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Shantaram
944 pages, 2005
An escaped convict with a false passport, Lin flees maximum security prison in Australia for the teeming streets of Bombay, where he can disappear. Accompanied by his guide and faithful friend, Prabaker, the two enter the city’s secret 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 massive novel has the world of human experience in its reach and passionate love for India at its heart.
In Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts explores the theme of redemption. Despite his past as a convicted bank robber and heroin addict, he finds a way to turn his life around in the slums of Mumbai. This book shows us that it's never too late to change and make amends.
Roberts doesn't shy away from showing the complexities of human nature. He paints a vivid picture of the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of humanity. It's a reminder that we all have the capacity for both kindness and cruelty.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Shantaram is the friendships that Roberts forms along his journey. Despite the harsh conditions of the Mumbai slums, he finds a sense of community and camaraderie. It's a testament to the power of friendship in the most unlikely places.
Shantaram gives us a raw and unfiltered look into the harsh realities of poverty in India. It's a wake-up call to the struggles that millions of people face every day. This book will make you see the world from a different perspective.
At its core, Shantaram is a story of self-discovery. As he navigates through life in India, Roberts learns more about himself and his place in the world. It's a reminder that sometimes, we need to step out of our comfort zones to truly find ourselves.
Quotes 3
Shantaram is a novel of the first order, a work of extraordinary art, a thing of exceptional beauty. If someone asked me what the book is about, I would have to say, 'Everything, just everything.'
Johnny Depp - Actor, Producer, MusicianShantaram is a book that takes you on an incredible journey, showing the depths of human nature, the power of redemption, and the beauty of life in the most unexpected places.
Hugh Jackman - Actor, Singer, ProducerShantaram is a passionate and inspired piece of writing, a true testament to the power of the human spirit.
Peter Carey - Novelist, Short-story writer
