Apart from the gripping story, its the philosophy that amazed me. The way Gregory has gone deep into the heart, mind and soul of every person whom he’s met in his amazing journey demonstrates his ability to gauge people and he even admits the mistakes he’s done in this process… The candid account of his life in India and the people he’s lived and worked with, is soul wrenching! All you have to do is read the first few pages and then the book will itself take you on a wonderful and thrilling journey. This is also one of the few books that has great humor along with the seriousness… This book has got pace. I highly recommend this book and suggest people to read this before the movie is made.

Just read the first page and you will know it’s going to be a good book. It’s beautifully written with meaningful phrases in italics scattered throughout the story. Phrases and sayings that you relate to and that make you think. The author is very observant and very detailed in descriptions you can really feel and taste the setting. And there’s humour in it too. Real funny stuff you will laugh out loud. I really liked this book and I’m so glad I read it and I can’t wait for the movie in 2008. Johnny Depp bought the rights and he is going to play Linbaba. Interesting!

I am in the middle of consuming this. However, a little story. I actually bought this whilst I was in Mumbai from a book seller off the street. I had been dying to read this but wasn’t able to get it before I left London, so I was delighted to grab it whilst I was in the city the story (so far at least!) is based in.

Getting deep into it, as it is a fab read, I felt myself agreeing to everything that he was seeing! Got to the chapter where he and Prabu get of the train to visit the village only to find another chapter printed there! I checked the rest of the book for the missing 20 pages but alas no – i’d been ripped off! It didn’t really matter though as I got straight back into it!

Also another note – my sister and I visited cafe Leopolds after reading that it was one of his haunts. All changed, the floor is super ordinary and that applies to the rest of the place too :-( But amusingly we did spot about 3 different tourists who were reading Shantaram in the cafe!

WOW is the word .. i never thought it would take a non indian , who was once a man on the run , a crackhead , a mafia member … to make me realize how beutiful and unique our culture is !!! How we just take the things that are our own for granted and dont value them enough .. Love it .. Cant wait for the movie to come out ..

He isn’t a great writer, and a bit too sentimental for my comfort, but what a story! This is an adventure story beyond compare. Saw him on TV the other day and totally loved him.

I thought I was going to have to take a week off from work to read this. Too heavy for my commute reading :( However, it’s so well written and so damn compelling, I am indeed lugging it around. Highly recommend it to all!!

UPDATE: Had to take a week off because there weren’t enough pages left to keep me occupied while travelling. Back now and polishing it off. I hated having to leave it behind! It’s such an amazing book - treasured even more because it’s so insightful and full of surprises. I didn’t expect to like it anywhere as much as I have done! I can’t find enough words to convey how you must all DEFINITELY READ THIS (so I’m using All Caps ;)! It’s now circulating amidst my family members who have all complained about the size/weight but read it nonetheless. It’s not just the story, you see - which in itself is totally worth of Hollywood/Bollywood—but it’s his insights, it’s his precision, it’s his humanity, his philosophy, his learning, his deftness … just read it.