» Shantaram: A Novel

Shantaram: A Novel Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: A Literary Masterpiece
Comment: Best prose I've ever seen from an ex prisoner. Raises the big questions in philosophy in the context of a gripping story layered with literary flourishes. I couldn't put it down and read all 936 pages in less than 2 weeks.

Shaun Attwood

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Life in Mumbai, India
Comment: I was a little hesitant when I first picked up this book because of its thickness, but I'm glad I did. Gregory David Roberts has this amazing way of describing things through words. He made me fall in love with Mumbai, India; which is where this book was set.

This book is about his life in India. Most of it is based on actual events, however some of it was fabricated for entertainment purposes. The story is about his life in India, and his life in the organised crime business.

The most intriguing part of this book for me was the love story that developed between him and a particular woman. Roberts has a lot of quirky remarks about life, love, and relationships that I loved.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The only book
Comment: I have never been so moved to laugh out loud and shed tears by a book. EVER...this is an amazing book. I couldn't put it down until it was done and read.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great story, shame about the writing
Comment: I'm halfway through Shantaram and I am enjoying it - it helps that I'm actually travelling through India while reading it. However, every so often, I have to put it down to digest prose that is so purple, I'm caught between nausea and the giggles.

It's a shame, as the story itself is so compelling and exciting (even though occasionally it seems to be just a series of vignettes); it could have benefited from sparse, stark writing. So an average of three stars from me - for a five star read on India, I'd suggest the White Tiger.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Utterly Beautiful
Comment: The best book I've read in my life. So many books I read and get disinterested, every time the book slowed down a bit it instantly turned a new corner and peaked curiosity into another unexpected situation. The way it was written is magnificent. Very descriptive of all the characters and emotions at any given second. This is how raw human emotion can translate into a book by captivating the reader, making them laugh and make the reader shed tears. The most revealing aspect for me was how quickly I managed to go through 930+ pages. Get the hardcover and throw away the paper flap, it looks classier that way. :)

I can't wait for the film.. I actually think Johnny Depp and Amitah Buchin (sp?) will be fantastic.

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