@banzansberger. A best writer is the one who can create words and expressions which doesn't exist. We are living in a post -deconstruction and post - structuralism age. Read Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. It got Booker prize, bookers booker and best of booker prize. Try to find if there is any grammar in that novel. Happy reading :)
For example, i just read wide-mouthed sigh...that doesn't exist. Nobody sighs with a wide mouth. when you sigh, you drop your jaw. If you sigh with a wide mouth, you're smiling. the use of inapproropiate adjectives is non-stop. it's really annoying me.
I just started reading it now. It is a page-turner but at the same time it is totally unbelievable and language he uses is really jarring...totally out of place. His biography reads like a scum of the earth loser....I hope all the hype is worth it.
I grew up in a slum in India....I am completely agree with this point of view...that people love each-other and have more smile to share compared to people living in cities
I read this book months ago and I still cannot get over the beauty, the power, the humanity that this book shamelessly illustrates and articulates. Gah, Lin. I honestly regret that this book had to end. If I had a favorite book, this would easily be it.
I spent 6 months out in Goa, India and Shantaram seemed the book of choice for travellers so I thought why not, and read it myself.
Very enjoyable and if even just a fraction of the stories in it are true then the author led a fantastic life. The book is far far too long to be a single movie.
Yes, technically. I avoid the kind of hackneyed phrasing, poor syntax and technical errors that riddle his work. But I am quite sure that as a storyteller, which is what counts, I am totally not in his league.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Disappointed that I have now finished the adventure with Gregory Roberts. Just want to say that perhaps the most interesting aspect for me was his honesty in acknowledging his dark side - those negative emotions like hate or jealousy, and his candor in writing about them. If only people (especially those on the spiritual path) realized just how important this step is. You can't master yourself without it. Well done Mr Roberts.
@catjoyyoung at what point in the book did you reach?. I found Chapter 12 to be a little unconvincing, as if a ghost writer had got hold of it, but the book improved from that point.
@nickgonewalkabout I was reading on Kindle so I don't even know what page it was. I stopped after he returns to Bombay after finding Karla. He begins doing the passport business. He gets in a fight with those Nigerians. Knocks the guys eyeball out. Then after squeezing the guy for info he pops the eyeball back in. Just not buying it. Also have a hard time believing that after all that pining for Karla he leaves her. The character of Karla seems totally made up. She is ridiculously quote-able.
I just have to say that your comments gave me the biggest laugh all night. What you said struck me as very, very funny, especially with that "psuedo deep manner." At the moment I read that I recalled Johnny's "deep manner speaking." LOL! Somewhat different from his real personality "ay mate? LOL!
overwritten, too long . The main problem that I had with it was that the author cannot resist making himself out as the toughest guy, the kindest guy, the greatest 'doctor', saviour, freedom fighter par excellence, superlover, maddest druggie on the planet, misunderstood philosopher. Got tired of it after 200 pages but laboured on. Why write ten words to describe it when you can use 10,000 words to achieve the same but leave your readers behind, Would make a good film though
I can sum this book up by quoting a couple of lines from it; "I was hers, she was mine. My body was her chariot , and she drove it into the sun." The book is filled with this drivel that sounds like a 13 year old wrote it... which is who I'm guessing is giving all the good reviews. The author looses the story by getting too caught up in his own long winded literary mazes.
Love the book but it would be practically impossible to corporate all the emotions, beauty and the " life" into a movie....if you allow it, your imagination recreates every single detail read, the smell, the faces.... The book is not only then the story of one person, but your own.
THANK u, Gregory D Roberts, the journey you took me on, has transformed me. fantastic job.
" I don't know what scares me more - the madness that smashes people down, or their ability to endure it." ...Carla.
Loved this book so much, would love to see it in a film as long as hollywood keep the writers off it. Can anybody recommend any books that come close to this kind of adventure story. i have just finished ranulph fiennes autobiography and now i am stuck.
hi there, i'd highly recommend papillon by henri charriere, it's a true story about the authors escape from french guianas penal colonies.....an excellent read
Best book I have ever read! It is perfect. And I love Johnny Depp, but he's too sweet for the role, it needs a tougher guy who looks a bit rough around the edges...maybe a new guy? Christian Bale would be good though i reckon, he is intense and dedicated.
man im such a fan....the language....d emotions....this book has touched my soul from with in...best book i ever read.....the theories d thinking process the mind....m jus lucky 2 have found this book n read it.....love u man !
i LOVE his bodylanguage!! its completely indian! i love it. am reading the book now, and am amazed and moved by how respectfully he portrays indians, white people - everybody. i think he must have a good heart
yea great book, best i have ever read, in fact, only book i have ever read.....took me 6 months to get through the 900 page sisterfucker but i did it.
@randomstooge Yeah, non-fiction, heavier than Shantaram. It touches on some politics and finance, but always in an interesting and human way. The sections on dancing girls, the mafia, bollywood and housing are awesome. My main advice: never mind books, go there. I was there just a few days and I promise you, that city grabbed me by the heart.
I tyhink he is sexy. I accidently walked into that slum as a model- awful. I was stared at...and turn briskly walked out...I had to do everything NOT to run...I only looked up cause of the stink of shit!
i imagined him totally different too! -brown short hair for a start, but hey. and as leapingleprachauns said, it feels like somebody's missing now that i've finished the book (last night). very instructive on the indian culture side too.
My manager at Borders recommended this book as my next read. We both think it is the best book we ever read, and we read a lot of really good books! Bravo! Greg is an awesome speaker as well. Loved the all the videos, thanks for posting!
