February 2012 MEGA Book of the Month.

The compelling, complex and multi-layered novel from Aravind Adiga is his first after The White Tiger which won the Booker in 2008. A suspense-filled story of money and power, luxury and deprivation; a rich tapestry peopled by unforgettable characters, not least of which is Bombay itself.

Synopsis

21st Century Mumbai is a city of new money and soaring real estate, and property kingpin Dharmen Shah has grand plans for its future. His offer to buy and tear down a weathered tower block, making way for luxury apartments, will make each of its residents rich - if all agree to sell. But not everyone wants to leave; many of the residents have lived there for a lifetime, many of them are no longer young. As tensions rise among the once civil neighbours, one by one those who oppose the offer give way to the majority, until only one man stands in Shah's way: Masterji, a retired schoolteacher, once the most respected man in the building. Shah is a dangerous man to refuse, but as the demolition deadline looms, Masterji's neighbours - friends who have become enemies, acquaintances turned co-conspirators - may stop at nothing to score their payday...

Reviews

‘I was absolutely mesmerized by this novel, and think that Avarind Adiga is already with this his second book the most exciting novelist writing in English today' - A N Wilson

'A funny yet deeply melancholic work. A brilliant and remarkably mature second novel. A rare achievement' - the Economist

About the Author

Aravind Adiga was born in Madras in 1974 and was raised in Australia. He studied at Columbia and Oxford Universities. A former correspondent in India for Time magazine, his articles have also appeared in publications like the Financial Times, the Independent, and the Sunday Times. He lives in Mumbai. The White Tiger is his first novel.   Author photo © Mark Pringle More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation