A review of the book "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts. Description, plot and features of the work

In 2010, Gregor David Roberts's book Shantaram was translated into Russian. Readers' comments vary: from sublime to sharply negative. What is the opinion of critics about the work of the Australian author? What can attract in this novel, and what, on the contrary, cause an unpleasant impression? The review of the book "Shantars" is the subject of this article.

A few words about the author

One journalist and traveler, leaving a comment about the book Shantaram, expressed the opinion that Roberts' work gained popularity in Russia due to the theme of spiritual development. After all, it was she who raised in her novels the great Russian classics. There are several other reasons why the response to the book "Shantars" is written in our country in most cases laudatory. But about this later. Before, it is worth saying a few words about the writer, whose biography formed the basis of the novel.

A certain resident of a distant hot Australia after a divorce from his wife and parting with his beloved daughter knew the hardships of loneliness. To get rid of melancholy, he decided with the help of illegal drugs. As a result, he finally lost the opportunity to regain family happiness, but found a heroin addiction. This Australian was none other than Roberts, the author of the sensational novel Shantaram.

The book (reviews, description)

The plot of the work is inextricably linked with the biography of the author. In order to provide themselves with prohibited drugs, Robert began to rob lending organizations, construction companies and shops. He committed his crimes in a peculiar way: he did not shout, did not threaten and did not use physical violence. Robert only took out a toy gun and in an exceptionally polite manner expressed his demands. But Roberts was given a very long time: nineteen years of imprisonment. From prison, the author of Shantarama fled to India. In this original fairy-tale country, events took place that formed the basis of the book.

One million copies - such is the circulation of the novel Shantaram. Reviews about the book of famous people have always played an important role in the acquisition of the work. On the cover of Roberts' novel, you can see the opinion of Jonathan Carroll. The American science fiction writer left a comment about the book Shantaram, in which he expressed the opinion that the work of this can not not like. According to him, not interested in "Shantars" can only be a heartless person. Such a categorical point of view has inspired readers around the world. Shantaram has become extremely popular in our country.

Russia and Indian adventures

Returning to the question of how the novel about the Australian adventurer was perceived by Russian-speaking readers, several reasons for why Shantaram is so well read in our country should be cited.

The book, critics' reviews about which are rather contradictory, became popular in Russia at a time when it was fashionable to go to India for spiritual development. Shantaram has become an ideal travel guide for travelers. In the novel there are events of thirty years ago. But little has changed since the escaped prisoner named Roberts arrived in Bombay. The work of this author is primarily a book about India. "Shantaram", reviews of which are not always flattering, many readers praise precisely because this country in it is depicted in full variety. So no author has yet written about India.

About how the novel was born

Both Roberts and his famous character have been imprisoned more than once. Once the author of the book, which is discussed in this article, was in solitary confinement. In this situation, people often go insane. Roberts' neighbor in the cell, for example, used to make attacks on the jailers every time the door to his gloomy abode opened. And he decided to help him. Every evening, after the lights out, Roberts taught a neighbor a meditation. Soon other prisoners joined in. This event did not require physical or visual contact. It was enough to hear each other.

A month later Roberts called to him the so-called looking. Not knowing about what he teaches other prisoners, he asked him not to stop the evening classes. After all, after the practice of meditation was started in the prison, there was not a single murder or attack. Robert complied with the request, but in return asked for a pen and paper. He had to spend another fifteen years behind bars.

The criminal world of Bombay

The moral image of the hero causes some readers to have negative emotions. In addition to Shantaram, the book contains many characters who trade in drugs, weapons or forged documents. The author of the famous book asserts in an interview that his characters have nothing in common with small bandits. These are members of the mafia - a community in which their laws and regulations operate. However, not every reader is sympathetic to the character who continuously uses drugs and discusses philosophical topics. And this is mainly what the heroes of Roberts are doing.

Is it worth reading?

The view that Shantaram is the greatest novel of the XXI century is somewhat exaggerated. At least, so many Russian critics believe. But it is worth considering that the author of this book is not a writer at all. He spent much of his life in prison, suffered from drug addiction, sold weapons and fought in Afghanistan. In a word, "I did not finish university". However, even readers who have not been enthusiastic about the book of a former prisoner are sometimes recommended to read this essay. But to perceive "Shantars", perhaps, should not be as an artistic work - rather as an autobiography of a man with an uncommon fate. Roberts was in the Bombay slums, he was placed in a camp for lepers, among his friends were Afghan mujahideen. Hardly there is in the literary world a person with such a rich biography.

Artistic features

What caused the negative feedback about Roberts's book? The plot is extremely stretched. There are many characters in it, whose role is not defined. The love line, according to readers, also does not stand up to any criticism. Perhaps, from Shantaram would come a brilliant novel. But only if it is cut at least twice.

Mainly in the book of Roberts is India. The author describes this amazing country, its traditions, customs. Arriving in Bombay, the hero after a few days realizes that it's impossible to live in this city. We need to become a part of it, learn to live by its laws. The book depicts a slum adjacent to rich areas. The heroes of Roberts are like people who are getting hard on their bread with hard, exhausting work, as well as mafia figures.

The third part of the novel is devoted to the hero's stay in Afghanistan. These chapters hardly provoke interest even among fans of Shantaram. After all, the character of this book, as well as its creator, fights on the side of the Mujahideen, which can not cause the Russian-speaking reader to be touched.

Shadow of the mountain

In 2015, the continuation of the novel about the adventures of Shantaram was published. As already mentioned, the criminal path of Roberts is extremely rich. He smuggled gold and passports, transported drugs to Europe. But in the end I decided to break with the mafia. However, Roberts was arrested and spent several years in a German prison. About these and other events the book "Shantaram-2".

Reviews of the book "Shadow of the Mountain"

According to readers, this work somewhat loses "Shantarama". The hero is the same, but he is no longer a member of the mafia, but a novice writer. In the novel "Shadow of the Mountain" there are not many episodes that tell about the customs of the criminal world. However, it does not have bright colors and enthusiasm for India, thanks to which Roberts' first novel was so fond of readers.

Despite the difference in opinion on the work of Gregory David Roberts, his book is worth reading. Perhaps these novels can not be called great literary creations, and their author is a living classic. But they are interesting from the cognitive point of view. And thanks to an unusual story, the novel Shantaram aroused the interest of filmmakers. The film will be released in 2017.