Shantaram

Shantaram #1, part 2 of 2

by Gregory David Roberts, Humphrey Bower (Narrator)

Crime and punishment, passion and loyalty, betrayal and redemption are only a few of the ingredients in Shantaram, a massive, over-the-top, mostly autobiographical novel. Shantaram is the name given Mr. Lindsay, or Linbaba, the larger-than-life hero. It means "man of God's peace," which is what the Indian people know of Lin. What they do not know is that prior to his arrival in Bombay he escaped from an Australian prison where he had begun serving a 19-year sentence. He served two years and leaped over the wall. He was imprisoned for a string of armed robberies peformed to support his heroin addiction, which started when his marriage fell apart and he lost custody of his daughter. All of that is enough for several lifetimes, but for Greg Roberts, that's only the beginning. He arrives in Bombay with little money, an assumed name, false papers, an untellable past, and no plans for the future. Fortunately, he meets Prabaker right away, a sweet, smiling man who is a street guide. He takes to Lin immediately, eventually introducing him to his home village, where they end up living for six months. When they return to Bombay, they take up residence in a sprawling illegal slum of 25,000 people and Linbaba becomes the resident "doctor." With a prison knowledge of first aid and whatever medicines he can cadge from doing trades with the local Mafia, he sets up a practice and is regarded as heaven-sent by these poor people who have nothing but illness, rat bites, dysentery, and anemia. He also meets Karla, an enigmatic Swiss-American woman, with whom he falls in love. Theirs is a complicated relationship, and Karla's connections are murky from the outset. Roberts is not reluctant to wax poetic; in fact, some of his prose is downright embarrassing. Throughought the novel, however, all 944 pages of it, every single sentence rings true. He is a tough guy with a tender heart, one capable of what is judged criminal behavior, but a basically decent, intelligent man who would never intentionally hurt anyone, especially anyone he knew. He is a magnet for trouble, a soldier of fortune, a picaresque hero: the rascal who lives by his wits in a corrupt society. His story is irresistible. Stay tuned for the prequel and the sequel. --Valerie Ryan

Genres: Fiction, India, Novels, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Indian Literature

477 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Gregory David Roberts (GDR) is an Australian artist, composer, songwriter, and author of Shantaram, its sequel, The Mountain Shadow, and The Spiritual Path.

Following the breakdown of his marriage and the loss of custody of his daughter, he turned to heroin to numb the pain, and crime to feed his habit. In 1978, Roberts was sentenced to 19 years in prison for armed robbery (with a plastic weapon), he escaped and spent eight years in Bombay as a fugitive. Here he established a free medical clinic for slum-dwellers and worked as a counterfeiter and smuggler for a branch of the South Bombay mafia.

Recaptured and extradited to Australia, he served out his sentence, which included two years in solitary confinement as a punishment for his escape. The time in solitary was to become a turning point in his life. When released, Roberts completed writing Shantaram and it was published in 2003 to critical acclaim. He returned to Mumbai where he set up a personal initiative to assist the city's poor with lifesaving healthcare.

In the years that followed he became an in-demand public speaker and philosopher and received thousands of messages from readers saying the book had been “life changing”. Roberts went ‘off-grid’ in 2014 to look after his sick parents and pursue a spiritual path of devotion.

In 2019, he established a multimedia company, Empathy Arts, and the following year released his debut album Love&Faith, which was recorded at Geejam Studios in Jamaica. The same year saw the release of his first non-fiction book The Spiritual Path.

Roberts’ life affirming messages on social media, of taking personal responsibility, never giving up, living a purposeful life and embracing our common humanity, have resonated with people across the world.

In October 2022, the TV series Shantaram based on the book, aired on AppleTV+. Roberts currently resides in Jamaica, where he continues to write, produce music and create art.

Reviews

[Wurtzies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book because I was looking for something that would take me awhile to finish. I literally walked down the aisles of the book store looking for something thick and meaty, when I found Shantaram. I read the back, and was hooked immediately, just reading about the author. As I read the book, I kept telling my husband that someone had to buy the rights and turn this into a movie. About a year later, I heard that it had been bought by Johnny Depp. Sadly, the project ran into so many problems, they finally canceled it. I'm a little disappointed, but then, there's nothing like a movie to ruin a good book.

I think this should be a must-read!

Just realized I'm review the audio version. I have no idea about the audio version. I read the book.

[Betsy Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has me. Completely. A friend from high school gave this to me because I married an Indian man. She said "Now you are an Indian, so here is a book to teach you everything you need to know about India and Indian culture."

She was right. I have been telling my husband things that he didn't even know before.

This is a novel that will catch you and draw you in before you've even realized it. You will learn more than you ever knew you wanted.

