Shantaram: Now a major Apple TV+ series starring Charlie Hunnam
Jun 2012 · Hachette UK
4.6star
473 reviewsreport
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944
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About this ebook
A novel of high adventure, great storytelling and moral purpose, based on an extraordinary true story of eight years in the Bombay underworld
'A literary masterpiece... at once erudite and intimate, reflective and funny... it has the grit and pace of a thriller' Daily Telegraph
'A publishing phenomenon' Sunday Times
'A gigantic, jaw-dropping, grittily authentic saga' Daily Mail
'In the early 80s, Gregory David Roberts, an armed robber and heroin addict, escaped from an Australian prison to India, where he lived in a Bombay slum. There, he established a free health clinic and also joined the mafia, working as a money launderer, forger and street soldier. He found time to learn Hindi and Marathi, fall in love, and spend time being worked over in an Indian jail. Then, in case anyone thought he was slacking, he acted in Bollywood and fought with the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan... Amazingly, Roberts wrote Shantaram three times after prison guards trashed the first two versions. It's a profound tribute to his willpower... At once a high-kicking, eye-gouging adventure, a love saga and a savage yet tenderly lyrical fugitive vision.' Time Out
'A literary masterpiece... at once erudite and intimate, reflective and funny... it has the grit and pace of a thriller' Daily Telegraph
'A publishing phenomenon' Sunday Times
'A gigantic, jaw-dropping, grittily authentic saga' Daily Mail
'In the early 80s, Gregory David Roberts, an armed robber and heroin addict, escaped from an Australian prison to India, where he lived in a Bombay slum. There, he established a free health clinic and also joined the mafia, working as a money launderer, forger and street soldier. He found time to learn Hindi and Marathi, fall in love, and spend time being worked over in an Indian jail. Then, in case anyone thought he was slacking, he acted in Bollywood and fought with the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan... Amazingly, Roberts wrote Shantaram three times after prison guards trashed the first two versions. It's a profound tribute to his willpower... At once a high-kicking, eye-gouging adventure, a love saga and a savage yet tenderly lyrical fugitive vision.' Time Out
Ratings and reviews
4.6
473 reviews
Donna Green
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April 30, 2020
One of the worst books I've ever read. Starts off well,the description is good but after the first 300 pages it becomes dull, repetitive. At first you're interested, what will happen in the story, eventually you realise the story is dull, and this happened, then this then this, because this book really goes on and on and on. It really goes on about his love for Karla but one is mystified as to why and endless back quotes 'Karla once said.....' his loyalty to a mafia king, why? Also too many characters.
4 people found this review helpful
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November 11, 2022
Loved this book when I first read it. Of course very sceptical as to its authenticity. The main pseudo father-son relationship with the old mafia boss felt very manufactured, not at all deep or justified, just a required literary tool / archetype. Had some memorable scenes. Should make a good movie if they don't water it down
A Google user
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May 11, 2018
Frankly, an over-rated rambling story found in every 2nd backpackers. I realized far too early on that the word "eye" was being over-used, and upon completion note that it is mentioned over a thousand times, so more than once per page on average...
About the author
Gregory David Roberts is an author, songwriter, composer and artist. He is best known for his novel Shantaram (which has sold over 7 million copies and been translated into 44 languages) and its sequel The Mountain Shadow. Gregory David Roberts' books have been sold in over 116 countries and Shantaram has been adapted into an Apple TV+ series. His most recent book is the inspirational The Spiritual Path.
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