The White TigerA NovelAravind AdigaFree PressNew York London Toronto SydneyA Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

1230 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, NY 10020This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are productsof the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events orlocales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.Copyright © 2008 by Aravind AdigaAll rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in anyform whatsoever. For information address Free Press Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020FREE PRESS and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataAdiga, Aravind.

The white tiger: a novel / Aravind Adiga.p. cm.

1. Chauffeurs—India—Bangalore—Fiction. 2. Poor—India—Bangalore—Fiction. 3. Ambition—Fiction. 4.

Business people—India—Bangalore—Fiction. 5. Bangalore (India)—Fiction.I.

Title.PR9619.4.

A35W47 2008 2007045527823'.92—dc22ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-6273-3ISBN-10: 1-4165-6273-7Visit us on the World Wide Web:http://www.SimonSays.comThe First NightFor the Desk of:His Excellency Wen JiabaoThe Premier's OfficeBeijingCapital of the Freedom-loving Nation of ChinaFrom the Desk of:"The White Tiger"A Thinking ManAnd an EntrepreneurLiving in the world's center of Technology and OutsourcingElectronics City Phase 1 (just off Hosur Main Road)Bangalore, IndiaMr. Premier,Sir.

Neither you nor I speak English, but there are some things that can be said only in English.My ex-employer the late Mr. Ashok's ex-wife, Pinky Madam, taught me one of thesethings; and at 11:32 p.

m. today, which was about ten minutes ago, when the lady on AllIndia Radio announced, "Premier Jiabao is coming to Bangalore next week," I said thatthing at once.In fact, each time when great men like you visit our country I say it. Not that I haveanything against great men. In my way, sir, I consider myself one of your kind. Butwhenever I see our prime minister and his distinguished sidekicks drive to the airport inblack cars and get out and do namastes before you in front of a TV camera and tell youabout how moral and saintly India is, I have to say that thing in English.

Now, you are visiting us this week, Your Excellency, aren't you? All India Radio is usuallyreliable in these matters.That was a joke, sir.Ha!That's why I want to ask you directly if you really are coming to Bangalore. Because if youare, I have something important to tell you. See, the lady on the radio said, "Mr. Jiabao ison.