Reviews with content warning for Murder - The White Tiger

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

31 reviews

mari1532's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I have a paperback copy of this book, but it has been on my to-be-read pile for far too long so I decided to check out the audiobook from my local library. Somehow I think that the narrator made this book better. There was a lot of nuance, especially in the humour throughout this book and the tonal inflection while the story unfolded I think was so important to the story.

The narrative was beautifully written. Although this book is written from Balram's very specific perspective the novel does provide commentary on, albeit an exaggeration of, the political and caste systems in India. The nuance of Balram as a character was effectively communicated via the direct letter-writing style of the narrative. That being said I did not find Balram likeable, but I did find him to be personable. Adiga's writing made Balram a nuanced character whose motivation and actions were not always clear.

If you like a book with great writing and a well throughout plot I'd recommend this book.

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I really enjoyed White Tiger, particularly for the narrative voice which is strong, irreverent, irrepressible and unapologetic. The narrator is Balram Halwai and this novel unfolds as a series of letters written to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao who is due to visit India to learn why and how it produces so many successful entrepreneurs. Considering himself a successful entrepreneur and wanting to ensure the Chinese premier isn’t misled by government officials, Balram recounts the story of his own rise from promising but poor child to successful businessman by way of stints as a teashop waiter and servant/driver. His story highlights the divisions between rich and poor, the impact of the caste system, corruption, exploitation and abuse of workers, and many other issues in contemporary India. The legacy of colonialism and the impact of global capitalism are clearly evident. It also highlights the necessity of hard work, seizing whatever opportunities can be found, hustling, and - most importantly - looking out for yourself, because no one else will. Balram may believe his road to success is an exemplary one. Given that it involves theft and murder the reader is unlikely to agree. And yet knowing all that Balram was up against, how heavily the odds were stacked against him I found myself having some empathy, if not sympathy, for him. I really wanted him to find a way to reach his dreams and succeed, while deploring the means he took to eventually do so. This novel does not cast India in a favourable light, - the problems it highlights, albeit in a satirical fashion, undeniably exist. So this is an important book, yet it doesn’t feel worthy and dry. And that’s because of the narrator. Amoral and unreliable he may be, but he makes for an enjoyable, compelling and unputdownable reading experience.

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kaitoro_walker13's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Great idea. Some parts felt a little slow, but otherwise this us a great book that deals with major problems facing India. Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly.

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meganeorcx's review against another edition

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dark reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A solid read with many interesting passages. The storytelling format is pretty creative but it didn't always work for me as it jumped from one thing to another too abruptly. Balram's perspective is pretty great to read and there's as much to agree with as to be sceptical about. The societal criticism is the best part of it all but despite being such a political book, sometimes Balram's biggest enemy seemed to be women. There is a lot of misogyny and in a battle between wanting to read another perspective and my own feminism, the latter definitely wins. The White Tiger doesn't have a particularly loveable narrator but nevertheless, I feel glad I finally read this.

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ellen_nicholson's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

An informative and at times satirical commentary on India through an epistolary style message from Balram (an entrepreneur), to the Premier of China. The White Tiger critiques the socio-political climate of India, exploring themes of corruption, duty and the caste/class system through the story of Balram, a poor man who takes a position as a driver/servant for a landlords son. While I feel that we never really connect with Balram as a character, his story works to blur the lines between what is moral or immoral, which left me questioning my initial judgements as he explained his journey. I read this book for school and found the use of symbols really added depth to the book, ie the lizard, chandeliers and the black fort. Even though it was for English, I think it is worth a read.

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kryskross's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

2.0

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claddel's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is dark, well written and pretty intense. I don’t know how real the picture of India is, that it draws but it seems realistic. Worth a read, the author is a talented storyteller.

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