The story of The White Tiger focuses on Balram Halwai, a man living in India who is driven by success, but was born into the poor family of a rickshaw puller. Halwai established himself as a businessman in Bangalore after working in a tea shop, and as a driver to a rich family. The story is written as a letter to China's Premier, Wen Jiabao. Balram Halwai refers to himself in his letters as 'a thinking man' and 'an entrepreneur' but signs them as 'The White Tiger'. Although Halwai has many reasons for writing the letter it begins as an explanation of a murder and the description of him in a wanted poster.

Halwai becomes more corrupt as he is exposed to life in India but the reader never fails to relate to his struggle. The most refreshing aspect is the author's ability to transport readers to the streets of India during Halwai's mission to become someone. Halwai takes the Premier through his childhood, describing a graphic scene where his father kills a lizard and later the disturbing flashback of his father's death.

This is the first novel of Aravind Adiga, a business journalist who made a smooth transition to an author. Adiga goes the extra mile in describing details of gorvernment hospitals, education, religion, brothels, servants quarters, and liquor stores on the chaotic streets of India. He introduces the reader to characters that are so saturated in reality, that they could very well exist. Adiga pours through information on the caste system, the meaning of surnames, and how members of the upper class identify or wrongfully identify other caste levels. After reading the first two chapters, it becomes glaringly apparent that Adiga lives and observes in India, the country was his inspiration for this novel.

The story is serious and insightful, touching on a corrupt and power driven world. The writer still manages to sprinkle in enough humor to have the reader laughing at unexpected moments, and cringing during others. Adiga offers a candid look at social castes and contemporary Indian society while writing with a really fresh approach.