Shantaram- Gregory David Roberts

This is quite honestly one of the most fantastic books I have ever read in my life. It is the only book that I have read  that made me cry, which if you knew me is no mean feat; normally only happens with Hollyoaks.

Writing this review has been really hard and I have gone through many drafts, each one being too gushing to publish. However, I do not think I can write a post without it being, so you will have to excuse me if I come across as a pretentious cunt.

What an incredible novel, and what an understatment to merely call it incredible. It is based on the true story of the eight years Roberts spent in Bombay after escaping from an Australian Prison. I think the premise itself is enough to get you hooked but what ensues is completely unexpected and fantasticly portrayed.

Throughout I was continually surprised at how much I liked the protagonist, Linbaba; a name given to him by his Indian tour guide and friend Prabaker. Prabaker is one of the many highlights of the book, the characterisation of him comes across with such warmth that you are drawn to like him instantly. He is also the source of most of the laughter in the novel, with a realistic and wonderful contrast to the harsh and difficult world of Linbaba’s life in Bombay.

The tone and beauty of the book results from the personality in both the good and bad qualities of Linbaba with his unwavering belief in the people he loves, his honesty and openness to anything and anyone. It is through these qualities that the book remains believable; with the absence of this honesty the protagonist would be despised for brashly boasting rather than a man whom inspires unremitting respect from the reader.

The minute attention to detail which gives the novel its length at no point becomes laborious but transports you to a different world and enhances everything that you are being told. All the characters are magnificently portrayed in every detail which is so important as this is a novel about the people he meets in Bombay more than it is about what happened whilst he is there.

I never wanted this novel to end. It is beautiful throughout, harrowing in many parts and astonishingly well written to the point that you read sentences twice or three times just to make sure that you have taken it all in.