Last Man In Tower

Aravind Adiga wrote Last Man in Tower and his story brought out my character distortion of denial. I really didn’t think the story was going to end up the way it did. The author gave me plenty of clues but I was totally astounded at what happened to Masterji. Masterji (pronounced Master Gee)  is the main character of this story that takes place in an apartment complex in Mumbai, India. He is a retired science teacher who lost his wife a year ago and is estranged from his son. A real estate developer wants to tear down the apartment complex he and others live in and put up a new one. The developer offers all the tenants $330,000 to give up their homes. Prior to the development offer, all the tenants in the building got along and existed peacefully.  Many were friends.  All the tenants agree to take the money and give up their homes except Masterji. Business dealings in India, like anywhere, can be vicious and desperate. The author was a financial journalist for Time magazine in India and he knows a thing or two about business. He also knows how to tell a story that paints a vivid picture of the people living in Masterji’s apartment complex. Great read.