For the first installment of BwogBooks, a series focused on CU authors, Staff Writer Maren Frey highlights one of her all-time favorite books, The White Tiger.

As promised, the first installment of “BwogBooks” is here! To recap, this new column seeks to highlight and review University alumni’s literature. Today’s feature is The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga (CC ‘97). Adiga was nominated salutatorian during his time at Columbia, graduating with a degree in English Literature. During his time at CC, his passion for writing evolved as he studied under famous professor and historian, Simon Schamma. 

Published in 2008, The White Tiger won the Booker Prize in the same year as its publication, making Adiga the youngest-ever winner at 33 years old. And, while the novel has sold over a million copies and been adapted into a Netflix movie starring Priyanka Chopra, the powerful storytelling that The White Tiger implements is what makes the book so powerful. 

Following the protagonist Balram Hawai’s life that he has written in letter form to a Chinese premier, the main character chronicles his rise from being the son of a poor rickshaw driver in the Gaya district of India to running a successful entrepreneurial enterprise as a taxi company owner in Bangalore. However, Balram’s ascension to success is not all sunshine and rainbows. Told through a lens of drama and dark humor, Balram’s relationship with his boss, Ashok, takes a dark turn when Balram moves to New Delhi with his boss and his family to continue chauffeuring them. Things take a turn for the worse when Ashok’s wife Pinky Madam is involved in a hit-and-run and attempts to blame Balram. In a story of murder, deception, and bribery, Adiga illustrates just how dangerous corruption and societal constraints can be. Though one often wants to hate Balram, you can’t help but root for him in the end because of his sense of humor and dedication to escape the cycle of poverty that has been burdened upon him. 

Adiga describes his novel’s symbolism as “the white tiger will break free out of his cage,” illuminating the freedom and its costs that are evident within The White Tiger. I love this book because of its immersive narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting to read more. So, if you are looking for a dramedy that will transport you right to India, The White Tiger is for you!

Images via Author and PixaHive