New Favorite Book...Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

[Flying Dream Blues]

I'm still reading it. It's the first thing I've read in forever that made me want to ration myself to keep it from ending.

This is an absolute door-stop of a book, 933 pages, but don't let that put you off. It's an epic adventure of the best kind, the protagonist of which is on the run from a prison break in Australia. He winds up in the seamier part of Bombay, working for black-market criminals and befriending all sorts of interesting characters. If you haven't read much about India, you will fall in love with it.

I truly believe this book deserves to become a classic. It's one of the most beautifully written things I've ever read.

[alarimer]

1. It is based on his own experiences.

Crime and everything. But it is a very good book.

[Flying Dream Blues]

4. Yes, I loved that aspect. Someone wrote on one of the jacket blurbs

that it was a good reminder that there are all types of people incarcerated. I kept thinking that if he hadn't been in prison he might never have written the book, and certainly it would have been a much different book. You can tell he has developed a very rich inner life.

[Mandate My Ass]

2. I am thrilled with this book

I'm almost to page 700 and I have to pace myself because I know I'm going to be sad when I finish it. He is a great storyteller.

Let's discuss again when we're finished, if you'd like. I don't want to post spoilers!

[Flying Dream Blues]

3. Sounds great. Glad to hear you are loving it! nt

[fadedrose]

15. THE MOUNTAIN SHADOW by Gregory David Roberts

Cheer up, people, there's another coming:


A sequel to SHANTARAM but equally a standalone novel, The Mountain Shadow follows Lin on further adventures in shadowy worlds and cultures. It is a novel about seeking identity, love, meaning, purpose, home, even the secret of life...As the story begins, Lin has found happiness and love, but when he gets a call that a friend is in danger, he has no choice but to go to his aid, even though he knows that leaving this paradise puts everything at risk, including himself and his lover.......

..

Check it out at:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/gregory-david-roberts/

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

5. I've just ordered it

Thanks for the recommendation. One of my favorite books of all time is Ringolevio & this sounds like it's on a par.

[Mandate My Ass]

6. I finished it

What a great read. Now I have to go out and buy it because a friend lent it to me and I know I'll want to read it again.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

7. Finished it last night

Certainly the best epic book I've read in a long, long time. For the most past I thoroughly enjoyed it, though I found it frustrating in places and felt the final act didn't particularly resolve the many threads (although circumstances, perhaps, dictate that it couldn't). However, it was very well written - poetic at times - and his love for the Indian people shone through. He is also very skilled at describing the uniqueness of individuals. By the end, you've met scores of people yet you know something essential about each character. (I especially adored Prabaker and all his talk of 'sexy business').

I don't know if you'd consider this good news, but Roberts has turned it into a screenplay for Warner Bros. The film will star Johnny Depp (as him) and so far Helena Bonham Carter & Emily Watson are signed up (Karla & Lisa?).

I've also had a look at his web site & he clearly has more stories to tell. (Apprantly he plans on 2 follow ups and a prequel.)
http://www.shantaram.com/

Finally -- THANK YOU for alerting me to this book. I'm now going to start recommending it to everyone I know.

[Flying Dream Blues]

8. Oh, that's exciting news. I guess I wasn't picturing Johnny Depp

while reading it, but I'm really warming to the idea. I lovvve JD. :)

Thanks for the link to the website...off to visit it now!

So glad you liked the book...btw, I got a cheaper copy at Costco a week or so ago.

[flamingyouth]

9. I just bought this after reading this thread

Looking forward to reading it. :hi:

[RhodaGrits]

10. WOW. Just finished it.

What a great read. This one and Shadow of the Wind are the two best books I read in 2005 and it will stay on my "favorites" list. I normally "gulp" hundreds of books each year in one or two sittings but I read this book sentence by sentence and highlighted some favorite passages. I know it got some criticism for its florid prose in some reviews but I loved it. It had all the murky, twisted never-black-and-white truths of how a life can unfold (and unravel). I can't wait for the sequels and I love that Depp bought the rights - I can't picture him as the lead but I can see him grabbing the story :-) I'm buying two more copies to give to friends for the holidays.

[flamingyouth]

11. I loved "Shadow of the Wind" too

And I have this book now - it's next on my list. Cool - new book to read! (I'm always happy when I know there's a great new writer to discover.)

[babylonsister]

12. Bought this today due to your recommendation. I can tell

by the size of it I'll be reporting back in the distant future; also bout 6 others. What to read first?! I love dilemmas like this!

[flamingyouth]

13. I finally just started reading this

I bought it months ago, but it's been sitting on my shelf. Because I have some free time coming up, I thought now would be the perfect time to pick it up. So far, it's excellent. His writing is wonderful and evocative. I'm really enjoying it. :)

[babylonsister]

14. I bought this book several years ago on your advice, and it is

FANTASTIC!! Thank you!