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Jennifer's Reviews > Shantaram
Shantaram
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This is possibly the best book I've ever read. It was given to me by a friend of mine who loved it, and said that before she read it she had no desire to go to India, but after having read it she couldn't wait to go.
This book is over 900 pages, so I found it a little challenging to start b/c I didn't want to carry it around with me to read on the bus (too bulky) and I was so tired each night that I couldn't read more than a page or two. But I finally got a chance to read a small chunk of it in one sitting and that was it for me. I loved it and couldn't put it down.
There are a few notable things about this book. One is that it's billed as a novel but I'm 90% certain that these things all actually happened to the author. I think he wrote it as a novel so he could change some names and protect the innocent (or guilty). Another amazing thing is how well it's written. This guy isn't really a trained writer, and I think he has a natural ability which is very rare. I am exceedingly critical of bad writing styles, and not once did anything in this book irritate me. Perhaps because he is such a great writer, all of the characters are well developed and you find yourself wanting to know what happens with each of them--and there are a lot. I honestly couldn't name all the characters he describes in detail--more than probably any other book I've read. But at no point did I find myself thinking I couldn't keep track of who was who (which I often do), and I really cared about each of these people personally.
The story itself is phenomenal, and I have been giving this book to everyone I know. Read it. It's amazing and it will be one of the best books you've ever read.
This book is over 900 pages, so I found it a little challenging to start b/c I didn't want to carry it around with me to read on the bus (too bulky) and I was so tired each night that I couldn't read more than a page or two. But I finally got a chance to read a small chunk of it in one sitting and that was it for me. I loved it and couldn't put it down.
There are a few notable things about this book. One is that it's billed as a novel but I'm 90% certain that these things all actually happened to the author. I think he wrote it as a novel so he could change some names and protect the innocent (or guilty). Another amazing thing is how well it's written. This guy isn't really a trained writer, and I think he has a natural ability which is very rare. I am exceedingly critical of bad writing styles, and not once did anything in this book irritate me. Perhaps because he is such a great writer, all of the characters are well developed and you find yourself wanting to know what happens with each of them--and there are a lot. I honestly couldn't name all the characters he describes in detail--more than probably any other book I've read. But at no point did I find myself thinking I couldn't keep track of who was who (which I often do), and I really cared about each of these people personally.
The story itself is phenomenal, and I have been giving this book to everyone I know. Read it. It's amazing and it will be one of the best books you've ever read.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 2007
–
Finished Reading
June 14, 2008
– Shelved
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Diane
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May 26, 2011 12:00PM
Excellent review! Let me tell you that I've owned this book for about two years now, as it was highly recommended to me when it first came out. I even managed to pick up a signed first edition from one of my local booksellers. Not sure why I have not read it yet, I'll blame it on the size like you said, as putting me off a bit. After your review, I feel like picking it up as soon as I get home!
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You girls need an ereader .... no book to big to carry on the bus then. Great review, thanks for sharing I just came across this book today and looks amazing.
The size! Yes, same happened with me; I bought it in 2008 and it took me until 2010 to actually read it and have read it again and plan to again next year! Love this book. To others who fear it's size, it's gonna be one of those books you lose sleep over and can't put down. Don't worry! If you don't absolutely hate it, then it won't drag.
Great review! My feelings exactly !
It was the same for me, I was pecking at the pages, but once I dove into a larger chunk, i read it really quickly. It seemed to me, also, to be a confession of things the author has done.
Same here. I had it for almost 3 yrs. then ended up listening to it on Audible. Great narrator, though I can't say I loved the book. The narrator made it worthwhile!
Absolutely loved this book! When I found out it was based on a true story it was even more impressive.
This is my favorite book
I'm reading it for the second time now because if someone asked me something about books I always sayed they should read this one. Now i'm a few 100 pages in the book and know why I recomend it. Any recomendations of similar good books for me, someone
This is also my favorite book and I’m rereading it so that I can go right into the sequel. I love his writing style and I don’t know how he makes so many sentences sound so flowery and descriptive….a true artist. I love how he makes the country and its people come to life. It made me rewatch Slumdog Millionaire and I’m craving Indian food and chai. I feel like this book has everything!!…romance, love, intrigue, mystery, philosophy, geography, history, culture….it evokes so many emotions in me while reading. The pages just turn for me and make the 900 pages fly by. I rarely reread books, especially 900 page ones, but I’m loving it as much or more the second time. I want to see the apple series that is based on the book. It could never be as good, but it would be interesting no less.