I can't wait to give a copy to my husband and my mom to read and learn.

[Anna Hundal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost as good as Rohinton Mistry's " A Fine Balance " . glad I read it first , many years ago. What I vividly remember is the superb characterisation of the Taxi Driver -Prabaker. . Amazing true story which wonderfully depicts the essence of India . Epic storyline covering the slums to prison life to Bollywood to the underworld mobster with fraud and drugs and if thats not enough a significant section covering the war in Afghanistan . . thoroughly recommend. Not a quick read !

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the best book I've ever read.

[Reading Glasses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is simply amazing! Hard to put down. I live in Bombay and the way David has described Bombay is completely mesmerizing and poetic in a way. I haven't read a single author whose description comes even close to the way David describes it. It's the little little things that make this novel a masterpiece! A truly must read for everyone :)

[Kyle Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. It was violent, philosophical, humorous, heart-felt, and provided so much Indian culture. It was such an interesting book that I couldn't put down.

[Clare218 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shantaram was the best book I have ever read. I recommend it to just about anyone interested.

[Lisa Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites.

[Flynn Heiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 2:

At 46-some hours between both of the "Part"s, this tale probably could have ended a bit sooner. Though the story is really incredible, most of the good stuff was in Part 1. When the plot thinned, some of the cornier elements of the author's style became more glaring, and I found myself rolling my eyes quite a bit during this second set of discs.

I still highly recommend the story over all. If you can listen to the first portion and don't mind not knowing what happens in the end, that's probably optimal.

[Jul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture of various segments of life in India, primarily the poor and the underworld. Painted great charcters but so many to keep track of. Good story, hard to believe it's true. Very long. Read it in segments. Generated lots of purpose of life thinking.

[Kejdi Vila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn this book was a masterpiece,,i felt both books when i was reading them,,lin has become my favoutire character of any book i have read in my life,,i think the second book was a little bit longer than it should have been with some stories that felt like fillers but,,godamn it was a wonderful journey reading it i will feel a litlle sad that there is not a third book but i will definetly reread it in the future,,

A DEF 5 OUT OF 5

[Nonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book based on the author's own experience; a continuation of part 1 and should be read/heard in sequence. It's sobering to realize that both the prison sequences & the drug use/cold turkey recovery were based on his own experience. (not for the feint of heart)

[Pamela]

One of my favorite books ever! His writing makes the slums a beautiful place. His writing really strikes my fancy.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is so vivid you feel like you are there. It feels like a true to life memoir and not a novel. Some parts are tough to take and then speed reading comes in handy.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful, wonderful novel. There's a reason why this has so many "this is my favorite book ever" comments. Well deserved.

[Patricia Salla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book ever, I read it twice actually as it is a marvelous masterpiece!! Delicous!!

[Yelda Ergin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Erdem ne yaptığımızla ilgilidir onur ise onu nasıl yaptığımızla."

"Virtue is what we do, honor is how we do it."

Gregory David Roberts
Shantaram
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Güzel bir alıntıyla başlamak istedim. Ben çok severek okudum Shantaram çok büyük dersler alınabilecek , yılmadan usanmadan yaşam için ama iyi bir yaşam için mücadele eden bir adamın neler yaşadığını anlatıyor. Silahlı soygundan hüküm giyen 19 yaşındaki Lin Avustralya'dan üst düzey güvenlikli bir hapishaneden kaçmayı başarıyor. Hayatta kalabilmek tekrar hapse girmemek için kızından, ailesinden, dostlarından ayrı kalma pahasına Hindistan'a kaçıyor. Her etnik gruptan insanın olduğu uyuşturucunun, kaçakçılığın, mafyanın, gecekondu hayatlarının her türlü pisliğin kol gezdiği Bombay'a geliyor ve sonrasında hikayenin sonunun nasıl geldiğini anlamayacağınız bir macerada buluyorsunuz kendinizi.
✍️📖✍️ Otobiyografik bir roman. Yazar kendi hayatını anlatıyor. Fakat bu tarz kitaplarda gerçek hayat ile kurguyu içiçe görebiliyoruz.. Evet uzatılan ve yer verilmesine gerek olmayan bölümler olsa da bana, bize göre kitap haline dönüştürüldüğünde bir şeyler katmak gerekiyor. Nasıl bir kitap filme uyarlandığı zaman ifade şekli değişiyorsa bu türlerde de kurgu da işin içine giriyor.
✍️📖✍️ Arka kapak iç sayfada yazarın kısacık hayatına yer verilmiş. Sonrasında yakalanıp hüküm giyiyor cezasını çekiyor sonrasında da an itibariyle yazar olarak hayatını Bombay'da sürdürdüğü yazıyor. Bu arada unutmadan kitabın devamı var. Dağ Gölgesi ; orada da anlatılanları tahmin ediyorum ve en kısa zamanda da okuyacağım.