I purchased the book Shantaram. I'm not even a quarter of the way through it but I have enjoyed it so far and think that it will be a good read overall. I would like to go to India. I doubt there is any place like it in the world. I have friends taht have been, but I want to experience it. Seems amazingly hard and exciting at the same time.
It's a great book. I thought he would of said more about the scams that went on in India. It's a wonderfull place. So rewarding and frustrating at the same time. You can never get bored in India. The comments about it being the Italy of Asia, well i am dumb founded. India is so British! The red tape the politeness etc. Only Pondicherry have i found any sniff of Continental Europe.
hes a great writer,but its all fiction,he was in india,he met many who sparked characters,as i did when i was in india,he roamed free while on the run? congo to south africa?he never got sick in the diese ridden slums?why doesnt he answer questions on if its fiction in the conferences?he was never killed in afgahnastan?, 5-8% is true its claimed.Why is still listed as fiction?wake up people,why is leopalds mentined over 2600 times in the book?check sapna?never existed in media or police records
he mentions India about a million times in the book, perhaps he has a buisness deal with the indian government aswell and gets a cut of their tourism trade??
good point this made me really want to go there, and he is very biased about the peole of india, he keeps going on about how they can love and all that
Truly a masterpiece - There is beautiful sayings,quotes, in the book that are so ... real,so true, and so magical.
I am almost done reading it. I honestly do not want it to end.
I will read this book again , this time I will highlight all the great lines that Made life easy/hard for Lin.
I really wonder who the FULL cast will be in the film. Nana Patekar (ab tak) or even Manoj Bajpai (Shool) would make great characters in the film , even Irfan Khan.
One of quotes that I like from the book is that: "The Indians are the Italians of Asia". It is so true based on my experience living in Asian countries. It was also fascinating for me to discover that the Japanese are indeed the Germans of Asia. And believe me or not, the Indonesians are the French of Asia...both have exquisite cultural legacy, and strangely enough both always think that the whole world love them (while in fact, sometimes many countries get irritated by them....lol)
the book's so fascinating and breathtaking. the author views things in such different ways than others. it made me think and laugh and cry at the same time. maybe people can't really understand unless they go through equally extraordinary experiences in their lives.
hey, i m an italian studyin in uk. my best buddy is an indian. and in some ways i can feel that we italians r more or less similar to the indians. i read in the book, that INDIA is the italy of asia and vice versa. i do agree wid it. we guys rejoice and celebrate on miniscule things. If u really wanna know the relation between indian and italian.....giv dem a glass of beer each.....and see how they enjoi. they wud seem like long lost brothers. As my indian mate told "BINDAAS" is wat we are.
rossoneri - I think that you couldn't be more true. I only realised this when I went to India a short time ago and realised the similarities there were between the two cultures. Although at the surface Italy and India are quite different, the little things such as; lining up at queues, driving etiquette to even media sensationalism were a few.
u have to read the book to realize that the way he has told his "stories", it can never be false. yes, its a work of fiction. but, i still believe most of it is true.
He writes it like it is an autobiography however it is pure fiction, almost fantasy. The characters are made up. The story is made up but inspired loosely on some events in his life. All fictions are partly inspired by the authors lives. In this fiction he plays an unwitting hero, a modest dangerous man with a sensitive underbelly. The authors observations of Indian culture are portrayed through his characters experiences in the book.
If you thought some Indians were brave, selfless, and loyal for example, you may think up and event to better demonstrate it... like a man called Prabaker taking a beating just reserve his employer/friend a seat. His opinions on the underdogs are compatible with what many want to believe, from this comes the impossible assertion that Santaram is a Fiction but a real autobiography at the same time.
I am sorry that u had a bad experience. I have lived with Indians, and I have had some experience of their feelings and behaviour. I also have just seen slumdog millionaire.I dont know if u have seen this film, but there are some times that the main hero has to steal, to have something to eat. I cannot really describe this as a crime. Deep down , what I have learned from these people, is that their heart is far more open than westerners.
I did not have a bad experience. And I agree with you, all nations have both good and bad people however most of the Indians I have met have been good heart kind people.
The same happened with a book called Chief Buffalo Long Lance for example, the author of which loved native american culture so much that he wrote a autobiography portraying himself as a great chieftain of heroic deed. Readers were so romanced by the Native American's way of life and ideals, they agreed with the views presented so much, that they were prepared to believe the author was the hero he portrayed, after all.. saying otherwise was to reject his views in Native American culture.
You make prefect sense. I liked reading about India and its culture but I found his stories to be far fetched and cliche like something out of a Hollywood film. I dont think Jjonny Depp will play this film, not quirky enough and too cliche. Bruce Willis might be good.
From his website "Its a funny thing, how people react to the discovery that Karla and Prabaker, Abdullah and Khaderbhai, Didier and Khaled Ansari and all the others are created characters, and not real beings."
Who cares its a damn fine novel, and he is writing the sequel :) can't wait
is he really writing the sequel?? what a bad word "sequel"...anyway i've got to admitt that that discovery sounded really bad to me but didn't spoil the magnificence of the book at all!
They should have everyone read this book in school once they hit highschool.
I am in the middle of the book. I have read that Prabhaker is a fake character , and other few like Dieider and even Karla. I will find this info and send to whoever needs. I am not 100% sure .
I just want to thank you, Gregory D Roberts for this stunning creation, whether it's wholley auto-biographical, partly...or completely made up!! It's a book I vowed to treasure from the moment I read the first 50-100 pages. And if I can recommend it to everyone I know and atleast one of them says it's now their favourite book ever, I'd be happy as Larry! ;)
i love shantaram i really do and just like the other comments i didn't want the book to end either. I know the movie probably won't be just as good but i still really hope it comes out. Thank you so much for creating such a master piece!
