Here are some customer reviews of
Shantaram: A Novel
: This is the finest book I have read in ages. Not only do you (I!) fall in love with the tough-guy author, his wisdom, his guts, his learning and his heart of gold, but the action, romance and the truths the author expounds as a result of his experiences keep you entranced from beginning to end. Even after 900 pages the end came too soon. I had a smile on my face throughout, though sometimes through tears . Anyone who knows Bombay will ache with nostalgia and recognition of the finely drawn characters and anyone who doesn't know Bombay will do by the time they finish this novel. It is a love song to that city, its diversity, its kooky characters and the philosophies and beliefs that keeps them going.
I read it in three very enjoyable days and can't stop urging everyone around me to read it too. Gregory David Roberts is up there with the best!
Absolutely rivetting! Few books I have read match this epic ... the book has all the makings of thriller and a primer on life, rolled smoothly into one. Fascinating journey with an author who has seen more life than some of the best adventurers of our times.
Eminently valued.
 Shantaram is certainly an impressive work; if even 10% of the novel is drawn directly from the author's experiences, Roberts must be counted as an exceptionally gifted everyman. Drug smuggler, counterfeiter, gang member, guerilla, neurosurgeon, and rock star (OK, I made the last two up), Roberts weaves an incredibly compelling tale of life and love set against the tapestry of life amid the slums of Bombay.
I think my one reservation about the book, apart from some repetitiveness in his descriptions, was Roberts' claim that he reached an epiphany. Within the last pages, he stabs several rival gang members and leaves the others to be carved up by a fellow gang member, is up to his neck (still) in the Bombay mafia living well off of the proceeds of his crimes, and is about to travel to Sri Lanka on (yet another) guerilla-style action as part of someone else's crusade. After almost 1000 pages of meditation on the issues of truth, integrity, compassion, and love, this is revelation? Sounds more like business as usual than a man seeking change.
Nevertheless, this is an epic book, with not a wizard, dwarf, or hobbit in sight. I've heard this is the first book of a trilogy; if so, I await the other volumes eagerly.
I've read hundreds of books in my lifetime, but Shantaram has to be one of the best books that I've ever read. If even half of what happened in the book is true - it's simply amazing. Mr. Roberts makes us care about all of the characters, and despite the multitude, most are three dimensional. It's a page-turner. I've never read through 900+ pages so fast and wait for bated breath for the prequel and the sequel. Simply fantastic!
One of the best book I have read so far..He gave the best analyisis of Inidan mind and heart which (may) can't be given by any other Indian writer.The story is Full of courage,philosophy,emotions...and above all truths that human soul searches for..and moreover unbelievabely it is a true story!!Lots of Kudos to Gregory David Roberts-U got lots of GUTS and incredible literary and philosophical intellect!!
Must be an internationl best seller.
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