[Trevor Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complete stranger was reading this. The cover looked interesting so I asked if she was enjoying it. She was & it has since become my favourite book. I almost stopped reading after the first 20 or so pages as I thought it was about a thuggish man. I am so glad I persisted with this wonderful book. I couldn't read it for a while after the Prabaker thing... (those who have read the book will know what I mean), but I eventually recovered & kept enjoying the book.
I have a friend who read it after I had finished & I was surprised he did not enjoy it. He thought Mr. Lin was a violent & unlikable man. This annoyed me as I think he missed the intent & tone of the story. Oh well. Vive la difference I guess. I like to think this story is true but so much of it seems fantastical, which was another of my friends gripes with it.
This is an amazing & sometimes heartbreaking adventure mixed with some pop philosophy. I love the book & highly recommend it to those who can make the commitment. It is a brick of a novel. One day soon I hope to start the author's subsequent novel,'The Mountain Shadow' which is sitting on my shelf under Shantaram.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most fabulous book I've ever read... and I've read a good few :) Superb in every single way. The story had me captured from the first chapter.. The story of this man who is on the run from New Zealand having broken out of prison is, what I can only call epic. Set in Mumbai mainly, the cultures. the life styles, the characters, so wonderfully described and the book is so brilliantly and beautifully written in a way that you feel, hear and see the characters... and you are left thinking. There is a love story here... In fact this whole book is about love in my opinion. This book is fiction, but based on what the author experienced in India. I couldn't say one bad word about this book and enjoyed every word, every sentence, the writing in exemplary in my opinion. This book to me is a must read... it has only made me more determined to get to India. Thank you Gregory David Roberts.

[Paul Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shantaram is a compelling and very detailed story, primarily of life in contemporary India shortly after the turn to this current century. I learned so much about India I never knew before. The story offers insights into the everyday lives of people who live in the many slums of the country. It also tells of other more affluent people, about crime, about sex, about drugs, and almost anything else that goes on in one of the most populous countries on earth. As much as I was intrigued by the life story of the author after he escaped prison in Australia and eventually arrived in India, I found that I had one lasting regret from the story. I was very sad that the woman he so deeply loved never married him in the end. But had they married, I guess the whole story would have taken on a totally different perspective, so the author did the right thing.

Everyone should read this story. I am certain it will become a classic unless it already is.

[Annika Lentso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Üks viimase aja parimaid raamatuid. Ehkki minu kogemus Indias ei olnud ligilähedanegi, hakkasin ma sellesse riiki veidi teisiti suhtuma. St ma ise ei olnud valmis Indiat südamesse laskma. Üks minakõneleja tundmus ja äratundmine kõnetas eriti - me kipume mingil põhjusel neid, kes meist veidi viletsamini elavad (misiganes põhjusel ja me oma ignorantsuses ei taha seda põhjust isegi teada), nende vaimsete võimete osas alahindama. Lihtsalt nende päriolu tõttu. Nagu se's raamatus pidas minajutustaja harimatuks meest, kes elas koos temaga slummis. Ja tabas end seejärel üllatumas kuuldes oma slumminaabri mõtisklusest universumiteemadel, millest viimane oli raamatust lugenud (ta pidas enamikke neid kirjaoskamatuteks).
See raamatu on väga mitmekihiline ja ilmselt jääb loetu minu mõtteid veel mõneks ajaks saatma. Inimeseks olemine, elu mõte ja saatus jmt.

A ja ma siis lugesin seda raamatut, mitte ei kuulanud :)

[Raluca · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was a bit confused about the way the two volumes were split, but it soon made sense to me. The beginning of the second volume feels a lot like all the hope from the first one was taken away, ripped and torn apart, but there’s a tinny thread still keeping us going and that’s more than we think we need. The action gets violent, brutal…there are truths unearthed that make Lin step closer to the edge of madness, more so than any other time in his life. Hell is other people, but they can also be your hope, your family, your anchors. I think that humanity can be found in the smallest of quanta and that things in the macro scale will always be chaotic, corrupt and uncontrollable. It’s up to us to hang on to the tiny specks of hope and love that we can find, for it’s the only possible way.

[Tulika Chikersal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mumbai aka Bombay is always better understood from an outsider’s point of view. Here is Shantaram, the title as well as the name that author gets while living in India.

Gregory David Robert’s words aptly describe the city’s vibe in the 90’s. I could easily visualise each scene, character, place, as if I was either present in that moment or watching a movie.

He brings the city alive in his narrative talking about its language, roads, people and takes you on a journey where he shares many chapters of his life.

