5.0 out of 5 based on 21 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.

5.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 18/09/2011

Powerful book. Brilliantly written. The immediacy of Roberts descriptions is breath-taking and you feel as though you're right there in amongst it with him. Flawlessly put together, though I too found myself a bit impatient with Roberts' tendency to hang out with shady types, (though that's probably just me projecting my values onto him). Highly recommend reading this masterpiece, especially if you're thinking of travelling to India or have been there and loved it! A+++++++++

2.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 28/12/2009

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.

5.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 10/08/2009

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.

3.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 04/08/2009

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!

5.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 18/05/2009

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.

3.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 17/02/2009

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.

5.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 14/09/2008

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.

5.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 13/07/2008

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.

5.0 out of 5 based on 21 reviews. – Customer review on 13/07/2008

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.