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rajs's review against another edition
5.0
This is possibly my favorite book ever. While it's likely that very little of it really happened, I thought that the writing was beautiful. After moving to a new city, the story about finding yourself in a new place really spoke to me.
mil000u's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
acsaper's review against another edition
4.0
How many of these review start, "So I was beginning a trip to India..."
And, so I grabbed it off my shelf at home where it's sat for the past decade. It did the trick of occupying multiple flights. And, a intriguing and at times compelling narrative. Though not sure it's exactly a portrait of India.
That's all.
And, so I grabbed it off my shelf at home where it's sat for the past decade. It did the trick of occupying multiple flights. And, a intriguing and at times compelling narrative. Though not sure it's exactly a portrait of India.
That's all.
msco1234's review against another edition
2.0
Complete and utter waffle. Monotonous dialogue. Philosophical garbage. Several hundred pages too long - couldn't bring myself to finish it.
ciara_cronin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
m_klevenberg's review against another edition
4.0
This book was one heck of an adventure. It also changed my perspective on the Middle East. India is on my list of places to visit. I loved the way the author painted the Indian people. I'd recommend this book to anyone!
juneuk's review against another edition
5.0
This is so far from the type of thing I usually read, and I can hardly put my finger on why I loved it..all I can say is I found it to be a rollicking great adventure...based loosely on a true story..in this case 'truth is stranger than fiction' I think..
mindintheskies's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Shantaram is a book that left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, Roberts crafts an immersive picture of Mumbai in the 80s - its chaotic streets, bustling slums, and vibrant culture.
I also appreciated the novel’s deep exploration of themes like redemption, love, and morality.
However, at over 900 pages, the book feels unnecessarily long.
Many of the characters felt clichéd or idealized—Prabaker is almost too cheerful and simple (the happy Indian), while Karla remains an enigmatic, distant figure that never quite feels real. The representation of India, while affectionate, sometimes veers into exoticism, relying on a romanticised, Western view of poverty and culture.
It’s clear why the book doesn’t pass as a memoir or autobiography, and it is a novel after all! I probably won’t read the sequel.
Favourite quote:
“But something had changed in the world that Johnny and I knew. The innocence was lost, and nothing would ever be the same. I heard the words tumbling over and over in my mind. Nothing is ever gonna be the same ...
Nothing is ever gonna be the same ...”
I also appreciated the novel’s deep exploration of themes like redemption, love, and morality.
However, at over 900 pages, the book feels unnecessarily long.
Many of the characters felt clichéd or idealized—Prabaker is almost too cheerful and simple (the happy Indian), while Karla remains an enigmatic, distant figure that never quite feels real. The representation of India, while affectionate, sometimes veers into exoticism, relying on a romanticised, Western view of poverty and culture.
It’s clear why the book doesn’t pass as a memoir or autobiography, and it is a novel after all! I probably won’t read the sequel.
Favourite quote:
“But something had changed in the world that Johnny and I knew. The innocence was lost, and nothing would ever be the same. I heard the words tumbling over and over in my mind. Nothing is ever gonna be the same ...
Nothing is ever gonna be the same ...”
ninagoth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
erin3d's review against another edition
5.0
A story of one man's unique journey, with lessons on self discovery and friendship. For a book with such broad and vague purpose, which is also very lengthy, it was a surprisingly engaging and quick read. Also beautifully written.