I just finished reading Shantaram a few days ago and I didn't want the book to end, so I took my time for once. I've breezed through larger books in less time. Wonderful book and I hope the film gets made soon!
I have such delusions of grandeur!!! Had never heard of the book, picked it because of its Indian looking cover...left it on my shelf for almost a year....Then I picked it up, and it blew me away!!!! Anyone who is read this book is truly lucky, and I was thrilled (but not surprised) that all of the commentors felt the same way. It is THE gift that I will give this holiday season. I will be forever gratedul to G.D. Roberts for writing such a masterpiece!!
I am reading it now and can't put it down....I spent 3 months in India ...I love it and hated it at same time.you are helping me understand the place.Thanks! SK san francisco
Never before have i taken so to to finish a book. I think its because I am devouring every word, smell and sensation and I am taking the time to consume and understand and feel the most amazing things that this author has experienced. His life is full of excitement and happiness, grief, hardship and despair. Truly the best written book I have ever read.
Your comment has mirrored my own intended. I have not yet finished this amazing beautiful masterpiece, purely because as you stated, I am savouring every moment!!! I have always rushed through books... not so this time. I never want to complete this powerful story, it is my life at the moment and what will I do when its over?!! May sound weird but Im captivated. What characters.. what a country.. WHAT A MAN. Nuff said.
ditto! I just finished it this weekend, and I wandered around the next few days feeling like I was missing something... Fantastic piece of writing. I don't mind that the characters are not all real. The insights and feelings behind the writing obviously are.
This guy is absolutely amazing!! Not only is this guy a great writer. He also acts soooo well! I love his imitations! And his occasional snippets of hindi! =)
is in Africa, and just like ALL UFO'S come to the states more than likely by the time Hollywood is finished with it he will of got out of Alcatraz and the movie set in Mexico! but seriously i cant wait either (fingers crossed )
Truly said... But depp is much of a talented actor who dissolves into the role. Jus hope tat dis movie is wel made keepin in mind its popularity of the book....!
Best book i've ever read. And as for everyone saying that Depp is a bad choice for the role of Lin, Johonny Depp is arguably the best actor alive right now, and is the only actor who would do the role any justice.
yer he's a great actor but i mean theres no similarity between Gregory and johnny in terms of looks and when i read the book i didn't imagine him to look like johnny depp when i read the book.
yer he's a great actor but i mean theres no similarity between Gregory and johnny in terms of looks and when i read the book i didn't imagine him to look like johnny depp when i read the book.
looks dont' mean a whole hell of a lot when transcribing the written word on to the big screen quite honestly. Brad Pitt is a great actor, and he's shown himself more than willing to dirty himself up to the point where he's hardly recognizable, but no matter what he does to himself, he's still one of the most beautiful men alive while much of Lin's character comes from the place of being an ugly man. neither Gregory David Roberts nor Depp are ugly at all but Depp can play ugly better than brad
Think about brad Pitt stoned in true romance, not many actors can pull off being a stoner- Pitt is one! and seeing as there shall be a lot of that in it i think brad would be a better choice,
I'm glad so many people think this book is so amazing. I also genuinely think this is the best book I've ever read... as do EVERYBODY I've leant it too. I don't see how Jonny Depp will suit the character - unjustly 'Hollywoodized'. Shame.
1st of all thanks for the video. i am not a reader but when i started with shantaram i did not want it to ever end. i am eagerly waiting for the sequels and the movie. greg you are great. thanks for sharing it. its a shame i havent been to those slums despite staying in india.
I read his 936 page book in 3 days. Couldn't put it down and I rate it as one of best books I've ever read. His rough stories are graced with beautiful prose and hits you in the heart.
shantaram is one of the most brilliant books i have ever read. gregory david roberts is an amazing writer, the book is so exciting, sad, beautiful and real. the way he weaves his words is like no other author i have experienced. i could hardly believe it wasnt just fiction, but his life story! he seems like such a cool guy, hes got to be, johnny depp is going to play him in the movie ;)
johnny depp is in everything... and he's to good looking to play Gregory David Roberts... They should of got someone else.. Johnny has definantly got the talent but there's just so much Johnny you can take.
great character,amazing story
akihamid1 1 week ago
the guy is amazing!!! yes he is, fuck all else, if anyone read that book and got it they'd appreciate him, not just as an author
lovinglaurie0 1 month ago
@banzansberger. A best writer is the one who can create words and expressions which doesn't exist. We are living in a post -deconstruction and post - structuralism age. Read Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. It got Booker prize, bookers booker and best of booker prize. Try to find if there is any grammar in that novel. Happy reading :)
Pyrophallus 1 month ago
got me one week to read, simply amazing!
riotheads 2 months ago
when is the movie commin out!!!!
mudscuddle666 3 months ago
For example, i just read wide-mouthed sigh...that doesn't exist. Nobody sighs with a wide mouth. when you sigh, you drop your jaw. If you sigh with a wide mouth, you're smiling. the use of inapproropiate adjectives is non-stop. it's really annoying me.
banzansberger 4 months ago
I just started reading it now. It is a page-turner but at the same time it is totally unbelievable and language he uses is really jarring...totally out of place. His biography reads like a scum of the earth loser....I hope all the hype is worth it.
banzansberger 4 months ago
I'm reading the book now. I love the writing. I feel I'm transported to Mumbai every night. I wish there more Prabakers in the world.
atlantascout 4 months ago
he is absolutely captivating.
tanyaelisabethgalt1 5 months ago
I grew up in a slum in India....I am completely agree with this point of view...that people love each-other and have more smile to share compared to people living in cities
rmpaswan 5 months ago
'A man must love his bear' - Prabaker
bravohotel10 5 months ago 26
don't end up like this hippie faggot telling fairy tales: MANHOOD101. COM
thenfm 5 months ago
@thenfm
Read the book and youll see youre the hippy faggot
alan110357 5 months ago
@alan110357 put ur mom's cock back in ur mouth you dumb faggot so u make more sense
thenfm 5 months ago
When is the movie & the sequel of 'Shantaram' to be released?? I love this book & never wanted it to end.
