'It took me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choices we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured.' So begins this epic, mesmerizing first novel set in the underworld of contemporary Bombay. Shantaram is narrated by Lin, an escaped convict with a false passport who flees maximum security prison in Australia for the teeming streets of a city where he can disappear. Accompanied by his guide and faithful friend, Prabaker, the two enter Bombay's hidden society of beggars and gangsters, prostitutes and holy men, soldiers and actors, and Indians and exiles from other countries, who seek in this remarkable place what they cannot find elsewhere. As a hunted man without a home, family, or identity, Lin searches for love and meaning while running a clinic in one of the city's poorest slums, and serving his apprenticeship in the dark arts of the Bombay mafia. The search leads him to war, prison torture, murder, and a series of enigmatic and bloody betrayals. The keys to unlock the mysteries and intrigues that bind Lin are held by two people. The first is Khader Khan: mafia godfather, criminal-philosopher-saint, and mentor to Lin in the underworld of the Golden City. The second is Karla: elusive, dangerous, and beautiful, whose passions are driven by secrets that torment her and yet give her a terrible power. Burning slums and five-star hotels, romantic love and prison agonies, criminal wars and Bollywood films, spiritual gurus and mujaheddin guerrillas - this huge novel has the world of human experience in its reach, and a passionate love for India at its heart. Based on the life of the author, it is by any measure the debut of an extraordinary voice in literature.
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Reviews
– Customer review on 04/09/2008
This was a fantastic read from beginning to the end. He certainly painted a picture of India, the colours, the smells, the food, the many different cultures, ethnic groups, religions. Amazing. This is the type of book you keep, but you also want to give to friends to read.
I loved it. It had everything adventure, wealth, war, poverty, greed, love, hatred. All sorts of people surving on their wits and cunning. Can't wait to read the sequel, as I'm sure there will be one.
Well written but I found the main character despicable and of such low moral value that it left a sour taste well beyond the interesting perspective of india.
This is 1 of the best books that I have read. Just when you think he couldn't pack more in he does. Try reading 1 chapter per night. Some of them are long.
Shantaram is a great read but really this is three novels in one and looses much from trying to cover too much ground. I loved the secton set in the slums. Here the characters really come to life and we see how order is formed from chaos as the characters form their own civilsation and laws within their own world of the downtrodden.
It would be interesting to see how much of the final section is autobiographical given that the author has lead a pretty wild life!
Best book I've ever read, beautifully written and difficult to put down.I wanted this book to go on and on..I needed to know more. Do hope he has a sequel.
Shantaram is an interesting read, I found that there was so much going on that it was a bit all over the place. The writing is fabulous though and you really feel like you are there. At times I found it hard going and wondered if I would even finish it. Topical due do the writers own history, hard to know how biographical it really is.
Brilliant read. Beautiful, loving, honest, perceptive, unpretentious. The first book that's managed to make me laugh out loud and cry. Anyone who doesn't see the beautiful simplicity of this tale has to have their head implanted in their nether regions.
Fantastic book as it is a true story as well. Love the description of India the good and the bad makes you feel like you are there and makes you want to go. When Gregory Roberts describes a scene ie the slums or the city you can almost smell the smells he describes and see the vivid colours and even taste the food. I won't mention the rats. Awesome book thoroughly recommend.
Fantastic book as it is a true story as well. Love the description of India the good and the bad makes you feel like you are there and makes you want to go. When Gregory Roberts describes a scene ie the slums or the city you can almost smell the smells he describes and see the vivid colours and even taste the food. I won't mention the rats. Awesome book thouroughly recommend.
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