Shantaram is a book of its own kind, one in a class of its own. There are no comparisons. Period.

Like the Daily Telegraph said it and I quote
“A literary masterpiece…it has the grit and pace of a thriller.”

Apart from being the obvious international bestseller, this book to me is a literary work of art. Each paragraph and each sentence is as gripping as the one before and as vivid as a motion picture.

I won’t be exaggerating if I say, in some instances, it’s even life-like.

The author Gregory David Roberts wrote this book in prison. The first two versions were trashed and destroyed by the prison guards, while they worked on him frequently as well.

A testimony to his willpower and a desire to express. Even editing short blog posts like this is a grindingly difficult and cumbersome task every single time.

Imagine rewriting a 933-page long book, again and again thrice, while you see the fruit of your labor, the story of your life, and the current situation you are in being destroyed.

Things that stood out to me while I read Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

  1. Few people in the world can claim, the kind of adventurous and thrilling life which the author has lived.
  2. I am not even sure if even an Indian or a Mumbaikar (Someone from Mumbai) has described the city as vividly, as beautifully, and intriguingly as the author did. Now, whenever I visit Mumbai (Bombay) I see the tales from Shantaram unfolding in front of my eyes, every single time.
  3. From being a bank robber to an ex-convict, someone who escaped from an Australian prison and fled to India, to someone who eventually became a Mumbaikar, true to the city’s spirit, fought the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan, worked in the Bollywood of ’80s, got acquainted with the underworld then, learned to speak Marathi and Hindi, fell in love and finally went on to write this gigantic piece of art of a tale, is as fascinating as it gets and therefore is a story worth knowing and getting inspiration from.

He understands that he has done some wrong in his life and therefore signs off with an apology and a message of peace and love, which you can read here and should read because it’s very meaningful. A quote from it says,

“A sinner who tries to sin no more.”

The author’s approach is very philosophical and profound. The entire book is filled with quotes worth remembering. While he himself went on questioning life and finding its answers through living it rigorously and from the people who were his fellowship in this great tale, he brings out intense and thoughtful questions and answers to ponder upon. A tale of understanding life and grit for survival.

Even though it’s a novel, it isn’t far away from being poetic in its nature. The story unfolds like a symphony and stays with you long after you have finished reading it. The author is a phenomenal writer, the knack of his writing is unbeatable, the way he expresses all multifaceted elements and emotions of life is extremely touching and life-like.

I first read the book back in 2012 and every emotion and detail of it has stayed with me for this long, this book is a feeling you won’t forget once you go through it.

All that needs to be said is written on the book’s back cover, you just cannot praise this book enough, I can keep romanticizing about it endlessly, this is one of those books which I will recommend to a reader of any taste. Even to someone who has never read a book before, they will love it trust me.

‘Extraordinarily vivid…a gigantic, jaw-dropping, grittily authentic saga’
~Daily mail

 

‘Vivid and compassionate…impressive’
~Guardian

 

‘A publishing phenomenon
~Sunday Times

 

What’s so special about Shantaram?

 

This book isn’t just a story. Like Pat Conroy wrote in its praise,
“Shantaram is a novel of the first order. If someone asked me what the book was about, I would have to say everything, Everything in the world.”

You will feel more connected to life than you previously did, you will understand your own human emotions better, and will learn to appreciate this beautiful gift of life.

Finally, who should read this book?

1. Anyone who enjoys a great novel, although this novel is legendary.
2. Anyone who would like to know a tale like no other.
3. Anyone who wants to feel more human.
4. Anyone who wants to appreciate and find little things to love in our everyday life.
5. Anyone who wants to get a more authentic perspective of our every human emotion.
6. Finally everyone and anyone should read this book. You will thank yourself and me later for recommending it.

 

If you are a reader from the US, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the UK then you can purchase this book from Amazon by clicking here.

Readers from India can purchase this book by clicking here.

Others can try clicking on one of the Euro stores and see if you land on your local Amazon store to purchase.

 

Conclusion

Gregory David Roberts has retired from public life and when you go to this website, you will see this message,

 

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

“I leave the public world with a happy heart, knowing that it’s the song not the singer that endures.”

An artist to the bone. In a world where Celebs feed on attention and want to continue making more money, He has signed off to a life of seclusion to work on his personal and spiritual goals.

I believe Shantaram and it’s squeal The Mountain Shadow are a song which will endure for a long time to come. Checkout his signing off message on his website, or at the end of The Mountain Shadow review here.

If you want to discuss anything about this book or the website or me, say hi! To me in the comments section, I will be right there, whenever you are.