"Shantaram is a novel of the first order, a work of extraordinary art, a thing of exceptional beauty. If someone asked me what the book was about, I would have to say everything, every thing in the world. Gregory David Roberts does for Bombay what Lawrence Durrell did for Alexandria, what Melville did for the South Seas, and what Thoreau did for Walden Pond: He makes it an eternal player in the literature of the world." - Pat Conroy, author of Prince of Tides, My Losing Season, and The Great Santini

It too me a long time and most of the world to learn what I know about love and fate and the choice we make, but the heart of it came to me in an instant, while I was chained to a wall and being tortured. I realised, somehow, through the screaming in my mind, that even in that shackled, bloody helplessness, I was still free: free to hate the men who were torturing me, or to forgive them. It doesn't sound like much, I know. But in that flinch and bite of the chain, when it's all you've got, that freedom is a universe of possibility. And the choice you make, between hating and forgiving, can become the story of your life. ...view entire excerpt...

From the Publisher:

1. Discuss Bombay/Mumbai as a “character” in the book. What role does it play? What are the things Lin loves most about the city? Why does he fit in there?

2. Why are Prabaker and Lin drawn to each other so quickly? What do they have in common that binds them?

3. Discuss how Lin’s prison stays end up casting a long shadow over his life. In what ways do the wounds from prison – both physical and psychological – change him? How do they change his outlook for the better? For the worse?

4. Characterize the various women in Lin’s life and talk about the role they play and the influence they have on Lin: Karla? Madame Zhou? Lisa Carter?

5. “Shame” is an important theme throughout the book. What does Lin feel shamed by and how does this guide him through life? In which other characters do we see “shame,” and what are the positive and negative effects?

6. The Bollywood world constantly weaves in and out of the fringes of Lin’s story. Where do you see it influencing Lin and the other characters in the novel? How does it make you feel to have this glamorous world of film so closely linked to the underworld of the Bombay slums?

7. Khader Khan has a fascinating, almost paternal, influence in Lin’s life. If you could pick just three words to describe his character, what would they be and why? Would you say you have chosen positive words to describe him, or negative ones?

8. Khader Khan arrives at the following conclusion: “It is wrong to kill. But your reasons were good. So therefore, the truth of this decision is that you did the wrong thing, for the right reasons…” Discuss what he means by this in the context of Lin’s life. More generally, do you agree with him, that doing certain actions can be wrong, but for the right reasons? Why or why not?

9. Lin’s journey to Afghanistan is brief but profound. Were you at all surprised by the depiction of social and political strife in that part of the world between the mujaheddin and the USSR? How do you see Afghanistan as depicted in the book tying into what you know of Afghanistan from more recent events?

10. “The choice you make, between hating and forgiving, can become the story of your life.” Talk about this assertion in the first paragraph of the book in the context of Lin’s entire life story. How does Lin’s life change based on who he hates and who he forgives? How have the choices you’ve made with “hating and forgiving” affected your own life?

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Shantaram web site Look in the Author Facts section to compare events in the book to events in the author's life.
»	Shantaram Movie News The movie rights to Shantaram were bought by Johnny Depp for $2 million soon after the book was published. He is producing and starring in the movie, which is slated for release in 2007.
»	Publisher's Reading Group Guide
»	Reading Group Gold Selection

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"One of My Favorite All-Time Books!!"
by gmmoreno (see profile) 12/29/09
Unbelievably compelling story, beautifully written with insightful dialogue and rich detail. Must read!

"THis fascinating epic entertains and informs about the life and lives of the residents of the inside Bombay. Fascinating narration and character development are prime for book club discussions."
by nichole (see profile) 02/15/09

"An epic tale set in India"
by donnadeleon (see profile) 02/13/09
This was one of my favorite books...very rich in details of both characters and setting. The author's appreciation of the varied people, religions, customs and terrain of India is absolutely contagious.... (read more)

"Escaped Australian convict does good and bad in Bombay."
by susieburch (see profile) 08/27/08
Fascinating story. Definitely needed pruning however almost everyone in our club finished. Lots of discussion topics.

"A novel based on the life of the author. Crime, passion, and exotic location."
by christymg (see profile) 08/01/08
A very entertaining read filled with crime and drama. Long, but engrossing.

"too wordy. Takes too long to tell a story. Could have been a much better book"
by mcdotreader (see profile) 05/30/08
This book had a lot of potential, but it too WAY too long to tell the story...that you lost the main point of the story. Someone should re-edit this and republish it, because some of it is really good.... (read more)

"Beautifully written book but not for everyone"
by chrissie60ca (see profile) 11/05/07
This is a remarkable book. It gives tremendous insight into life in India and I loved the characters that Gregory Roberts created. I think the fact that he lived through prison gave his writing about... (read more)

"good book, but a little lengthy"
by ellentambo (see profile) 09/05/07
Good book, but it took too long to tell the story. Parts of it dragged. LOts of very accurate descriptions of Indian people and their personalities. Characters were well-drawn, but there were a lot of... (read more)

"scintillating story"
by samarth (see profile) 06/05/07
it left a very profound impact on me.. touching story

"One of My Favorite Reads"
by jamstein (see profile) 06/02/07
Loved this book. Couldn't put it down. I have passed it on to several people and each come back and tell me what a great read it is. Don't hesitate, pick it up and start reading. You will not be sorry.... (read more)