Pride and Prejudice

Undoubtedly, this novel tops my list of favourites.

Expressed in one word-the novel is simply-beautiful.Everything about this book, from the plot to the style of writing, the expressions, the puns and the satire, is elegant.

Having read the abridged version of the book when I was in seventh standard, I immediately took a liking to it. The reason may be attributed to the fact that I could identify myself in the person of Elizabeth Bennet. The qualities of her character, both negative and positive, are closely related to mine. This, and the plot altogether, created such an interest in the novel, that I immediately read the unabridged version of the book too. And there, the intricate details of all the characters, especially Eliza Bennet's, convinced me that Jane Austen had not studied every small characteristic of different personalities in less detail, before embarking upon writing such a masterpiece.
Since this was my first exposure to classics,an interest in the novel to such a degree, naturally resulted in my reading more classics, especially more Jane Austens'. Undoubtedly, 'Pride and Prejudice' was her best.

A word about the style of writing. I have often heard complaints about the old style of writing.I just have one thing to say- it is by far the best way of writing,of expressing, in beautiful words and tones. The mannerisms of this era, their way of expressing things, is magnificent to the highest degree. Even today, not many writers are capable of bringing out the same feelings in expressing and presenting wit and sarcasm in a manner which makes one appreciate it thoroughly. Unfortunately, not many of the people today appreciate it, that may be due to lack of exposure to the style, or maybe, just ignorance.

The Absence of Words

The moment of realization..
Of truth..
Of the juxtaposition of truth with a single lie;
I dream with my eyes open..
Watching,
Perceiving,
Living..
And dancing with the waves of the wind in the water-like night..
The wind says it all,
And,
The wind says it all..

About-The White Tiger

This book is one of those kinds which expose the reader to some bitter truth, and does that by slapping the reality on the reader’s face. Magnificently written; it not only provides a fresh perspective on the problems which a developing country like India is facing in today’s world, but also shocks the reader by the depth of these problems.

The reader is taken by surprise (at least I was, since I had not read any reviews before reading the book, and thus had absolutely no idea about the storyline) by the mockery which is shown even in the first few paragraphs of the letter Balram wrote on the first night. That gave a general direction towards the issues the book was going to take up. I say issues, because a lot of them have been taken up, by this character Balram which has been drawn up with such precision by the author Adiga. But with such clarity and effect has the protagonist drawn the portrait of reality, that one naturally comes to appreciate the style of writing.

A very important thing which the author exemplifies using metaphors- the various sections of today’s society. The stork, the buffalo, the mongoose, and the lamb. These are the categories of people today. Painfully, one realizes that most of the population today in India belongs to that category of lambs which aspire to become the storks, and in the process, a lot of blood is shed and a lot of bribing is done.

Very painstakingly, the protagonist tries to come out of the viciousness of the rooster coop. And equally painstakingly has Adiga shown what the rooster coop is all about. How the trustworthiness of servants is the basis of the entire Indian economy.

The murder symbolizes the final act of desperateness by one to lead a “normal” life of a rich man. The irony is, when anyone who counts in this world has killed someone or the other on their way up to the top, then why does this man who murdered only one, who wanted a chance only to lead the life of a “normal” man, be called a murderer?

In itself, the “white tiger” symbolizes, in the author’s words, the ones who have woken up while the rest of the people are still sleeping.