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mooseabs's review
2.0
Even though this was, in my opinion, one of his weaker books, Narayan still shines as a writer.
bhavyahaahha's review
4.0
This was a surprisingly interesting book. I've never read any Narayan before, and now I feel like I should. His writing is quite engaging, and the stories he tells are simple, but interesting. This particular book was from the point of view of a tiger, and I really enjoyed reading about all that the animal had been through.
Often we forget about the soul inside the animals (if we look at it philosophically). This was a reminder that even animals are living, and should be treated in fairness and equal love and respect.
This book had vivid descriptions, imagery, and interesting characters. It was a short book, and I will recommend it. You should read this if you enjoy authors like Ruskin Bond, since I felt that the writing and plot ideas were similar.
Often we forget about the soul inside the animals (if we look at it philosophically). This was a reminder that even animals are living, and should be treated in fairness and equal love and respect.
This book had vivid descriptions, imagery, and interesting characters. It was a short book, and I will recommend it. You should read this if you enjoy authors like Ruskin Bond, since I felt that the writing and plot ideas were similar.
nekreader's review
4.0
I liked this simple tale about life in an Indian village told from a tiger's point of view. I would highly recommend this for tweens and young teens looking to read "adult" books (not YA) that are still age appropriate but modern. For kids who are also animal lovers, it's a great way to step up from kids lit.
samyukta_24's review against another edition
3.0
It was not one of my favorites, but it had its good moments. I especially loved the banter between the "Captain" and his wife, or R.K Narayan's dry observations on the ironies of bureaucracy and red tape.
The story did not hold much interest in me apart from these instances, and a few of Raja the tiger's monologues.
There are a lot of insights in the book - some hidden and some lying right out in the open. It's good for a one-time read, but it does give me the feeling that I might take away something new each time I read it.
The story did not hold much interest in me apart from these instances, and a few of Raja the tiger's monologues.
There are a lot of insights in the book - some hidden and some lying right out in the open. It's good for a one-time read, but it does give me the feeling that I might take away something new each time I read it.
poachedeggs's review
2.0
This is really an 'autobiography' of a tiger, which kind of reminds me of my primary school days (spent writing about the life of a pen and various other types of stationery). I have some affection for Narayan, having done Malgudi Days for my O-levels way back when, and this novel is mildly entertaining, but is in no way comparable to the actual Malgudi Days.
chrisljm's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I loved the initial idea that humans overlook how other beings might also possess ego, values, outlook, and the ability to communicate, and that we tend to see them as sport and amusement. However, it seemed to stray from that by making the tiger humanlike instead, and in Narayan's quest to create a story centered on other creatures, it's ironic that he only went to prove that man indeed sees themselves as all-important. I think it would've been much more meaningful to show how animals, who are unlike humans, are still capable of possessing ego and outlook. As the tiger becomes "spiritually enlightened", his thoughts and actions soon become indistinguishable from a human person's. I think it's a very self-centered idea that if all creatures were to be enlightened they would take on human traits and beliefs. It's especially questionable since the book itself mentions how God created man in His image, but man also makes God in their own image, and if a tiger were to believe in God it would be natural for it to envision a God in his image as well -- a tiger. So why would we envision a tiger's soul to be one liken to a human's? I think enlightenment, at least in this case, is a very human-centered idea, but I don't think it's necessary for other beings to be humanlike in order to be enlightened.
A specific thing I disliked, kind of along the same lines, was the hint of disapproval at the tiger for eating and desiring meat. After the tiger becomes enlightened he displays guilt and shame for his diet, and tries to change it to smaller animals than he usually eats, but later just stops eating all together. This is strange and insinuates a vegetarian diet as superior over eating meat, when this is a very human concept. Humans have the benefit of choice, while many other creatures don't. Tigers are carnivorous and their hunting for food is part of a natural order and it's strange that the tiger should be made ashamed of this. If all other carnivores were to stop hunting, this would create imbalance in the natural world. There was also a particular line in the book where the tiger states he used to kill recklessly and would waste his food. But the idea of waste in nature is bizarre because the food that predators don't finish is how scavengers get their food. It's all a part of a cycle so it's very strange to equate an animal doing what's in its nature to humans' gluttony and consumerism, especially when animals are much more attune to nature than a majority of humans ever will be.
Very disappointed by how self-serving and anthropocentric this novel turned out to be.
