Indian-Australian dual citizen Aravind Adiga has won the 2008 Booker Prize, one of the world's most prestigious literary awards, for his debut novel The White Tiger. The 33-year-old was awarded the $125,000 prize at a ceremony in London for his tale of a man's journey from Indian village life to entrepreneurial success. Chairman of the judges Michael Portillo said the book's originality in showing “the dark side of India” had set it apart from the others. “My criteria were 'does it knock my socks off?', and this one did,” he said. The White Tiger follows Balram Halwai, the son of a rickshaw puller who dreams of better things than life as teashop worker and driver. But when he finally makes it to the bright lights of New Delhi, he is caught between his loyalty to his family and his desire to better himself. Portillo said Adiga's book was chosen because it “shocked and entertained in equal measure”. Now in its 40th year, the Booker Prize has become one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world. Read more in The Australian http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24499839-5001986,00.html
And go the www.themanbookerprize.com for free audio extracts of 2008 titles.
