Shantaram: A Novel by Gregory David Roberts Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Shantaram: A Novel
Book Review: a rare jewel
Summary: 5 Stars
Shantaram is a rare find. It is the kind of book you are always searching for and almost never find. A friend gave me this book and I tell everyone I know to read it. It is captivating, beautifully descriptive, moving.....I could go on and on. The author speaks to the heart of the human condition. I could not put this book down but I was sad when I finished it, I missed the world he had lived and re-lived on paper. I probably will not find another book of this caliber for a long timeBook Review: amazing account of life in India
Summary: 5 Stars
The author paints a vivid picture of life in the slums and around Bombay. His autobiographical novel gives the readers privvy to many private places in the city. Word pictures that beg you to come to India and experience its incredible diversity are on every page. It is a long book but I can honestly say I didn't want it to end. It's been a very long time since I felt that way about any book. I hope Mr. Roberts will present us all with another fine book in the future.Book Review: author, author, go away
Summary: 2 Stars
There may not be much new to add to the hundreds of reviews already written, but given that the overwhelming majority include 5-star ratings, i feel compelled to reduce the overall average, as this is nowhere near a 5-star novel. With its blend of adventure, philosophy and mystery, it reminds me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, but doesn't live up to its early promise. There's way too much effort on the author's part to "blow your mind."
The novel is, of course, based on the exciting outlaw escapades of the author himself who sadly inserts himself way too much into the novel. His characterization of the city he loves (Bombay) and its people are wonderful, and by far the best part of the novel. His relentless explication of the many facets of his moral code are by far the worst parts of the novel. A few scenes of Linbaba standing up for truth, justice and the "thieves" code of honor - to illustrate the fine line between perception and reality of good, bad, and evil could have passed. The relentless parade of thinly-veiled morality scenes with the fugitive Linbaba explaining each and every one of his actions becomes just plain irritating.
Some judicious editing to knock the fugitive off his moral high horse would have been much appreciated, and could have easily turned Shantaram into a 5-star novel.
Book Review: awesome book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a fabulous book, it is an eye opener into Delhi culture and a great feel good read. Roberts has an easily flowing prose style, I read the thing in 3 days... all 900 pages. Fascinating characters and insights into the author's growth processes. I bought a copy and lent it to a friend, she passed it on to another, and another, never got it back, bought a second copy, my mother in law has yet to return this one, looks like I will be purchasing copy number three.Book Review: bloated and stubborn
Summary: 3 Stars
Although the plot is interesting and the writing at least partially evocative enough to compel most readers, this is a novel with serious flaws and it doesn't look like the reviewers are going to tackle them.
Our protagonist (the author) is a selfish, thrillseeking jerk. His life tries to smack sense into him with every turn, but he NEVER LEARNS anything. Talk about frustrating to the reader; by midway you want to choke the guy. At that point you see the same elements repeating themselves ad nauseum. No such thing as a transformation or maturation.
On top of that, the writing is flabby beyond belief. GDR repeats himself, his actions, ideas, and even turns of phrase often enough to become irritating. One comes to wonder, how did he manage to get this published without an editor?
My last beef is the author's blatant cliffhanger. After 1000 pages of this we'd hope there's at least a payoff, but there he goes riding off into the sunset of preplanned sequel #1. I wonder how many he has planned. Guess I'll never know.
All this said, it'll probably make a great series of movies starring Johnny Depp. And to be fair, it could've been a great novel if it had been compressed to about a third of its length and a maturation or two. GDR, grow up.