A specific thing I disliked, kind of along the same lines, was the hint of disapproval at the tiger for eating and desiring meat. After the tiger becomes enlightened he displays guilt and shame for his diet, and tries to change it to smaller animals than he usually eats, but later just stops eating all together. This is strange and insinuates a vegetarian diet as superior over eating meat, when this is a very human concept. Humans have the benefit of choice, while many other creatures don't. Tigers are carnivorous and their hunting for food is part of a natural order and it's strange that the tiger should be made ashamed of this. If all other carnivores were to stop hunting, this would create imbalance in the natural world. There was also a particular line in the book where the tiger states he used to kill recklessly and would waste his food. But the idea of waste in nature is bizarre because the food that predators don't finish is how scavengers get their food. It's all a part of a cycle so it's very strange to equate an animal doing what's in its nature to humans' gluttony and consumerism, especially when animals are much more attune to nature than a majority of humans ever will be.
Very disappointed by how self-serving and anthropocentric this novel turned out to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Gun violence, Excrement, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault
bookdragoness7's review
5.0
This was beautiful in its profoundness and yet it’s simplistic if there's an RK book I’d reread it’d be this
david611's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A good story, written by the famous Indian writer R. K. Narayan. I wanted to read this book, since I had seen and purchased it nearly ten years ago. The reason being that of a philosophical discourse taking place between a tiger and an ascetic, in the hills; and pretty much also for my love of felines.
The story was nice. The narration alternates between Raja's and a third-person. Most of the story is Raja, the tiger, narrating his past from his experiences in the jungle, the circus, and the film-shooting. It was interesting to read from a tiger's perspective, and that is well done. However, to me slightly disappointing was the philosophical discourse that was supposed to take place between the tiger and his ascetic master. This was too less, and is only a part of the last few pages in the book. Hence my lower rating, although a very strong three stars.
From this story we also come to know about how a ringmaster handles the training of a tiger, and also how animal interactions can take place between species in such moments. I was glad that the animals do not literally speak in English amongst each other or with humans in the course of the book, something that I do not really enjoy due to the nature of that kind of situation - something too unnatural I feel. Most of Raja's and other animal's feelings have been expressed in English though, for the sake of understanding to the reader.
Another reason why I enjoyed the book is due to my love for felines. My love for felines is due to my ability to connect with them and understand their nature, and not as much for their cuteness factor. With that said there has been a time when I used to dream of possibly keeping a tiger as part of the family. But as we all know that is a tough task to handle, as well as pretty much not possible in this era of their dwindling numbers. Reading this book satisfied much of this feeling.
This was only my second (non sci-fi) xenofiction title that I have read so far, the other being [a:Anna Sewell's|2530|Anna Sewell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201029065p2/2530.jpg] [b:Black Beauty|3685|Black Beauty|Anna Sewell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578265482l/3685._SY75_.jpg|4639714].
A good story, written by the famous Indian writer R. K. Narayan. I wanted to read this book, since I had seen and purchased it nearly ten years ago. The reason being that of a philosophical discourse taking place between a tiger and an ascetic, in the hills; and pretty much also for my love of felines.
The story was nice. The narration alternates between Raja's and a third-person. Most of the story is Raja, the tiger, narrating his past from his experiences in the jungle, the circus, and the film-shooting. It was interesting to read from a tiger's perspective, and that is well done. However, to me slightly disappointing was the philosophical discourse that was supposed to take place between the tiger and his ascetic master. This was too less, and is only a part of the last few pages in the book. Hence my lower rating, although a very strong three stars.
From this story we also come to know about how a ringmaster handles the training of a tiger, and also how animal interactions can take place between species in such moments. I was glad that the animals do not literally speak in English amongst each other or with humans in the course of the book, something that I do not really enjoy due to the nature of that kind of situation - something too unnatural I feel. Most of Raja's and other animal's feelings have been expressed in English though, for the sake of understanding to the reader.
Another reason why I enjoyed the book is due to my love for felines. My love for felines is due to my ability to connect with them and understand their nature, and not as much for their cuteness factor. With that said there has been a time when I used to dream of possibly keeping a tiger as part of the family. But as we all know that is a tough task to handle, as well as pretty much not possible in this era of their dwindling numbers. Reading this book satisfied much of this feeling.
This was only my second (non sci-fi) xenofiction title that I have read so far, the other being [a:Anna Sewell's|2530|Anna Sewell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201029065p2/2530.jpg] [b:Black Beauty|3685|Black Beauty|Anna Sewell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578265482l/3685._SY75_.jpg|4639714].