Sep 19, 2005 02:02 PM
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(Updated Sep 19, 2005 02:02 PM)
Would it be considered blasphemous for a Literature student to label Shantaram as the ''best book read in a long time''? Perhaps! But my friends were definitely surprised, when I shifted loyalties from Rohinton Mistry to one-time-convict Gregory David Roberts. I didn’t think it was possible. In fact I’d avoided Shantaram for the longest, despite repeated recommendations. Eventually, a friend got me my own copy on my birthday, and I immediately started what was to become a tremendously satisfying reading experience.
Set in Bombay, the book chronicles the protagonist, Lin’s life in India. Partly autobiographical, the author reminisces about the past, when he stepped into Bombay as a fugitive, only to continue living in Bombay, as one of its most loved inhabitants. On reaching Mumbai, he moves into an obscure little hotel, thanks to lovable guide Prabakar. What he (Lin) hoped would be a short halt, soon changed into a long holiday, with Lin making relationships with all those around him. His first friend Prabakar gives him a glimpse of the real India, and its people. With Lin, we as readers also get a peek into the not-so-glamorous India with its fill of drug dealers, addicts, call girls, hired killers, and separatist groups. More importantly, we also get to know these individuals as people with aspirations, hope, and love.
In Bombay, Lin meets the mysterious Karla, who catches his fancy immediately. What is initially speculated to be a crush soon develops into a strong bond, and love. Strangely, Karla doesn’t reciprocate with words, despite her obvious fascination for Lin.
Over time, Lin and Prabakar become closer, and Lin is invited to Prabakar’s village, where he spends the next 6 months. He returns more Indian, having picked up not just Hindi, but Marathi, much to every localite’s pleasure. It’s in the village that he is christened “Shantaram”!
After a few more nights in a club with Karla and her friends, Lin soon finds himself broke. Also, because of his passport problems, he then has to resort to living in a slum.
Guided by Prabakar who finds Lin a hut, Lin sets off on his next adventure. In the slum, he plays doctor, by curing burns and simple wounds. By then he has also befriended the mighty and wise Khaderbhai who gives him a surplus of medicines. Respected and loved, Lin settles in, making some close and loyal friends.
Life takes another drastic turn, when he is put in prison, by mysterious madame Zhou. In prison he survives gruesome living conditions, and ill-treatment, before he is rescued by a friend, Vikram. In his new life, Lin feels closer to Khaderbhai who he believes was responsible for rescuing him. He begins work for the man whom he also begins viewing as a father figure.
Lin (or Lin baba as he is fondly called) begins making passports for a while, eventually steering into the business of stocks and shares. But life is always exciting for Lin, who performs a miniature part in a Bollywood film, and plays a bigger role in fighting the Mujahedeen in Afganistan. However, who is admirable is his strength, and his emergence despite all obstacles blocking his path.
What I liked most about the book, was the narrative. The writer is brilliant, and his style is neither forced nor pretentious. His use of language is so apt; you’re often surprised because you don’t expect it of a man with his background. This book forces us to shed misconceptions if any, and grow with the protagonist. More importantly, it gives us as Indians, a peek into our own country. I guess, as Indians, we’re oblivious to a lot of what Greg Roberts has so beautifully pointed out.
Sensitive and humane, the book is a must-read!
