The Tiger's Wife
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
The Tiger's Wife
Buy Now for $26.99
-
Narrated by:
-
Antonia Whillans
-
Paul Slack
-
By:
-
Téa Obreht
About this listen
WINNER OF THE ORANGE PRIZE FOR FICTION
'Not since Zadie Smith has a young writer arrived with such power and grace' Time
'A marvel of beauty and imagination' Ann Patchett
A tiger escapes from the local zoo, padding through the ruined streets and onwards, to a ridge above the Balkan village of Galina. His nocturnal visits hold the villagers in a terrified thrall - but for one boy, the tiger is a thing of magic.
Natalia is the granddaughter of that boy. Now a doctor, she is visiting orphanages in the war-torn Balkans when she receives word of her beloved grandfather's death, far from their home, in circumstances shrouded in mystery.
Compelled to unravel the truth, Natalia stumbles upon a clue that will lead her to a tattered copy of The Jungle Book, and then to the most extraordinary story her grandfather never told her - the legend of the tiger's wife.
Critic Reviews
Obreht's novel is that rarity: a debut that arrives fully formed, super smart but wearing its learning lightly. Above all The Tiger's Wife bristles with confidence (Adrian Turpin, FINANCIAL TIMES)
The brilliant black comedy and matryoshka-style narrative are among the novel's great joys...Obreht has prodigious talent for storytelling and imagery (Kapka Kassabova, THE GUARDIAN)
Beautifully executed, haunting and lyrical, The Tiger's Wife is an ambitious novel that succeeds on all counts. It's a book you will want to read again and again (THE INDEPENDENT)
Obreht’s use of magical realism is captivating, infusing the story with folklore and myth—like the deathless man and the titular tiger’s wife—that lend an ethereal quality to the characters’ struggles. These elements don’t just enchant; they serve as a lens to explore the region’s cultural and emotional scars, making the fantastical feel integral to the storytelling. The interplay of characters, from Natalia, the young doctor unraveling her grandfather’s past, to the villagers bound by superstition and survival, is deftly handled, their stories intertwining with a dreamlike grace that contrasts sharply with the violence surrounding them.
What stands out most is the novel’s portrayal of humanity amidst hatred and fear. Obreht captures moments of tenderness—such as the grandfather’s quiet fondness for stories and animals—with a warmth that pierces through the pervasive dread of war. This contrast elevates the narrative, highlighting resilience and compassion in a world fractured by endless conflict. The Balkan setting is vividly rendered, its beauty and brutality inseparable, grounding the magical elements in a tangible sense of place.
While the nonlinear structure and layered narratives may occasionally challenge readers, they reward patience, revealing the depth of Obreht’s vision.
The Tiger’s Wife is a haunting, beautifully crafted debut that lingers long after the final page, a testament to the power of stories to find light in the darkest of times.
Rating: 4.5/5 Perfect for readers who love lush, character-driven tales with a touch of the surreal, set against complex historical landscapes.
Review of The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.