7 replies to this topic

[Yashodhara]

I finished Shantaram yesterday, and like most of the people who comment on it I was very amazed and utterly absorbed by this fantastic story of crime, war, love and friendship. 600 pages would have been enough though I think, especially in the end I found the book quite long winded. But I keep wondering whether all this is true or whether the author might have added a bit of fiction here and there to make the story even more scandalous. Has anyone wondered the same? I mean obviously Roberts' descriptions of jail life, war and underworld structures seem very precise and could easily be proven wrong if they really were conceived fictionally. Throughout the book I kept thinking that the sum of all the events - and especially those lucky moments when people turned up at exactly the time they would be needed - was just a bit too much to be true. Searching the Internet and Roberts' homepage I only found the same events confirmed, but I still have some doubts. I am not the only one who thinks Roberts is a bit of a strange guy who easily indulges in boasting about his adventures and his role in them as well as giving philosophical lectures that are often more gabby than substantial, no? Also, have you heard that there are plans for two more books - both a sequel and a prequel - to the story? When are these supposed to be published?

Edited by Yashodhara, 05 June 2007 - 03:36 PM.

[iwanttogoback]

all fact or some fiction?

now that is the $64 000 000 question!

i personally think that it has been embroidered, after all it is in the fiction section, but with subject matter like that how can you tell?

[priya]

Be it fact or fiction, it does seem like a very interesting read!

I don't suppose it's available on PDF format?

[Yashodhara]

Embroidered is a well chosen word, iwtgb!
What about the goondas and dons Roberts writes about? People in the know of Mumbai underworld life at that time would easily know who he is speaking about if he ever cared to give fake names at all. And would the mafia guys let Roberts write about them just like that? After all the close ties and friendships?

[martinp]

I just wanted to add my own brief take on this topic - and a review of the book.

First off, as far as the enjoyment of the book is concerned, does it matter if it is real or not? I don't think so. Maybe you're just curious...

As to the book, I found it a very strange read. First it should have been cut in half. Then an editor should have ruthlessly cut some of the appallingly florid and purple prose. Genuinely, without any exaggeration, this book read contains some of the worst writing I have ever read – particularly the love scenes. Cliched, overblown, inflated... etc I can only think he either had friends in the editing department or he is as hard as they says he is and the editors were scared of him.

Amazingly, the Daily Telegraph described this book as a 'literary masterpiece'. The author must have tied up that reviewer and threatened him with a knife because it it genuinely breathtakingly bad at times.

And yet... there is also some genuinely good stuff in here, and some good writing to boot. Very perplexing.

I think I've been particularly honest in this review because the author is so pompous and vain about his so-called masterpiece. In truth it is a very poor book and yet could have been an average to good one with a sympathetic editor.

If you want to read the real thing, read Papillon. This is a great adventure - and great writing. And, yes Henri Charriere probably exaggerated much of it!

[Sherrydog]

The author says that many of the events that the story is based on are his real life experiences.He states that he wanted the book to have the page-turning drive of a work of fiction but to be informed by such a powerful stream of real experience that it had the authentic feel of fact.

So, what does that mean... beats me!

[smartsme]

yes the author does say many of the facts aren't fiction. I think I was so fascinated by the story till about page 700 and then I lost interest . I didn't finish as fast after that. I think his going to Afghanistan etc. just didn't get me.

[smartsme]

I do believe that Robert is a one time wonder as he has taken so much from the self for his book, it is often impossible to replicate the passion again. It's like Arundathi roy who clearly says she can't do it again.