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Shantaram

In any discussion of books about India, it is inevitable that Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts should pop up. And for good reason too, because of all the books I have read that have India as their central theme, this one has remained a favourite. There are plenty of criticisms of the book, some that I half-agree with, but what stands out and continues to make the book so close to my heart is the refreshing honesty of the narrator and the beautiful descriptions that make the country and the city come alive.

Shantaram is set in Bombay and the author claims it is part-autobiography. The protagonist, affectionately named Lin when he comes to Bombay, is an Australian convict who comes to the city and explores it through its slums and the underground mafia world. But although Shantaram or Lin is the most fascinating character of the novel, we come across several more.

Prabhakar, the Maharashtrian taxi driver, is both charming and funny. Karla, Shantaram’s love interest, is mysterious and bewitching. Khader Bhai is the true voice of wisdom. And there are countless others, representatives of all the different groups and classes that make up the city of Bombay. There are drug dealers and thieves, gangsters and doctors, leaders and policemen, and all of them are portrayed in a way that is neither glorifying nor demeaning, but human.

One noticeable aspect of the book is its descriptiveness, which is so intense that it fills the mind of the reader with its images. As someone who finds their home in Bombay, as I read the book, I saw all the places I knew all over again. Even more touching were the many instances of interactions between Shantaram, a stranger in the city, and the locals, who welcome him with open arms. It is an insight into the warmth and love that guide Indian coexistence. At more than 800 pages, the book is certainly a heavy read, but with its thrilling storyline and unforgettable characters, I don’t remember being bored for a moment.