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Balram Halwai, the eponymous `white tiger', is a diminutive, overweight ex-teashop worker who now earns his living as a chauffeur. But this is only one side of his protean personality; he deals in confidence scams, over-ambitious business promotions (built on the shakiest of foundations) and enjoys approaching life with a philosophical turn of mind. But is Balram also a murderer? We learn the answer as we devour these 500 odd pages. Born into an impoverished family, Balram is removed from school by his parents in order to earn money in a thankless job: shop employee. He is forced into banal, mind-numbing work. But Balram dreams of escaping -- and a chance arises when a well-heeled village landlord takes him on as a chauffeur for his son (although the duties involve transporting the latter's wife and two Pomeranian dogs). From the rich new perspective offered to him in this more interesting job, Balram discovers New Delhi, and a vision of the city changes his life forever. His learning curve is very steep, and he quickly comes to believe that the way to the top is by the most expedient means. And if that involves committing the odd crime of violence, he persuades himself that this is what successful people must do.

The story of the amoral protagonist at the centre of this fascinating narrative is, of course, what keeps the reader comprehensively gripped, but perhaps the real achievement of the book is in its picture of two Indias: the bleak, soul-destroying poverty of village life and the glittering prizes to be found in the big city. The book cleverly avoids fulfilling any of the expectations a potential reader might have -- except that of instructing and entertaining. The White Tiger will have many readers anxious to see what Adiga will do next. --Barry Forshaw
A readable Booker Prize winner!, 2008-10-29
I saw the author on tv recently say that he wanted to write about the 'real India' and if he has succeeded (I've not visited the county) I'm not surprised the novels's jacket suggests that India's tourist board won't be pleased with the result.

The coutry is aflow with sewage and dirt and only money and ruthless ambition will keep you out of it: very Dickensian. Adiga portrays an India where everyone in authority welcomes a backhander and the only way for a poor person to succeeed is through murder, ar at the very least by allowing themselves to be corrupted (like the fellow villager who finds end up with an important government job).

The narrator is writing to China's premier to tell him about the 'real' India in the run up to his visiting the country. He wants to lift the veil on the country and tell the man how things really are. I found what he described shocking and depressing. His take on Indian culture was illuminating and he seems to conclude that whilst India may soon emerge as a super power few of the country's problems are likely to be addressed for its ordinary citizens. Like China found during the Olympics, India may also have to deal with increased criticism of it's social structure as its international profile increases.

A lot of people refer to the novels humour but I didn't find any of it particularly funny. What I did find was a great read, a readable Booker winner (!),a book that showed me another world and one that made me think. Read it!