#14. Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts

This is a simply epic novel, both in terms of its sheer size (930 pages) and its range. It is based on the life of Gregory David Roberts, a convicted bank robber and former heroin addict who had, at the beginning of the novel, escaped from a high security prison in Australia and landed in Bombay. The book follows his experiences as he becomes involved with a motley crew of characters, is introduced to slum life through a network of Indian friends, and becoming involved in a branch of the Bombay mafia. He ends up, with his mafia don father figure, in a warzone in Afghanistan helping the militia, before returning to Bombay. At times, it seems as though it simply isn't possibly that one man experienced so much 'adventure', for want of a better term, but then a life of crime, organised or otherwise, presumably takes one in directions unavailable to most others.
I found it to be a story of great contradictions - that a man who writes so lyrically, and who expresses such love for other people and for India could be so violent. Similarly, that his criminal friends, particularly the all-powerful Khaderbhai, could be so philosophical and deeply spiritual. And in fact, the endless soul-searching and discussions of the meaning of life wore a bit thin.
My favourite parts of the book were about his experiences of life in the slum, of Indian life and the family he built in Bombay. It was amazing to think of how these communities actually work to provide their residents with security, when they look as though they are simply hanging by a thread. And there were some charming anecdotes along the way, such as the story of Kano the bear and his two blue-painted bear handlers, who regularly got into trouble.
Although the book felt too long in places, generally it was hard to put down, and was an amazing, rollicking and sometimes hair-raising journey.