A well narrated story ....or should I say an Autobiography of Gregory David Roberts .....a criminal... Who’s runaway from the Australian prison and his escape to India, changes his identity to LIN and a journey through the slums and the brush with the Underworld kingpins of Mumbai.
It’s a true story and those interested in knowing about the truth of those behind the curtains who run our government..........then take a shot at this book.
Its’s about Gregory who comes to Mumbai and on the very first day meets Prabhaker Kharre ...the tourist guide who’s very affectionate and who befriends him and treats him like a brother.....and in the process gets to know Mumbai better than the layman.....and on one fine day meets Karla who he feels is an epitome of beauty and love.......NO THIS NOT ANOTHER LOVE STORY........BUT A STORY OF EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION.......A story which proves that ’’Love can Destroy.’’
The name ’’SHANTARAM’’ is what he’s re-christened when his dear friend Prabhu takes him to his native village and his parents think of him as another son.
From then on starts his journey from the village, back to Karla and Mumbai where he loses his money, passport papers etc. and stays in the slums as he knows he could be found by the Australian govt. He learns that the slum dwellers are the ones with a true heart and coz of his knowledges with medicines....becomes their slum doctor and attains respect........
Gradually he meets Karla’s pals Didier, Ulla, Vikram, Kavita….Maurismo, Modena ( each one with a story of their own) at Leopold a hangout for the rich and famous, the drug dealers as he makes a good commission selling drugs, Johnny Cigar and the rest in the slums, then Abdullah, and then Hassan , Madame Zhou, and his fondness for Lisa Carter (Karla’s Pal) and ultimately Khader Bhai who changes his life....……………..
The turning point is when you find the true link of the people around Shantaram.