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anna_ma's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lcline85's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as Shantaram. But his writing style is still impressive. You feel so connected to the characters. They're so real.
jennieleigh's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, I do not recommend this to any of my friends, because it's pretty bad.
I still loved it, because I got to spend some more time with characters I love so well from Shantaram, one of my favorite books ever (top 5 lifetime list). But unlike the racing plot and sparkling local color of Shantaram, this was rambling and made me wonder "what's the point" when I finished it. 900 pages is a big commitment to make to something that just isn't that great. Still spending more time with Lin and Karla and the outrageous cast of characters was a treasure and I couldn't put it down. One thing I will give Roberts: normally I get lost in a big cast and can't remember which character is which. But I know all of these dozens so well because they are so masterfully developed.
Bottom line: Not recommended unless you are Shantaram obsessed like me. If you are, drop everything and read it.
I still loved it, because I got to spend some more time with characters I love so well from Shantaram, one of my favorite books ever (top 5 lifetime list). But unlike the racing plot and sparkling local color of Shantaram, this was rambling and made me wonder "what's the point" when I finished it. 900 pages is a big commitment to make to something that just isn't that great. Still spending more time with Lin and Karla and the outrageous cast of characters was a treasure and I couldn't put it down. One thing I will give Roberts: normally I get lost in a big cast and can't remember which character is which. But I know all of these dozens so well because they are so masterfully developed.
Bottom line: Not recommended unless you are Shantaram obsessed like me. If you are, drop everything and read it.
nicuch's review against another edition
2.0
Really struggling between 1 or 2 stars so I'm just gonna round up 1,5 because I'm feeling generous, but this was a major disappointment. The entire time I was trying to understand why Shantaram needed a sequel, let alone such a long one and at the end I can confidently say that it didn't. The 100 pages of relevant plot in this could've been included in the first book if they cut some stuff out of that one or just split it in 2 shorter ones.
So much of this book was just irrelevant stories about irrelevant people to the point that when you finally reached an actual plotline or its resolution it was hard to make yourself care for it, because it was not worth all the lack of substance it took to get there. Just like 1st book could've gotten away with the length, because it was a story about escaping felon, India, and philosophy, this one had next to none of that? India was no longer that important part of the story, Lin was just doing things for a lot of the time (the amount of times his way from point A to point B is described in detail is ridiculous) with no interesting direction or purpose, and philosophical stuff I'm not particularly familiar with or invested in, but as much as I did read them with interest in the 1st book, here I just did not care.
And I do understand that this is a fictionalized autobiography, but the form just doesn't work. Either it's a fictional story with plot, main characters etc.; a collection of short stories about people he met along the way OR an autobiography it can't be all 3.
So much of this book was just irrelevant stories about irrelevant people to the point that when you finally reached an actual plotline or its resolution it was hard to make yourself care for it, because it was not worth all the lack of substance it took to get there. Just like 1st book could've gotten away with the length, because it was a story about escaping felon, India, and philosophy, this one had next to none of that? India was no longer that important part of the story, Lin was just doing things for a lot of the time (the amount of times his way from point A to point B is described in detail is ridiculous) with no interesting direction or purpose, and philosophical stuff I'm not particularly familiar with or invested in, but as much as I did read them with interest in the 1st book, here I just did not care.
And I do understand that this is a fictionalized autobiography, but the form just doesn't work. Either it's a fictional story with plot, main characters etc.; a collection of short stories about people he met along the way OR an autobiography it can't be all 3.
tombennett72's review against another edition
3.0
This book is without doubt a sequel - it would make no sense at all unless you've read Shantaram.
Like Shantaram, this book is laden with gloriously rich, interesting, and believable characters.
And just like Shantaram, it contains some beautiful writing.
Unfortunately, the beautiful stanzas are hidden well, within pages and pages of much weaker writing.
That, though, is the failing of an editor. Strong use of a red pen would have halved the length of this book and turned it into an absolute belter.
I have no wish to read either book again, but some of the characters will stay with me for a long time.
Like Shantaram, this book is laden with gloriously rich, interesting, and believable characters.
And just like Shantaram, it contains some beautiful writing.
Unfortunately, the beautiful stanzas are hidden well, within pages and pages of much weaker writing.
That, though, is the failing of an editor. Strong use of a red pen would have halved the length of this book and turned it into an absolute belter.
I have no wish to read either book again, but some of the characters will stay with me for a long time.
rovingsoul's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elenamoragram's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition
5.0
I know lots of people may not think this is as good as Shantaram, but for me it had two things going for it - I'm half in love with Lin the narrator (and I think as a narrative device, I'm meant to be, so hey, I'll go with it for the enjoyment of the book), and secondly, the cast of characters is just a joy to read, as they were in the first book, although most of them are new. They're so vibrant and colourful and just plain funny - like a gang of old friends. (Didier, I love you!). Ok so the plot wanders off a bit and (without spoilers) some things that seemed important to begin with turn out not to be after all (like life really), but I'm no longer sure the plot is the point - rather it's the people that are the point. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be sorry to leave this world behind.
And I want to go to Bombay!
And I want to go to Bombay!
nicky_jazz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5