Safia1117 6 months ago
I read this book months ago and I still cannot get over the beauty, the power, the humanity that this book shamelessly illustrates and articulates. Gah, Lin. I honestly regret that this book had to end. If I had a favorite book, this would easily be it.
iamhaddyxo 7 months ago
I spent 6 months out in Goa, India and Shantaram seemed the book of choice for travellers so I thought why not, and read it myself.
Very enjoyable and if even just a fraction of the stories in it are true then the author led a fantastic life. The book is far far too long to be a single movie.
radgracie 10 months ago
Good story, well told; crappy writing technically but then so was Da Vinci Code.
bookmanjb 10 months ago
@bookmanjb
Could you write better?
Nash3100 9 months ago
@Nash3100
Yes, technically. I avoid the kind of hackneyed phrasing, poor syntax and technical errors that riddle his work. But I am quite sure that as a storyteller, which is what counts, I am totally not in his league.
bookmanjb 8 months ago
Comment removed
Sox1909 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@bookmanjb Were you born an idiot? Or is it something you are continually aspiring to be? You can stop aspiring; you're there!
Sox1909 7 months ago
I wonder wbout the story....how much is true
alom64 11 months ago
haha his phone goes off at 4:27 : Abdullah "brother! knife fight!"
jemoffen 1 year ago
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Disappointed that I have now finished the adventure with Gregory Roberts. Just want to say that perhaps the most interesting aspect for me was his honesty in acknowledging his dark side - those negative emotions like hate or jealousy, and his candor in writing about them. If only people (especially those on the spiritual path) realized just how important this step is. You can't master yourself without it. Well done Mr Roberts.
consciouscout 1 year ago
Just finished it. Best book I have ever read.
leaware 1 year ago
I think he's full of bullshit. Half way through the book and I am not convinced.
catjoyyoung 1 year ago
@catjoyyoung at what point in the book did you reach?. I found Chapter 12 to be a little unconvincing, as if a ghost writer had got hold of it, but the book improved from that point.
nickgonewalkabout 1 year ago
@nickgonewalkabout I was reading on Kindle so I don't even know what page it was. I stopped after he returns to Bombay after finding Karla. He begins doing the passport business. He gets in a fight with those Nigerians. Knocks the guys eyeball out. Then after squeezing the guy for info he pops the eyeball back in. Just not buying it. Also have a hard time believing that after all that pining for Karla he leaves her. The character of Karla seems totally made up. She is ridiculously quote-able.
catjoyyoung 1 year ago
Does Jonny fucking Depp have to be in everything.
Interested in Hunter S Thompson's journalistic writings....... Johnny Depp
Interested in the sociological phenomenon of psychedelic pop through the Doors.... Jonny Depp.
Christ just fuck off Johnny Depp with your pseudo deep manner. Fuck Off
ph03n1xamb1t 1 year ago
@ph03n1xamb1t
I just have to say that your comments gave me the biggest laugh all night. What you said struck me as very, very funny, especially with that "psuedo deep manner." At the moment I read that I recalled Johnny's "deep manner speaking." LOL! Somewhat different from his real personality "ay mate? LOL!
pierresplace 1 year ago
@ph03n1xamb1t the Doors, Val Kilmer, agreed though
2perge 1 year ago
i`m reading..it right now..
jawanasai 1 year ago
overwritten, too long . The main problem that I had with it was that the author cannot resist making himself out as the toughest guy, the kindest guy, the greatest 'doctor', saviour, freedom fighter par excellence, superlover, maddest druggie on the planet, misunderstood philosopher. Got tired of it after 200 pages but laboured on. Why write ten words to describe it when you can use 10,000 words to achieve the same but leave your readers behind, Would make a good film though
claffeyg 1 year ago
@claffeyg I agree completely. I could not get through it.
catjoyyoung 1 year ago
I can sum this book up by quoting a couple of lines from it; "I was hers, she was mine. My body was her chariot , and she drove it into the sun." The book is filled with this drivel that sounds like a 13 year old wrote it... which is who I'm guessing is giving all the good reviews. The author looses the story by getting too caught up in his own long winded literary mazes.
vanderbain 1 year ago
Love the book but it would be practically impossible to corporate all the emotions, beauty and the " life" into a movie....if you allow it, your imagination recreates every single detail read, the smell, the faces.... The book is not only then the story of one person, but your own.
THANK u, Gregory D Roberts, the journey you took me on, has transformed me. fantastic job.
