Aravind Adiga is the author of the novel White Tiger, a Man Booker Prize-winning novel. The book brought him worldwide recognition and positioned him as a major figure in contemporary Indian literature. The novel offers a witty and satirical view of contemporary Indian society and economy.
Aravind Adiga is the Indo-Australian journalist and novelist behind the White Tiger. The book was published in 2008, and it follows the story of Balram Halwai, a young man from a small village who becomes a successful businessman in Bangalore. Adiga became the fourth debut novelist to win the award at that time.
Who is Aravind Adiga?
Aravind Adiga is an author having dual citizenship of India and Australia. Adiga was born on October 23, 1974, in Madras (now Chennai). He lived in Mangalore until his family migrated to Australia.
Adiga is well-educated and has studied at top institutions. He earned a degree in English literature from Columbia University, New York, and Oxford University, England. He used to be a finance journalist. He published articles in renowned publications such as the Financial Times and Time magazine.
This background in journalism shaped his style of writing. He has a style of writing that paints a picture of society. Adiga is the fourth Indian-born writer to win the Man Booker Prize.
What is the Plot Summary of The White Tiger?
The novel is an epistolary, which is a story written in form of letters. The letters come from the main character, Balram Halwai, and are addressed to the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
Balram's narrative takes us from his humble origins in a village he refers to as "The Darkness". He travels to Delhi to become a driver for a landlord. Along the way, Balram sees the disparity between the rich and poor in India.
He eventually commits a crime in order to leave his servitude. He relocates to Bangalore and becomes a successful tech entrepreneur.
The novel is known for its portrayal of the "Rooster Coop". This is a metaphor Adiga uses to refer to the way the poor are caught in their own social ties. The story is fast-moving and uses black comedy to tackle corruption and a lack of opportunities.
The White Tiger: Awards and Adaptation in Pop Culture
The novel was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 2008. In 2021, the book was made into a Netflix movie. It featured Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra, and Rajkummar Rao. The adaptation thus reached a larger online audience.
Other Works of Aravind Adiga
The White Tiger is Adiga's best known novel, but he has written some other books. These usually deal with city life and the lives of common people in India.
1. Between the Assassinations (2008): This book of short stories is set in a fictional South Indian town.
2. The Last Man in Tower (2011): This book is about a real estate war in a Mumbai apartment complex.
3. Selection Day (2016): The novel is about competitive cricket in Mumbai. This book has also been made into a series by Netflix.
4. Amnesty (2020): This book is set in Australia and features an illegal immigrant who becomes witness to a crime.
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