When Shantaram was released a few years back , it turned out to be a best seller
catapulting its author and protagonist , Gregory David Roberts, to instant fame.
Critics sungs paeans of his book, calling him a genius, phenomenon and what not.
While this is not exactly a review of this book, I would like to share a few observations
on it.
Shantaram begins in Bombay where the author tries to start a new life
after escaping from a prison in Australia. The book meticulously details
his many adventures on both sides of the law.
Why I consider this book a disappointment is due to the following reasons.
a. The main drawback of this book is its prolixity.
Frequent digressions, self-aggrandisement and an irritating tendency
to wallow in tedious, overlong descriptions , whether or not
they are relevent to the plot, detract much from whatever little merit
can be accorded to this book.
b. The books abounds in Bollywood cliches. Right from the beginning the incident involving
Karla wher she saves the author from being hit by a bus , the way in which he is arrested before
being sent off to Arthur road prison, the loud manner in which Vikram announces his love,
to the sexual episode at the end and many others are clearly borrowed from bollywood.
Also, Abdullah Taheri’s appearance act. After being shot multiple times
by the Police in broad daylight and being left for dead, Abdullah’s reappears in the end
to meet his dear friend Roberts.
c. The plot too is riddled with many holes.
First, the motive of Sapna, the serial killer is not explained clearly.
Second, and this is very important, the character of Karla has been developed
only to serve as a love interest to Shantaram . The very first time Shantaram
encounters Karla and it dawns on you that her character is anything but real.
Her motives and actions are not sufficiently explained.
The "twist" in the end where it is revealed who she actually works is incredibly
witless. Also it is not clear why her loyalties had to be kept secret from
the author.
( Roberts had later acknowledged in an interview that Karla was indeed a figment of his
imagination.)
Somehow, the reason given by the author for abondoning the clinic to join
the underworld is not convincing.
d. Sure, this book is a fictionalised novel but Roberts claims that most of the events
had been true. Then why does he obliterate every important character in his story?
Lord Abdul Khader Khan is bumped off in no man’s land in Afghanistan,
Madame Zhou’s place is destroyed in fire, Prabhakar Khare dies a horrible death
and so on.
There is no one from whom Roberts story can be verified.
Enough of my ranting.
There are a few positive aspects as well.
First, it always feels good when a "gora" talks well of us Indians.
And Roberts loves India and Indians. His unmistakable love, understanding and sympathy
for our country comes out clearly as he shares his story.
Second, his English is quite impressive. For a convict ;) He has a very good
command over the language. He seems to have the right word for
the right occasion. Some of his philosohical observations
are novel and witty.
But the meat of the book clearly is the Arthur Road Prison incident.
The inhuman conditions and utter callousness of the police
are described in horrifying detail.
All in all, Shantaram didn’t live upto my expectations.