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Jan 27, 2021
John Warner
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Ashok Sharma, The White Tiger, Indian businessman and owner of a fleet of twenty-six new Toyota Qualises offers transportation services for the elite. The books opens with with him writing a letter of his life story to the Chinese Premier. The story details how Balsam Halwai in seven nights ascends from the lower Indian castes as a servant to a become Ashok Sharma using only his wits to become an influential businessman.
Although frequently humorous, the novel is a poignant presentation of India ...more
Although frequently humorous, the novel is a poignant presentation of India ...more
This book is a treat. Balram Halwai tells the story of his life in a letter to the Chinese Premier on the eve of his visit to India. Balram is a poor, lower caste villager who has become a successful entrepreneur in Bangalore. He relates his story with humor and wisdom. The reader absorbs much about India through his tale.
His assertion that if he were starting a country he would get a sewage system before he would get democracy is perfect!
For a more positive, non-fiction look at modern India, I ...more
His assertion that if he were starting a country he would get a sewage system before he would get democracy is perfect!
For a more positive, non-fiction look at modern India, I ...more
Darkly witty. Interesting view of contemporary India. It is hard to write a review of this novel without giving away plot points, so I will just say that it was fascinating to read of a mulled-over would-be crime from the point-of-view of a somewhat sympathetic would-be criminal.
The format of the novel is epistolary -- a form that I especially like -- being written as a series of letters to the Prime Minister of China. Because of this, the prose has a conversational tone that adds to its success ...more
The format of the novel is epistolary -- a form that I especially like -- being written as a series of letters to the Prime Minister of China. Because of this, the prose has a conversational tone that adds to its success ...more
Sep 21, 2017
Ghoti
marked it as to-read
Nov 11, 2018
Ann
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Jan 19, 2021
Kristina
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Feb 06, 2021
Carrie
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Jun 25, 2022
Jennifer AM
marked it as to-read