Read it for:
1. Reminiscing Bombay (also slums n mafia)
2. New perspective on good and bad
3. Unfulfilled true love in many forms
4. Best of friendships beyond cast, creed & religion
5. Philosophy of life, surviving, living, co-existing, chaos and simplicity

[ArinaC · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Shantaram", cartea alături de care am petrecut cea mai lungă perioada de timp, vara asta. Este o poveste captivantă despre un fugar australian care ajunge în India. Povestea explorează viața protagonistului în mahalalele orașului, unde se împrietenește cu localnicii și se implică în diverse activități ilegale. Pe parcurs, el descoperă frumusețea și complexitatea culturii indiene, dar și propriile sale limite și vulnerabilități. Romanul este plin de aventuri, introspecții filosofice și descrieri vii ale peisajelor și personajelor. Este o lectură fascinantă care te va ține cu sufletul la gură de la început până la sfârșit. Pentru a savura la intensitate maximă povestea, asigură-te că o începi într-o perioada mai lejeră, în care te poți cufunda în ore lungi de lectură

[John Cheeseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so wanted this book to be as good as the first novel which is one of my favourite books ever but although I've given it 5 stars and I did really really like it there was just some warmth or something missing that the first book had. At no time was i bored, i loved all of the philosophy, I never knew what was coming next and the unpredictabiity of India and Lin's situation and I would certainly recommend this book to anyone however it was a tiny little bit of a let down after the first novel.
My other problem with it is it doesnt tell what happened to Lin and Carla and how and why he went back to Australia.

[Yao · Rating 2 out of 5]

Das zweite Buch ist voller unangenehmer weißer Überlegenheitskomplexe und hat eine zu starke Aura des Protagonisten. Erinnert mich an SAIDs Theorie des Orientalismus. Er stellt sich selbst als Retter dar, als eine Figur, die es in der indischen Gesellschaft schaffen kann, nur weil sie den indischen Dreck akzeptieren kann - d. h. all die Stereotypen und Vorurteile, die diese oft weißen oder ausländischen Menschen über Indien haben, und seine Fähigkeit oder Bereitschaft, die lokale Sprache zu sprechen, mit einem unverschämten Gefühl der Überlegenheit. Das ist ekelhaft. Und die Vortäuschung von "Erhabenheit", von "Denken" über das Leben, über das Leben.

[Melda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hindistan hakkında hiçbirşey bilmediğim bir yermiş.Okuyunca Hintlilerin düşünce tarzını,hayata farklı bakışlarını ve çocuksu tepkilerini görmek insanın içinde onlara karşı sevgi bırakıyor.Aynı zamanda yoksulluğun ve hayat şartlarının acımasızlığı karşısında gerçek olabilir mi diye şüpheye düşürüyor.Okuduğum en kalın kitap olması biraz zorlamış olsada dönüp bakınca kesinlikle iyiki okumuşum dediğim bir kitap oldu...Keşke okuduklarımı bu kadar çabuk unutmasam..Ama ne derler bilirsiniz,kitapla ilgili birşey hatırlamadığını düşünsen de artık kitabı okumadan önceki insan değilsinizdir...

[Elizabeth Yarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written. Poignant, suspenseful and intense. There is something for everyone in this book. I never wanted it to end....thank goodness there's a sequel! The Mountain Shadow. I am ruined in terms of being able to enjoy any other books. Loved this book, the characters and the sights and sounds of Bombay.

[Yu-Tong Kuo]

p.495
命運早晚會使我們和某些人相遇，一個接一個，而那些人讓我們知道我們可以讓自己，以及不該讓自己成為什麼樣的人。我們早晚會碰上醉鬼、廢物、背叛者、冷酷無情者、滿腔仇恨者。當然，命運會作弊，因為我們常會不知不覺愛上或同情那些人，幾乎是他們全部。而你無法鄙視你發自內心同情的人，無法避開你發自肺腑愛的人。

p.662
剛開始，我們真正愛著某人時，最大的恐懼是心愛的人不再愛我們。其實我們該害怕與恐懼的是即使他們已死去，我們仍無法停止愛他們。我仍全心全意地愛著你，普拉巴克，我仍然愛著你。有時，我的好友，我所擁有而無法給你的那份愛，壓得我喘不過氣。即使到現在，我的心有時也依舊沉浸在悲傷中，在每個星星、每個大笑、每個睡眠裡都有你身影的悲傷中，逐漸沒頂。

[Alki Bizzio]

Great book that captures you and wont let you put it down. Not only, when you finish you'll miss the characters!!! Interesting also because taken from a true story and takes you to India with all of it's contradictions, culture, religions and lots of history. Enjoy!!