Shantaram

When Shantaram was released a few years ago , it immediately became a best

seller catapulting its author and protagonist , Gregory David Roberts, to

instant fame. Critics sung paeans of his book, calling it a work of 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.

However the book was a disappointment on many counts.

a. The biggest 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 relevant

to the plot,detract much from whatever little merit can be accorded to this

book.

b. The book abounds in Bollywood cliches. Right from the beginning, the

rather filmy incident involving Karla where she saves the author from being

hit by a speeding 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 left for dead, Abdullah’s "rises from the grave" 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 strikes 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 for is

irrelevant and 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 abandoning 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 are true. But why does he obliterate every important character in his

story?

Lord Abdul Khader Khan is bumped off in a 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.

Very Clever eh!

Enough of my rants.

There are a few positive aspects as well.

Roberts genuinely loves India and Indians. His unmistakable affection,

understanding and sympathy for our country comes out clearly as he shares

his story.

Second, his command over the English language is quite impressive. For a

criminal ;) his imaginative powers are praiseworthy. He seems to have have the

right word for the right occasion. Some of his philosophical observations are

novel and witty.

The best part of the book clearly is the Arthur Road Prison incident. The

inhuman conditions and utter callousness of the police are described in

horrifying detail.

But all in all, Shantaram didn’t live upto my expectations.