" I don't know what scares me more - the madness that smashes people down, or their ability to endure it." ...Carla.
glowfama 1 year ago
Loved this book so much, would love to see it in a film as long as hollywood keep the writers off it. Can anybody recommend any books that come close to this kind of adventure story. i have just finished ranulph fiennes autobiography and now i am stuck.
katandmcgee 1 year ago
@katandmcgee, it's a bit like books from noah gordon
melhanky 1 year ago
hi there, i'd highly recommend papillon by henri charriere, it's a true story about the authors escape from french guianas penal colonies.....an excellent read
dynamitephil 1 year ago
Best book I have ever read! It is perfect. And I love Johnny Depp, but he's too sweet for the role, it needs a tougher guy who looks a bit rough around the edges...maybe a new guy? Christian Bale would be good though i reckon, he is intense and dedicated.
fearsen 1 year ago
man im such a fan....the language....d emotions....this book has touched my soul from with in...best book i ever read.....the theories d thinking process the mind....m jus lucky 2 have found this book n read it.....love u man !
gauravcashyapify 1 year ago
True City of Joy - just in Bombai wunderful book and a great man a true Shantaram
SuperShakuntala 1 year ago
i LOVE his bodylanguage!! its completely indian! i love it. am reading the book now, and am amazed and moved by how respectfully he portrays indians, white people - everybody. i think he must have a good heart
zaia3957 1 year ago
is the book non fiction?? people have told me its ficton? others have told me its based on true story, but ficton parts to it?
stewygts 1 year ago
@stewygts
It's "factual". Some parts true, some not. The fact that he escaped from prison and lived in a slum is obiously true.
liktenrullandesten 1 year ago
YES!
sarahwesttv 1 year ago
yea great book, best i have ever read, in fact, only book i have ever read.....took me 6 months to get through the 900 page sisterfucker but i did it.
randomstooge 1 year ago 12
@randomstooge mahindachudh! maybe you'll be faster on your next one. How about Sukhetu Mehta's MAXIMUM CITY?
Rufusdos 1 year ago
@Rufusdos lolll is that another book?
randomstooge 1 year ago
@randomstooge Yeah, non-fiction, heavier than Shantaram. It touches on some politics and finance, but always in an interesting and human way. The sections on dancing girls, the mafia, bollywood and housing are awesome. My main advice: never mind books, go there. I was there just a few days and I promise you, that city grabbed me by the heart.
Rufusdos 1 year ago
@randomstooge u took 6months to get through it ?? omg.. cus i took 8months ..lolz
ntmjps 1 month ago
I finished to read shantaram this morning! It's just a wonderful book....the best I have ever read!
wilair87 1 year ago 2
anyone know when the mountain shadow releases??
Stefanoitch 1 year ago
i loved d book i read it in 9 days cant wait for his second book
"the mountain shadow "
morcch 2 years ago
i realy love this book, saatc aur bimmat lin_baba
gladiussecus 2 years ago
I tyhink he is sexy. I accidently walked into that slum as a model- awful. I was stared at...and turn briskly walked out...I had to do everything NOT to run...I only looked up cause of the stink of shit!
Id love to met this guy.
immortalcelsius 2 years ago
Gregory David Roberts is a man with a great heart and a great mind.
In some years i think he will also be well known as a very interesting philosopher, his "cosmosophy theory" is brilliant.
JoeReznik 2 years ago
this Man rocks.......u r my Inspiration.
adilovesmusic 2 years ago
Great book!
bookznami 2 years ago
he looks just like he does, as it shows, on his book. love it! 150 pages to go..haha
thesuntheneonlight 2 years ago
What a book Mr.Roberts...!!
belly898 2 years ago
LOL
I didnt think that i looked liked that! But Shantaram is a great book, everybody should read it! Prebubaker is niiice :)
/Regards from Stockholm, Sweden
ultimatepsykos 2 years ago
i imagined him totally different too! -brown short hair for a start, but hey. and as leapingleprachauns said, it feels like somebody's missing now that i've finished the book (last night). very instructive on the indian culture side too.
marieno28 2 years ago
Just finished Shantaram, absolutely superb..
Where is #2...
bomberzak 2 years ago 2
truly a literary masterpiece. a must read. beautifully written.
fizaya1 2 years ago
My manager at Borders recommended this book as my next read. We both think it is the best book we ever read, and we read a lot of really good books! Bravo! Greg is an awesome speaker as well. Loved the all the videos, thanks for posting!
angelkat444 2 years ago
I purchased the book Shantaram. I'm not even a quarter of the way through it but I have enjoyed it so far and think that it will be a good read overall. I would like to go to India. I doubt there is any place like it in the world. I have friends taht have been, but I want to experience it. Seems amazingly hard and exciting at the same time.
AnthonyGF 2 years ago
It's a great book. I thought he would of said more about the scams that went on in India. It's a wonderfull place. So rewarding and frustrating at the same time. You can never get bored in India. The comments about it being the Italy of Asia, well i am dumb founded. India is so British! The red tape the politeness etc. Only Pondicherry have i found any sniff of Continental Europe.
ouzodave 2 years ago
hes a great writer,but its all fiction,he was in india,he met many who sparked characters,as i did when i was in india,he roamed free while on the run? congo to south africa?he never got sick in the diese ridden slums?why doesnt he answer questions on if its fiction in the conferences?he was never killed in afgahnastan?, 5-8% is true its claimed.Why is still listed as fiction?wake up people,why is leopalds mentined over 2600 times in the book?check sapna?never existed in media or police records
cleancutcelt 2 years ago
he mentions India about a million times in the book, perhaps he has a buisness deal with the indian government aswell and gets a cut of their tourism trade??
38211093 2 years ago
maybe thats because its SET in india
mhcphillips 2 years ago 3
i know that mate, that was a sarcastic reply to the 'cleancutcelt's allegation that the book is a fraud.
38211093 2 years ago
good point this made me really want to go there, and he is very biased about the peole of india, he keeps going on about how they can love and all that
dontevergas 2 years ago
This book is pure lies!!its is total fiction,a business deal between leopalds and him.He is a lier and a crook,its a great book but its all lies
cleancutcelt 2 years ago
Comment removed
robm2002 2 years ago
Any evidence to that claim?
robm2002 2 years ago
strong words, can you back this up?
38211093 2 years ago
I absolutley love this book!! they were giving free books away...it was the first one i picked up.
What an amazing writer!!!! and i was so happy that abdul was alive!!! i want to see this in a movie.
haflafa 2 years ago
they will ruin the film ,,,,,,,,,,,,, just like they did with papillion, i hope not doe
this is my favourite book also
anamcroi 2 years ago
im glad i read this book. It was amazing. I want to travel to India now
Stefanoitch 2 years ago
Im reading this book right now and its brilliant
johnwayne53 2 years ago
me too, adore prabaker!!
hanskibanski 2 years ago
One of the best books I've ever read..... Loved Prabaker, wish all humans were like him.
thor7789 2 years ago 69
Im more about the book then the movie.
Movie will create so much hype people who have not read the book they will picture Johnny Depp as Lin lol while reading,etc..
I actually pictured Gregory as Lin.
I like the part where Lin fights with the Iranis on the street for his friend and doesnt even ask him any questions after,
Another great part was when Lin is in need of drugs... and when he is high ,.. the detail is so real you feel high yourself. Feel the PAIN.
EVILAKUMA 2 years ago
Truly a masterpiece - There is beautiful sayings,quotes, in the book that are so ... real,so true, and so magical.
I am almost done reading it. I honestly do not want it to end.
I will read this book again , this time I will highlight all the great lines that Made life easy/hard for Lin.
I really wonder who the FULL cast will be in the film. Nana Patekar (ab tak) or even Manoj Bajpai (Shool) would make great characters in the film , even Irfan Khan.
- Saif Baig - Indo -Canadian .
EVILAKUMA 2 years ago
I love this book! Great life great story :)
Hantrahunter 2 years ago
One of quotes that I like from the book is that: "The Indians are the Italians of Asia". It is so true based on my experience living in Asian countries. It was also fascinating for me to discover that the Japanese are indeed the Germans of Asia. And believe me or not, the Indonesians are the French of Asia...both have exquisite cultural legacy, and strangely enough both always think that the whole world love them (while in fact, sometimes many countries get irritated by them....lol)
inimark5 2 years ago 22
hahah, nice observation
anticopyright 2 years ago
@inimark5 lol nice,,
goofdogg55 2 years ago
@inimark5 excelente observacion!!!!
r2d2fredy 1 year ago
i'm half way through the book, (wow) i wish i had waited till i'd finished to watch this..
MrApeboy33 2 years ago
there is something about the beauty and mystique of India that i really really really love ! Thank you Gregory!
naibastie 2 years ago
Gregory! you are a literary genious! I just love you!
tannydevil 2 years ago
the book's so fascinating and breathtaking. the author views things in such different ways than others. it made me think and laugh and cry at the same time. maybe people can't really understand unless they go through equally extraordinary experiences in their lives.
efs92b27 2 years ago 3
hey, i m an italian studyin in uk. my best buddy is an indian. and in some ways i can feel that we italians r more or less similar to the indians. i read in the book, that INDIA is the italy of asia and vice versa. i do agree wid it. we guys rejoice and celebrate on miniscule things. If u really wanna know the relation between indian and italian.....giv dem a glass of beer each.....and see how they enjoi. they wud seem like long lost brothers. As my indian mate told "BINDAAS" is wat we are.
rossoneri0007 2 years ago 3
rossoneri - I think that you couldn't be more true. I only realised this when I went to India a short time ago and realised the similarities there were between the two cultures. Although at the surface Italy and India are quite different, the little things such as; lining up at queues, driving etiquette to even media sensationalism were a few.
Good pickup!
davesnuff 2 years ago
I've got 200 pages to go in the book. It's brilliant. I can't believe all the things he went through
Flannerson 2 years ago
it doesn't look like he's cut his hair since his first imprisonment
Todoslosfritos 2 years ago
he really has a unbeilievable experiences, and I love the book a lot.
youchachen 2 years ago
sapna
Lamp1n 2 years ago
sapna indeed maan. the revelaationof SAPNA was one factor that got me engrossed int his masterpiece.
rossoneri0007 2 years ago
still another 100 pages to go - what shall I do when I have finished the book? I am totally mesmerised
mallenorwich 2 years ago
shantaram is a legend
jaydhruvi 2 years ago
Is there somewhere we one can get the full talk? This part one is clearly missing the start - or a lot of it.
seek83 2 years ago
a little torchlight shine for us all
dannnieeooo 3 years ago
Awesome book
FilmMaster12 3 years ago
the best book i've ever read
Lamp1n 3 years ago 3
Yes me too. It's amazing.
SamarkandChan 3 years ago
no way!! prabaker isn't real!! aaww i pretty much cried when i read that! oops
xoxsbnxox 3 years ago
@xoxsbnxox He is real. Karla isn't. But Gregory talks about Prabaker being real.
ItsameAlex 1 year ago
Do you believe this mans stories?
morbid2be 3 years ago
u have to read the book to realize that the way he has told his "stories", it can never be false. yes, its a work of fiction. but, i still believe most of it is true.
dunadan007 3 years ago
He writes it like it is an autobiography however it is pure fiction, almost fantasy. The characters are made up. The story is made up but inspired loosely on some events in his life. All fictions are partly inspired by the authors lives. In this fiction he plays an unwitting hero, a modest dangerous man with a sensitive underbelly. The authors observations of Indian culture are portrayed through his characters experiences in the book.
andyorbij2 2 years ago
If you thought some Indians were brave, selfless, and loyal for example, you may think up and event to better demonstrate it... like a man called Prabaker taking a beating just reserve his employer/friend a seat. His opinions on the underdogs are compatible with what many want to believe, from this comes the impossible assertion that Santaram is a Fiction but a real autobiography at the same time.
andyorbij2 2 years ago
Have you had any relationship with Indian people? I mean do u talk from ur life experience about indians?
