Schlafly Global Book Discussion Group discussion

Only about 65pp in, but already this book is one that inspires me to read passages aloud to whoever of my family is nearby. The cumulative effect of this story after "Beyond the Beautiful Forever" is to overwhelm one with pity for the 98% of Indians who aren't of the fortunate elite. If it weren't so bitingly satirical, I couldn't force myself to continue reading.

Just finished it today. An interesting quote I read, comparing it Crime and Punishment, that compares two societies, "one with the culture and institutions that result in crime being punished both morally and legally, and the other so corrupt that crime can be seen as necessary, as moral, as a path to well-earned wealth." There are a lot of domestic examples of crime-as-success to which we can draw easy parallels.

Adiga did a pretty great job of getting me invested in Belram. I have a few questions, especially about things I may have misunderstood, but in all, I was pretty happy with this book. I look forward to our discussion.

I felt this summed up the book for me:

“You can't expect a man in a dung heap to smell sweet.”

I’ve been both reading and listening so I can finish in time. The narrator of the audiobook is good and helps with pronunciation. And I love the way he says “en-TRAH-pre-neur.” It took me awhile to get into but definitely looking forward to seeing how everything comes together in the end. It’s a particular skill to tell the audience the ending, more or less, while still weaving a complex and interesting tale to get you all the details.

I'm reading (p.202) and listening also, and agree about the narrator.
Travis' quote comparing Indian society's treatment of crime to that in Crime & Punishment is apt, tho' I don't think Balram believes his actions are 'moral', just necessary and well-deserved. I have a cherished quote on just about every pg so far, but this is my current favorite (p.112, describing Delhi rush hr): "The pollution is so bad that the men on the motorbikes... have a handkerchief wrapped around their faces; each time you stop at a red light, you see a row of men with black glasses & masks on their faces, as if the whole city were out on a bank heist that morning".

Since this book won the Booker Prize in 2008, I'm attaching a recent article about the history of the Booker Prize. It's not pretty.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/op...

A powerful indictment indeed. There appear to be no untainted fortunes in the "civilized" world.

Lucy, I feel this way sometimes when I think of the invaluable work Andrew Carnegie did for the American library system, while also representing the very worst of Industrial Age plutocracy, and all of the union smashing, worker exploiting and Pinkerton hiring that came with that.

I am enjoying listening to this book. What a great traveling companion. I can see why Lucy felt she could read this book aloud to anyone who would listen!i wonder if Balram Halwai really realized the incredible life he lived until he wrote the letter to premier Wen Jiabao. In looking up info on the book, I found this great summery that also included information on characters in the book. I hope it is helpful to anyone reading.
https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-whi...

A movie!

How Faithful Is The White Tiger to the Man Booker Prize–Winning Novel? https://slate.com/culture/2021/01/whi...