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Daaku: The Gangster's Life
The Gangster's Life picks up the story of Indo-Canadian gangster Ruby Pandher, the hero of Ranj Dhaliwal's bestseller Daaku , as he recovers from a failed hit by his own associates. Violence, wild partying and flashy purchases mark Ruby's comeback. Ruby's eyes and perspective are widened by the new contacts he makes, as he tries to measure up to — and then sideline — big-time gangster Khalsi. Joining forces with a sinister associate and sounding very much like the modern businessman, he sets out to expand his criminal enterprises — all while battling his conscience and wondering what a life outside the underworld would be like. Soon he comes to see his old self as minor-league, and, joining forces with the sinister Darshan and sounding very much like the modern businessman, he sets out to expand his criminal enterprises. Meanwhile, life intervenes in the form of the possibility of love for this hardcore gangster; and in Ruby's brother Kam, who worships his bro' and wants to follow in his footsteps — something Ruby knows he's not equipped to do. Meanwhile, Ruby's activities pull him deeper into the violent side of the world of Sikh temple politics. Will Ruby's heart open, or is the flashy lifestyle too much to tear away from? Can he stop Kam from following in his own footsteps? Most of all, can Ruby break the cycle and leave behind "The Life"? Here's what critics said about Daaku :
"A fascinating look into the gang world's twisted morality, casual murder, commodification of women, and the inevitability of violent demise." — Quill & Quire
"A haunting parable about unfulfilled potential and lives wrongly lived ... an edgy, politically incorrect novel about South Asian youth and their vulnerability to organized crime, an issue treated far too simplistically by the mainstream media. Dhaliwal ... has painted a grimly realistic portrait of the West Coast gangster life and the flash-and-burn trajectory of all those drawn into it." — The Tyee ( )
"An excellent novel about Indo-Canadian gangs ... A scary peek into a subculture about which we know nothing, a tour of Vancouver suburbs as alien as Mars, and Dhaliwal makes as believable as your own back yard." — Margaret Cannon, Globe & Mail
"A fascinating look into the gang world's twisted morality, casual murder, commodification of women, and the inevitability of violent demise." — Quill & Quire
"A haunting parable about unfulfilled potential and lives wrongly lived ... an edgy, politically incorrect novel about South Asian youth and their vulnerability to organized crime, an issue treated far too simplistically by the mainstream media. Dhaliwal ... has painted a grimly realistic portrait of the West Coast gangster life and the flash-and-burn trajectory of all those drawn into it." — The Tyee ( )
"An excellent novel about Indo-Canadian gangs ... A scary peek into a subculture about which we know nothing, a tour of Vancouver suburbs as alien as Mars, and Dhaliwal makes as believable as your own back yard." — Margaret Cannon, Globe & Mail
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2011
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31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 27, 2021
Interesting insight to the world of gangs and everything that comes with it drugs, conflict , family. Even though it's based on a fictional character , my understanding is that the author has based this novel on what actually happens in the world of a gangster aka daaku
October 19, 2020
*read for literature of british columbia class*
February 5, 2017
Daaku: The Gangster's Life is a Indo-Canadian crime fiction novel. It shows the young gangster Ruby Pandher and his lavish and violent lifestyle in Vancouvers drug industry. Ruby who worked small time jobs in his early teenage years has now made it to the top of the food chain in the drug business. Ruby has all the money he could have dreamed of but along with parties, cars and girls. Although, in the gangster life, its not ever just rainbows and daisies. Ruby faces issues with the law, rival gangs and even friends.
Personally I loved this book because I enjoy reading books on crime very much and especially enjoyed this book because it was set in of my hometown of Vancouver. Ranj Dhaliwal portrayed the harsh reality of the gang issues in the Vancouver Lower-Mainland and did it very accurately as I was able to make many connections with dozens of references in the book. The book truly shows the issues with young Indo-Canadian youth growing up in Vancouver and Surrey and getting caught up in the gangster life. The story itself was a very entertaining read as the action, suspense and romance never created a dull moment. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys gang-crime stories. However, I would advise people who get offended easily to take caution when reading as this story is very explicit with violence and sexuality. All in all, this story was a ten out of ten for me and would read it again and again in the future.
Personally I loved this book because I enjoy reading books on crime very much and especially enjoyed this book because it was set in of my hometown of Vancouver. Ranj Dhaliwal portrayed the harsh reality of the gang issues in the Vancouver Lower-Mainland and did it very accurately as I was able to make many connections with dozens of references in the book. The book truly shows the issues with young Indo-Canadian youth growing up in Vancouver and Surrey and getting caught up in the gangster life. The story itself was a very entertaining read as the action, suspense and romance never created a dull moment. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys gang-crime stories. However, I would advise people who get offended easily to take caution when reading as this story is very explicit with violence and sexuality. All in all, this story was a ten out of ten for me and would read it again and again in the future.
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April 9, 2019Synopsis: Indo-Canadian gangster Ruby Pandher is recovering from a failed hit by his own associates! Violence, partying and flashy purchases.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews