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Summary & Study Guide Shantaram: A Novel by Gregory David Roberts
A Novel Study Guide consists of approx. 54 pages of summaries and analysis on A Novel by Gregory David Roberts. This study guide includes the following Plot Summary, Chapter Summaries & Analysis, Characters, Objects/Places, Themes, Style, Quotes, and Topics for Discussion.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 17, 2012
This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. If I didn't know it was a work of fiction, I would assume it is the autobiography of the author, Gregory David Roberts. It is truly part biography and partly a book of philosophy, grounded in the culture of India. Roberts is without a doubt a brilliant man , but he was also a criminal , who escaped from prison in Australia. With the aid of a friend in that prison he escaped with still almost a decade to serve in his sentence.
He escaped and eventually made it to Bombay. It is here that he discovered himself and discovered all the people that make up the Indian culture. He did everything he needed to do to survive....honestly and dishonestly. And I think that his survival is what brought out his writing talent in this large treatise.
I have learned much from my Indian neighbors but they came from a different part of the Indian culture. Roberts teaches us about the vast majority of the Indians living on the subcontinent and their fight for survival on a daily basis. The mixture of truth and fiction will hold your attention like few books that I have ever read.
When you finish the book , you will know more than any college course could have taught you. You may even be tempted to visit Mumbai( what we used to call Bombay). It is a large tome but it's mixture of story telling and philosophy and survival will hold you in it's grip like few other books that you have read.
He escaped and eventually made it to Bombay. It is here that he discovered himself and discovered all the people that make up the Indian culture. He did everything he needed to do to survive....honestly and dishonestly. And I think that his survival is what brought out his writing talent in this large treatise.
I have learned much from my Indian neighbors but they came from a different part of the Indian culture. Roberts teaches us about the vast majority of the Indians living on the subcontinent and their fight for survival on a daily basis. The mixture of truth and fiction will hold your attention like few books that I have ever read.
When you finish the book , you will know more than any college course could have taught you. You may even be tempted to visit Mumbai( what we used to call Bombay). It is a large tome but it's mixture of story telling and philosophy and survival will hold you in it's grip like few other books that you have read.
December 21, 2015
One of my all time favorites. Could not put it down. So fascinating and wonderfully written. The descriptions of different areas of India made everything come to life and seem so real. I will warn you I was exhausted afterward but yet can not wait to read it again.
May 21, 2016
My favorite book; it will change your life. Keep a pen handy to write down some of the best quotes.
June 15, 2016
This book was good but much too long which deflated my rating
October 25, 2014
A-shantaram
Review of the book Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Published by Abacus publication. ISBN 0-349-11754-3
Why “Shantaram” I wondered when I first read about the book in the book review section of I think The Week, I did plan to read then, but did not actively pursue the book since it did sound very morbid and of course it was written by “Gora” and I am always skeptic about Gora’s writing about Indian culture.
The book does not travel that path, I mean it does not talk about India as a land of snake charmers and spiritual gurus the presentation is very realistic and contemporary. Though nothing peaceful it is about conflicts and philosophy that comes up at interesting places.
The book claims to be a literary non-fiction but is quite autobiographical in nature.
The book opens with the arrival of “Mr. Lindsay” to India who is Gregory Roberts with a borrowed passport. The book is the journey of a revolutionary with no cause, who escapes from jail where he was doing time for armed robbery and heroin possession. Generally called as Linbaba he comes to city to Bombay in the 1980’s meets and falls in love with Karla.
Linbaba’s journey to finding his home in Bombay, his stay in the slum, running an informal clinic, smuggling, passport racket, mujahedeen movement are all documented as a voluminous book that flows into 5 parts and each part further divided into chapters.
Linbaba in naturalization into Bombay befriends Prabhakar a tourist guide, and goes to his village, where he learns Marathi, and is adopted by Prabhakar’s parents it is there that he is named ‘Shantaram’ the man of peace. Oh! Yes Linbaba also is into official partnership with Lisa to act and provide “”Gora” extras for Bollywood.
The book seems so focused on the underbelly of Bombay, the gora lawbreakers; it is as if the city is claimed by Nigerians, Iranians, Europeans and other foreigners. The standard, corporate Bombay land of opportunities is visible as a faint illusion.
The protagonists stay at the Arthur Jail, his travel to Goa finding a father in the underworld don, a brother in Prabhakar does make an interesting though tiresome read.
One good thing about the book is you can flip through the book at any level, any chapter you will still get the book in its totality.
A good book if you are on a long journey and not too tired.
About the author-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_...
Review of the book Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Published by Abacus publication. ISBN 0-349-11754-3
Why “Shantaram” I wondered when I first read about the book in the book review section of I think The Week, I did plan to read then, but did not actively pursue the book since it did sound very morbid and of course it was written by “Gora” and I am always skeptic about Gora’s writing about Indian culture.
The book does not travel that path, I mean it does not talk about India as a land of snake charmers and spiritual gurus the presentation is very realistic and contemporary. Though nothing peaceful it is about conflicts and philosophy that comes up at interesting places.
The book claims to be a literary non-fiction but is quite autobiographical in nature.
The book opens with the arrival of “Mr. Lindsay” to India who is Gregory Roberts with a borrowed passport. The book is the journey of a revolutionary with no cause, who escapes from jail where he was doing time for armed robbery and heroin possession. Generally called as Linbaba he comes to city to Bombay in the 1980’s meets and falls in love with Karla.
Linbaba’s journey to finding his home in Bombay, his stay in the slum, running an informal clinic, smuggling, passport racket, mujahedeen movement are all documented as a voluminous book that flows into 5 parts and each part further divided into chapters.
Linbaba in naturalization into Bombay befriends Prabhakar a tourist guide, and goes to his village, where he learns Marathi, and is adopted by Prabhakar’s parents it is there that he is named ‘Shantaram’ the man of peace. Oh! Yes Linbaba also is into official partnership with Lisa to act and provide “”Gora” extras for Bollywood.
The book seems so focused on the underbelly of Bombay, the gora lawbreakers; it is as if the city is claimed by Nigerians, Iranians, Europeans and other foreigners. The standard, corporate Bombay land of opportunities is visible as a faint illusion.
The protagonists stay at the Arthur Jail, his travel to Goa finding a father in the underworld don, a brother in Prabhakar does make an interesting though tiresome read.
One good thing about the book is you can flip through the book at any level, any chapter you will still get the book in its totality.
A good book if you are on a long journey and not too tired.
About the author-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_...
January 5, 2016
This book has been recommended to me by an Indian friend of mine. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, I found especially the physiological discourses between the characters quite engaging and thought provoking.
Read
February 11, 20165++++++++++++++++
November 25, 2024
This epic novel, based on the author’s own life as a fugitive in Bombay, is a thrilling and immersive journey through the underworld of India. The book blends adventure, philosophy, and unforgettable characters, making it a must-read for those seeking a deep, captivating tale.
October 15, 2017
Brilliant. Page 399 and the book takes a turn
January 8, 2018
An interesting insight on India , amazing story
June 20, 2019
Great book but read it on kindle and it just seemed to last for ever.
October 24, 2019
If you need a not too deep book want to be entertained, learn some hindi swearwords...this is your book.
November 26, 2020
80% incredible and thoughtful; 20% macho cheezy action
October 2, 2013
I really wanted to give this book all five stars. There are so many good things about it, and some interesting philosophical statements. Obviously talented, but too arrogant by half, he pushes his demand that every event be repeated twice. The book is huge and long, and I like that in a book, as long as there is actually that much story. At something just short of a thousand pages, this book is the middle of a TRILOGY! Still if you're a fast reader, you should give it a read. Though it says it's a novel, it's apparently based on his true life, from escaping a New Zealand jail to finding himself embedded in the Indian Mafia. Really a lot of fun in many ways, but I won't believe he didn't have sex for the first five years of the book ...
February 9, 2011
This book is incredibly well written with lots of poetic language and intense situations. It is a spiritual journey by the author rather like 'Eat Pray Love' only harder edged and with a more precise sense of what that journey is and where it is taking him. It is autobiographical and it has a lot of dark places. I found it stimulating and something I continue to think about long after I finished the book.
September 3, 2012
An amazing story, a thoroughly enjoyable read
October 2, 2013
Amazing read
February 12, 2015
An interesting journey through India in the 1980's... Thought it was a bit too long but overall enjoyed it.
August 23, 2015
One of my all time favorites!
October 3, 2015
Never felt this abandoned, lonely, sad, satisfied and happy all at once, with the turn of every page.
Will take months to overcome its Hangover and probably a lifetime to get over it!
Will take months to overcome its Hangover and probably a lifetime to get over it!
January 28, 2016
Fascinating story; needs a 50% editing.
November 17, 2016
The most amazing book.
January 19, 2017
Long but so worth it
December 6, 2015
Adored book. Great use of language, utilizing all the senses & Indian dialect.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews