Monday, December 31, 2012

Last man in Tower

~Aravind Adiga

Having thoroughly enjoyed his block-buster "White Tiger",  I had reasonable expectations for this one.  It is always the case.  So rarely does a second, third book of a debut winner measure up.  I headed into the book with an open mind.  Give it a try, I assured myself.

Well, here is what I have to say.  I cannot, in the recent past that I can recall, ever finished a book in one sitting.  Not even the White Tiger.  That's how good I found this book.  Adiga's writing style is just great.

Now, having said that, I was disappointed by the way the book ended.  I cannot tell you just how disappointed.  It had SUCH potential.  I think the reason the whole planet is not talking about this book is because of the way it ended.  I mean, c'mon, Mr. Adiga, surely you must have had alternate endings in consideration?  I would love to see them, to see what made you choose to end your super strong story in this manner.

I am not going to give any spoiler alerts here, because I sincerely still think the book is worth reading, despite the end.  I just wanted more in the end.  The build up was there.  The plot was certainly there.  The characters had all come to life in my mind.  I was waiting for the encounters.  I was waiting for the suspense to end with a bang. And in the end, there was poof - nothing.  Just a brief and un-fulfilling update to an ending episode that the entire story built up to.  Disappointing, to say the least.

But still, a very good book.  I will give Adiga another try.  But next time would probably be his last chance with me.

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