premnidhi 2 years ago
Yes I have
forceofwill300 2 years ago
I am sorry that u had a bad experience. I have lived with Indians, and I have had some experience of their feelings and behaviour. I also have just seen slumdog millionaire.I dont know if u have seen this film, but there are some times that the main hero has to steal, to have something to eat. I cannot really describe this as a crime. Deep down , what I have learned from these people, is that their heart is far more open than westerners.
premnidhi 2 years ago
I did not have a bad experience. And I agree with you, all nations have both good and bad people however most of the Indians I have met have been good heart kind people.
forceofwill300 2 years ago
The same happened with a book called Chief Buffalo Long Lance for example, the author of which loved native american culture so much that he wrote a autobiography portraying himself as a great chieftain of heroic deed. Readers were so romanced by the Native American's way of life and ideals, they agreed with the views presented so much, that they were prepared to believe the author was the hero he portrayed, after all.. saying otherwise was to reject his views in Native American culture.
andyorbij2 2 years ago
You make prefect sense. I liked reading about India and its culture but I found his stories to be far fetched and cliche like something out of a Hollywood film. I dont think Jjonny Depp will play this film, not quirky enough and too cliche. Bruce Willis might be good.
forceofwill300 2 years ago
ralph fiennes would do well in this role
MJMonroe 3 years ago
johnny depp will do admirably i'm sure
DesQueJteVois 3 years ago 2
thats what i thought too... the character i pictured was pretty tough. i think ralph fiennes could pull that off better than johnny depp.
i hope whoever does it can pull off an Australian accent. but i doubt it.
9504212 3 years ago
Raplh Fiennes or Liam Neeson. Both would be great at the role... (and I can't help thinking....better than Johnny Depp)
Sentinel3007 2 years ago
From his website "Its a funny thing, how people react to the discovery that Karla and Prabaker, Abdullah and Khaderbhai, Didier and Khaled Ansari and all the others are created characters, and not real beings."
Who cares its a damn fine novel, and he is writing the sequel :) can't wait
meshugganeryeah 3 years ago
is he really writing the sequel?? what a bad word "sequel"...anyway i've got to admitt that that discovery sounded really bad to me but didn't spoil the magnificence of the book at all!
anveedi 3 years ago
Quando esce il film in Italia???qualcuno lo sa??
vascofans86 3 years ago
They should have everyone read this book in school once they hit highschool.
I am in the middle of the book. I have read that Prabhaker is a fake character , and other few like Dieider and even Karla. I will find this info and send to whoever needs. I am not 100% sure .
EVILAKUMA 3 years ago
I just want to thank you, Gregory D Roberts for this stunning creation, whether it's wholley auto-biographical, partly...or completely made up!! It's a book I vowed to treasure from the moment I read the first 50-100 pages. And if I can recommend it to everyone I know and atleast one of them says it's now their favourite book ever, I'd be happy as Larry! ;)
Cheers.
GazBag67 3 years ago
i love shantaram i really do and just like the other comments i didn't want the book to end either. I know the movie probably won't be just as good but i still really hope it comes out. Thank you so much for creating such a master piece!
annieapple90 3 years ago
Karla , Diety , and the Guide Prabhu are made up characters, Check on his website.
Few others are made up they dont EXIST>>>
Kinda ruins it.
When I read this book I get into the zone , I feel like I am in INDIA , I can picture everything, then I snap back to reality after.
I want this book not to end either.
He is making PArt 2 and 3.
EVILAKUMA 3 years ago
Prabhu is not a made up character...
babkamath 3 years ago
reading it now!
atfirst, i was deterred by the length... now,i wishit would neverend!
L8654 3 years ago
I just finished reading Shantaram a few days ago and I didn't want the book to end, so I took my time for once. I've breezed through larger books in less time. Wonderful book and I hope the film gets made soon!
moviemom4 3 years ago
I have such delusions of grandeur!!! Had never heard of the book, picked it because of its Indian looking cover...left it on my shelf for almost a year....Then I picked it up, and it blew me away!!!! Anyone who is read this book is truly lucky, and I was thrilled (but not surprised) that all of the commentors felt the same way. It is THE gift that I will give this holiday season. I will be forever gratedul to G.D. Roberts for writing such a masterpiece!!
allisonsracquet 3 years ago
I am reading it now and can't put it down....I spent 3 months in India ...I love it and hated it at same time.you are helping me understand the place.Thanks! SK san francisco
irenak 3 years ago 2
i love that book. congrats from Poland
znawczynii 3 years ago
Never before have i taken so to to finish a book. I think its because I am devouring every word, smell and sensation and I am taking the time to consume and understand and feel the most amazing things that this author has experienced. His life is full of excitement and happiness, grief, hardship and despair. Truly the best written book I have ever read.
fucnhel 3 years ago 4
Your comment has mirrored my own intended. I have not yet finished this amazing beautiful masterpiece, purely because as you stated, I am savouring every moment!!! I have always rushed through books... not so this time. I never want to complete this powerful story, it is my life at the moment and what will I do when its over?!! May sound weird but Im captivated. What characters.. what a country.. WHAT A MAN. Nuff said.
janey1869 3 years ago
ditto! I just finished it this weekend, and I wandered around the next few days feeling like I was missing something... Fantastic piece of writing. I don't mind that the characters are not all real. The insights and feelings behind the writing obviously are.
leapingleprachauns 2 years ago
This guy is absolutely amazing!! Not only is this guy a great writer. He also acts soooo well! I love his imitations! And his occasional snippets of hindi! =)
kruts11 3 years ago 2
Daniel Craig, and no one else.
