noida – Lucknow, India
Mr Premier Sir
I have just completed reading Booker Prize winner AravindAdiga’s “The White Tiger”. My last Booker adventure “Inheritance of Loss” was anice one and that compelled me to buy this one. I hope you like my words.
Sir, this man Aravind Adiga has done quite well in his firstbook. Yes, this is his first book. What you like about first time writers isthat they have their own style of writing. The format, the tone & the stylein which I am presenting you my review is actually his.
Now Mr. Excellency, I shall talk about the plot of the book.I think it’s copied. It’s copied from those roadside cheap comics where theservant kills his employer and flees away (available on almost all railwayplatforms, famous footpaths bazaars and other markets where the posh doesn’t go). An example from thebook –
“MURDER WEEKLY.....RUPEES 4.50.....EXCLUSIVE TRUE STORY:‘HE WANTED HIS MASTER’s WIFE’'.......LOVE – RAPE – REVENGE !”
This book reveals itself through letters to you (one likethis review) written by Mr. Balram Halrai (an entrepreneur who used to be a drivercum servant of Mr. Ashok). The first part deals with how Munna is brought up.It sketches the inside of Indiawhere the shinning is absent (narrator refers to this place as darkness). Theminute details of his narration are admiring.
“At the doorway to myhouse, you'll see the most important member of my family.....The water buffalo.....She was the fattestthing in our family; this was true in every house in the village.”
“These are the threemain diseases of this country, sir: typhoid, cholera, and election fever. Thislast one is the worst; it makes people talk and talk about things that theyhave no say in.”
As the story moves forward, he finally gets a name ‘Balram’and a job too. His job demanded multiple talents (that of a driver and aservant) at a very basic pay. Then comes the concept of Rooster Coup and thereasons for its existence in India.Balman works honestly but to the climb the ladder he decides to bid adieu hismaster (from this world). This is where the book lacks. The murder sequence hasbollywood masala in it and it drags here. After committing the crime he comesto Bangaloreand becomes a smart businessman. One thing which puzzled me was the title. Why is the title 'The White Tiger'? If we go by the logic of Rooster Coup, it should be 'The White COCK'!
Sir, priced at Rs 395, this is not fare. But sir, in mycountry you have a lot of alternatives. I bought this book at Rs 80 from arespectable prestigious footpath seller at PVR, Saket (New Delhi). I hope you know about PVR, Saket.Incidentally I did my schooling from a ‘gyan’giving building adjacent to it. If no, here are some lines from the book in itshonour.
“Now, PVR Saket is thescene of a big cinema, which shows ten or twelve films at the same time, charges over a hundred and fifty rupees per film – yes, that’s right, a hundredand fifty rupees! That’s not all; you’ve also got plenty of place to drinkbeer, pick up girls, that sort of thing. A small bit of America in India.”
Also, the author has very well explored the servant-employeerelationships from angles of slavery & romantic bonding. He has penetratedinto people like Balram coming from ‘darkness’ and brought out their feelingsin true sense.“A time-honouredservants’ tradition. Slapping the master when he’s asleep. Like jumping onpillows when masters are not around. Or urinating into their pants. Or beatingor kicking their pet dogs. Innocent servant’s pleasures.”
There are two sets ofpeople in India– “The people with large bellies and the ones with no stomachs at all. Eitheryou eat or get eaten up.” Similarly, I would divide the book in two sets – pacy anddraggy. The first half of the book shoots. It’s full of dark humour withoccasional comparisons b/t my country and our country. Sir, if you have a tastefor satire tone and sarcastic humour, you got to read the first half of thebook. His sarcasm is really admiring!
Before leaving I must tell you something. Why people in thewest like Indiain a dark shade. Why movies like ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and books like ‘TheWhite Tiger’ are getting so high appreciations? India has both brightness anddarkness; I believe the latter is getting more attention now. And WE, THEINDIAN PEOPLE are happily thinking atleast we are getting some attention. Istill believe Indiachucks out better pieces of literary work than this tiger. I hope you like my thoughts. In case you need to convey anywords from your side, kindly comment…
