The White Tiger

Did you like the tale of murder from the murder's perspective, but wished Crime and Punishment had been funnier? Are you sick of books that paint fantastic, exotic pictures of India? Look no further! The White Tiger is here to serve your needs.
Told over seven days, in seven chapters, Munna, poor son of a rickshaw driver, tells his entrepreneurial tale of rags to riches that moves him from the countryside to Bangalore. His unapologetic account of his path to success involves stealing, abandoning his family, and murder.
Very darkly funny. Being good, dark humor, what lies beneath the surface is a tale of great tension that reveals the anger of someone destined to servitude.

Appeals: Dark humor, mystery that is slowly revealed, strong narrative voice

If you enjoy the the dark humor of The White Tiger, you might also enjoy A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul. You may also enjoy books that Aravind Adiga lists as his influences: The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, and the works of James Baldwin and Richard Wright.

Adiga, Aravind. The White Tiger. 2008. 276 pages.

Candide: Or Optimism

Candide lives in the best of all possible worlds, or so it seems until he is expelled from his castle for necking with the lovely Cunégonde. Candide is hilarious and naughty romp that urges the reader to consider what happiness really is.

Appeals: Satire, very quick read, funny, irreverent.

If you enjoy satire, you might also enjoy Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift or The History of Rasselas: Prince of Abissinia by Samuel Johnson.

Voltaire. Candide: Or Optimism. 1759. 200 pages.