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Shantaram


Synopsis


A novel of high adventure, great storytelling and moral purpose, based on an extraordinary true story of eight years in the Bombay underworld



'A literary masterpiece... at once erudite and intimate, reflective and funny... it has the grit and pace of a thriller' Daily Telegraph
'A publishing phenomenon' Sunday Times
'A gigantic, jaw-dropping, grittily authentic saga' Daily Mail

'In the early 80s, Gregory David Roberts, an armed robber and heroin addict, escaped from an Australian prison to India, where he lived in a Bombay slum. There, he established a free health clinic and also joined the mafia, working as a money launderer, forger and street soldier. He found time to learn Hindi and Marathi, fall in love, and spend time being worked over in an Indian jail. Then, in case anyone thought he was slacking, he acted in Bollywood and fought with the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan... Amazingly, Roberts wrote Shantaram three times after prison guards trashed the first two versions. It's a profound tribute to his willpower... At once a high-kicking, eye-gouging adventure, a love saga and a savage yet tenderly lyrical fugitive vision.' Time Out

Summary

Chapter 1: Lost Boy

* Summary: The protagonist, Lin, wakes up in a Bombay hospital with amnesia after a violent escape from an Australian prison. He befriends a young Indian boy named Prabaker and the two wander the city, trying to piece together Lin's past.
* Example: Lin and Prabaker sleep under a bridge and share a meal of stolen bread and mangoes.

Chapter 2: The Daughters of Heaven

* Summary: Lin meets Karla, an enigmatic Swiss woman who introduces him to the world of drug trafficking. He becomes involved with a criminal family led by Madame Zhou, a powerful and ruthless matriarch.
* Example: Lin witnesses Madame Zhou's brutal methods of dealing with her enemies, including having a man's fingers cut off.

Chapter 3: The Untouchable

* Summary: Lin's memory slowly returns, revealing his turbulent past as a doctor and drug addict in Australia. He befriends a charismatic Indian gangster named Khader Khan, who becomes his mentor and protector.
* Example: Khader Khan saves Lin from a police raid, showcasing his influence and power in the city.

Chapter 4: The Brotherhood of the Tiger

* Summary: Lin joins a group of Afghan mujahideen who are fighting against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. He experiences the horrors of war and the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers.
* Example: Lin participates in a night raid on a Soviet base, witnessing the brutality and sacrifices involved in the conflict.

Chapter 5: The Shadowlands

* Summary: Lin returns to Bombay and becomes increasingly involved in the criminal underworld. He falls in love with Kavita, a beautiful and intelligent Indian woman.
* Example: Lin and Kavita share a romantic moment in a secluded garden, amidst the chaos and danger of the city.

Chapter 6: The City of Djinns

* Summary: Lin grapples with his own inner demons and the consequences of his actions. He witnesses the harsh realities of poverty, corruption, and the brutality of the police.
* Example: Lin witnesses a police raid on a slum, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians.

Chapter 7: The White Tiger

* Summary: Lin's past catches up with him, and he must confront the Australian authorities who are pursuing him. He also faces the consequences of his involvement with Madame Zhou's criminal empire.
* Example: Lin is arrested and interrogated by Australian police, who threaten to extradite him back to Australia to face justice.

Chapter 8: The Lost City

* Summary: Lin escapes a prison uprising and flees into the wilderness of India. He encounters spiritual enlightenment and finds a new path for himself.
* Example: Lin meets a wise old sage who teaches him the importance of forgiveness and acceptance.

Chapter 9: The Return of the Snake

* Summary: Lin returns to Bombay and faces his past mistakes. He helps Khader Khan defeat a rival gangster and finds a new sense of purpose in life.
* Example: Lin uses his medical skills to treat the injured during a gunfight between Khader Khan's and his rival's gang.

Chapter 10: The Heart of the City

* Summary: Lin finds peace and fulfillment in his life in Bombay. He becomes a respected doctor and works to improve the lives of the city's poor.
* Example: Lin opens a free clinic in a slum, providing medical care to those who cannot afford it.