4.27
"Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts is a sweeping, ambitious novel that takes readers on a wild journey through the underworld of Bombay, India. The book is a partially autobiographical account of Roberts' own experiences after he escaped from an Australian prison and fled to India. The protagonist of the novel, Lin, is a convicted bank robber and heroin addict who flees maximum-security prison in Australia and makes his way to the teeming streets of Bombay. Once there, Lin becomes embroiled in the city's criminal underworld, working as a forger, smuggler, and enforcer for a local gangster. Along the way, he also becomes involved in the city's slums, where he finds a sense of community and purpose among the poor and marginalized. "Shantaram" is a sprawling, epic tale that explores themes of redemption, identity, and the human capacity for both good and evil. The novel is rich in detail, with Roberts' vivid descriptions of Bombay's sights, sounds, and smells bringing the city to life in all its chaotic glory. The book is also notable for its complex characters, who are depicted with depth and nuance, and who challenge readers to consider the complexities of human nature. While "Shantaram" is a lengthy read, clocking in at over 900 pages, it is a rewarding one, filled with unforgettable characters, gripping plot twists, and profound insights into the human condition. Fans of literary fiction, adventure stories, and cultural exploration will find much to love in this immersive, transportive novel...
Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner
A powerful story of friendship, betrayal, and redemption set against the backdrop of the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy and the rise of the Taliban regime. This book is a good choice for readers of Shantaram as it also explores themes of personal transformation, criminal underworlds, and the struggle for redemption in a foreign land.
Learn MoreKhaled Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns
A gripping tale of two Afghan women whose lives intertwine in Kabul, during the violent upheaval caused by the Soviet invasion and the rise of the Taliban regime. This book is a good choice for readers of Shantaram as it provides a deep dive into Afghan culture and history, and explores themes of love, sacrifice, and survival.
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The White Tiger
A darkly humorous novel about the life of a poor Indian villager who becomes a successful entrepreneur in Bangalore, but at a great moral cost. This book is a good choice for readers of Shantaram as it provides a gritty and unflinching look at life in India's underbelly, and explores themes of ambition, corruption, and identity.
Learn MoreBarbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible
A powerful and moving novel about a Baptist family from Georgia who move to the Belgian Congo in 1959, and the impact of their experiences on their lives and the lives of those around them. This book is a good choice for readers of Shantaram as it explores themes of cultural clash, personal transformation, and the human capacity for resilience.
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The God of Small Things
A lyrical and powerful novel about the lives of two Indian twins, and the impact of their experiences on their lives and the lives of those around them. This book is a good choice for readers of Shantaram as it explores themes of family, identity, and the human capacity for resilience.
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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
A fascinating and moving exploration of the life of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells were taken without her knowledge or consent in 1951, and have since been used in countless medical research studies. This book is a good choice for readers of Shantaram as it explores themes of identity, ethics, and the human capacity for resilience.
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The Orphan Master's Son
A sweeping and powerful novel about a young man's journey through the North Korean propaganda machine, and his struggle to maintain his identity and humanity. This book is a good choice for readers of Shantaram as it explores themes of identity, personal transformation, and the human capacity for resilience in the face of oppression.
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