Shantaram

By Gregory David Roberts

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Average Rating: (See all reviews) Format: Paperback, 944 pages, First Edition Published In: United States, 01 October 2005 Other Editions: Paperback, USA $28.69 View Quantity Available: 1 24 hour shipping '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. Publisher: Saint Martin's Press Inc. ISBN: 0312330537 EAN: 9780312330538 Dimensions: 21.0 x 141.0 x 4.0 centimeters

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.

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.

I absolutely loved this book. A fantastic story that had me hooked from the very first page. It’s the first book to ever truly make me cry!

A fasinating well written book. difficult not to try to distinguish the fiction for Roberts actual life. This book rightly deserves the interest of a film in the making and a sequel forthcoming.

Loved this book. Roberts has a fantastic talent in revealing the beauties and downfalls of the Indian culture. As well as being the type of book that is impossible to put down, the story within it was extremely inspiring. I borrowed this book from the library so had to read it in two weeks but I am now buying one for my husband as it is one of those books that everyone should read.

This book has been highly recommended and once you get over its massive size, it is easy to read and entertaining. The story and characters are enjoyable and things move at a good pace to prevent boredom. The only down side for me was that certain sections of the book are a little sermon like and some conversations seem quite loosely written. So in my opinion, a good read but not a literary masterpiece.

This is one of those books that really takes a while to get into but once it gets you hooked then its hard to put it down. After travelling to India it was so amazing to read a book that seemed to capture the very essence of Indian culture, at least to what i had experienced in my travels. A very captivating and in-depth bokk that i would thoroughly recommend

This is a great read for a long plane journey...heavy to carry though.
I enjoyed this book especially because it really catches the atmosphere in Bombay. I had to laugh out loud several times with the english used by the Indians because it is so accurate when you have travelled and met Indian people yourself. I admit I thought the last part of the book where they get into warlike fights was not very much my cup of tea but I wanted to know how it ended so I ploughed through that part.