Knopf, 2012
I don’t believe animals can talk, and any writer who writes a story about one that does, is pulling my leg. I especially don’t like it when dogs talk in fiction. There is a reason they can’t talk. Because they are animals. There is also a reason why humans should be careful of all animals. Because they are animals. You know that story about the scorpion who gives the mouse a ride across the river, right? This isn’t that, but it’s damn close.
The tiger in this story is in love, and he isn’t just smitten, he is head over heels in love with the keeper who feeds him. We see the world through this tiger’s eyes, and get lulled into a false sense of security, even pity, as he tells us about his lousy life. He’s in a cage, and is being strong-armed by another tiger. They seem to be having a lover’s quarrel over a female tiger. These guys don’t just hate each other, they are ready to fight to the death over their shared love interest.
Finally the keeper shows up. Everyone is happy. But the keeper isn’t there to show his love for the tiger, it seems they are going to hurt him, and hurt him they do. The tiger takes this chance to escape out a conveniently opened cage. This opportunity gives the reader the chance to see what a tiger will do with his time in the outside world. He even tried to help the keeper he attacked when he broke out of the zoo. He loved the taste of the keeper’s blood, it was so good.
Parameswaran writes like demon, and I’m thrilled to be the first guy to tell you that.
Funny, I had the exact opposite reaction to this book. Instead of writing like a demon, I thought the author wrote like an undergraduate for a creative writing class. Luckily for the author, you’re the tastemaker, not me.
Oh Emily, it’s a great book, we part ways on this one.
Emily, you’re definitely a tastemaker, too. On that note, Jason, I’m firmly in your camp. This may be the best 2012 book I’ve read so far — and certainly the best book of stories I’ve read in a very long time.