SHANTARAM by Gregory David Roberts

Dated - 08-Sep-2008

“SHANTARAM” is one of the best books I would highly recommend to anyone.

One of the most amazing books I have read recently. The book is a semi-autobiography. The book begins with the story of an Australian who lands India (Bombay) after he had a great escape from his Country’s Prison .He happens to meet Prabhakar ( a driver ) near the airport and introduces himself as Lindsay (a phony name) . With the help of Prabhakar, Lindsay finds a place to live near a slum. Prabhakar mother renames later Lindsay to “Santaram”. The story explores his life in slum, the people he meets and the other adventures he faces during his stay in India.

The book has excellent and deep story narration. The depiction of some of the lead characters like Prabhakar, Abdhullah, Kader Khan, and Nazeer are awesome!!!! .When the book describes the Bombay black market, the life of the slum people, the sufferings of the convicts in Bombay Arthur prison, the adventures of smuggling the weapons from India to Afghanistan, the suffering of a drug addict and the life of the gangsters it sends thrills and shocks through the spine to the mind. The author brilliantly captures the beauty and secrets of Bombay through his lucid Narration. The story touches the philosophy of crime, sin, love, good, evil, loyalty, betrayal, friendship that makes this book a philosophical and emotional reading.

I heard this book is going to be filmed soon . Johnny depp (Linbaba), Amitabh Bhachan (Kader Khan) are going to appear in the lead roles. If that is true, I would be the first one to hit the theatre when it is screened.