Cantabilissima 3 years ago
Great book read it in 2 weeks whole 1000 pages
jonnys good but id go for brad Pitt if i had a choice
KEV1MAC 3 years ago
yea..i thought of brad pitt too. the role suits him better but then i like johnny depp more so yay!
boonammo 3 years ago
Maybe a little older, but I would prefer Viggo Mortensen as David...
gudaguda01 3 years ago
Lately I'm thinking it should be Russel Crow, he's Australian, pretty close to New Zealand. Anyway, I can't wait to see the movie whoever it is.
roseagain2 3 years ago
Remember the average American thinks new Zealand
is in Africa, and just like ALL UFO'S come to the states more than likely by the time Hollywood is finished with it he will of got out of Alcatraz and the movie set in Mexico! but seriously i cant wait either (fingers crossed )
KEV1MAC 3 years ago
I think Russel Crowe would be better than Depp; GDR is huge and Depp is a mouse, albeit an attractive one : )
KEV1MAC - I finished it in 4 days!
matted87 3 years ago 2
Truly said... But depp is much of a talented actor who dissolves into the role. Jus hope tat dis movie is wel made keepin in mind its popularity of the book....!
mirsuhailahmed 3 years ago
I'd go for Liam Neeson for the role!
Sentinel3007 2 years ago
best book ever
beatle1223 3 years ago 2
Best book i've ever read. And as for everyone saying that Depp is a bad choice for the role of Lin, Johonny Depp is arguably the best actor alive right now, and is the only actor who would do the role any justice.
thecobra89 3 years ago 5
yer he's a great actor but i mean theres no similarity between Gregory and johnny in terms of looks and when i read the book i didn't imagine him to look like johnny depp when i read the book.
motionpirates 3 years ago
yer he's a great actor but i mean theres no similarity between Gregory and johnny in terms of looks and when i read the book i didn't imagine him to look like johnny depp when i read the book.
motionpirates 3 years ago
looks dont' mean a whole hell of a lot when transcribing the written word on to the big screen quite honestly. Brad Pitt is a great actor, and he's shown himself more than willing to dirty himself up to the point where he's hardly recognizable, but no matter what he does to himself, he's still one of the most beautiful men alive while much of Lin's character comes from the place of being an ugly man. neither Gregory David Roberts nor Depp are ugly at all but Depp can play ugly better than brad
BuntCakeHunter 3 years ago
Think about brad Pitt stoned in true romance, not many actors can pull off being a stoner- Pitt is one! and seeing as there shall be a lot of that in it i think brad would be a better choice,
KEV1MAC 3 years ago
Agree one of the best books ive ever read...
A true inspiration!!
sriwilai 3 years ago
DITTO!!!! Havent finished yet.... totally obsessed.... WHAT A MAN!!! Best book Ive EVER read.
janey1869 3 years ago
johnny depp= linbaba -dontthink soo
dbags007 3 years ago
I'm glad so many people think this book is so amazing. I also genuinely think this is the best book I've ever read... as do EVERYBODY I've leant it too. I don't see how Jonny Depp will suit the character - unjustly 'Hollywoodized'. Shame.
tombeec 3 years ago
I just love this guy. His book is terrific. And the movie will have Johnnie Depp! It can't get better.
mersenne5 3 years ago
The best book i have ever read in my life.
Really great experience to read SHANTARAM.
Linbaba pl keep on writing ,we love to read your heart catching & poetic language.
Gives the feel that book should never end, it should keep going on......Endless.
aanaik76 4 years ago
the best book i've ever read, too
and he is an amazing guy
i really admire him...
but i think johnny depp is perfectly able to play him
he's the best actor of his generation, maybe he doesn't look like gregory but i thing that the beauty is not really important
daiu1ro 4 years ago
best book i've ever read!!
conyvg 4 years ago 2
Poverty is a great equaliser.
bachkerahna 4 years ago 2
was bummed to find out that ALL characters of shantaram are fictitious, but all the same i acknowledge that its a great novel.
dnikhilrao 4 years ago
1st of all thanks for the video. i am not a reader but when i started with shantaram i did not want it to ever end. i am eagerly waiting for the sequels and the movie. greg you are great. thanks for sharing it. its a shame i havent been to those slums despite staying in india.
deepaknanhu 4 years ago
Thanks Linbaba! Hope you never stop writing.
preethashaw 4 years ago 2
amazing book im almost done with it i cant stop reading no matter how much work i have to do during the day i read
jacksonguitarist2002 4 years ago 2
I'm reading it at the moment. Half way through it now and can't put it down. As good, if not better than pappilion.
Hope the movies' good!
macco66 4 years ago 2
I read his 936 page book in 3 days. Couldn't put it down and I rate it as one of best books I've ever read. His rough stories are graced with beautiful prose and hits you in the heart.
s4kids 4 years ago 2
One of the best books I have read in recent years. Truly awesome and thought provoking by turns.
vinylman4533 4 years ago 3
shantaram is one of the most brilliant books i have ever read. gregory david roberts is an amazing writer, the book is so exciting, sad, beautiful and real. the way he weaves his words is like no other author i have experienced. i could hardly believe it wasnt just fiction, but his life story! he seems like such a cool guy, hes got to be, johnny depp is going to play him in the movie ;)
anuveda 4 years ago 6
johnny depp is in everything... and he's to good looking to play Gregory David Roberts... They should of got someone else.. Johnny has definantly got the talent but there's just so much Johnny you can take.
HeronimusBlueMovies 4 years ago
also, Depp isn't big enough to play him
HeronimusBlueMovies 4 years ago
I agree. Johnny Depp is an amazing actor but i dont think this role suits him. Most amazing book i´ve ever read
goodfellas1983 3 years ago
totally agree
conyvg 3 years ago