Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
Shantaram
- Shantaram, Book 1
- Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
- Length: 43 hrs
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Shantaram
Buy Now for £16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
In a spectacular 43 hours of storytelling, Gregory David Roberts and narrator Humphrey Bower take listeners on a rollercoaster of a journey through the streets and slums of India. Vivid and lyrical, some have gone so far as to call Shantaram a literary masterpiece.
A novel of high adventure, great storytelling and moral purpose, based on an extraordinary true story of eight years in the Bombay underworld.
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...
Critic reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about Shantaram
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- PPB
- 31-10-16
Must read..
I was basically hooked into this book.. Can't believe I waited so long.. must read..learnt so many things that I did not know about India..
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- P.W.Ainsworth
- 21-10-16
Shantaram
Loved use of language especially when describing the smallest of facial expressions. The crowd scenes and activities of India come alive. Interesting historical references. This book is brought alive by the performance which is beyond words. The narration was outstanding
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Miss H Stead
- 26-03-15
Incredible
The most amazing, incredible book I've ever listened too, I didn't want the book to end. Fab book must read
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mark Roberts
- 01-12-15
A very rich and compelling read
Where does Shantaram rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is a long book but is well balanced between the parts. If you like descriptive stories which are honest and to a greater or lesser extent true then this is a very good choice.
What did you like best about this story?
This is a book told through the individual stories of the intertwining characters. The characters are very vivid and develop well as the story progresses, It is one of the few stories I have read where the story is there but the whole of the story and all of the levels are not fully explained until the final part. The way the story unravels and develops is truly intriguing.
Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances? How does this one compare?
I haven't listened to any other performances but on the strength of this one I would definitely consider listening to more.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There are several key moments in this book. I will not give any plot points or spoilers but there are three or four moments that clearly stand out when I think about this book.
Any additional comments?
I won't lie and say this is an easy listen in parts but it is well worth the effort.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tony
- 14-08-17
A glorious tender love story a wonderful adventure
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
With great pleasure
What did you like best about this story?
The celebration of human endeavour and hope in a city that is the best and worst of who we are.
Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances? How does this one compare?
no
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
all within one week - total immersion a real joy
Any additional comments?
A tremendous feat of writing and one that will resonated with me for many years
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Gunn
- 01-08-21
a book to reflect on long after you have finished.
i really enjoyed reading this on audible, and will reflect on it for some time. it gave me insight into the lives and culture of Indians in bombay. a fascinating read and life changing for me.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- sj irving
- 17-03-19
fantastic tale with poetic moments
fantastic tale with poetic moments - a long read but you won't want it to end
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 30-03-21
Fantastic
Had me enthralled in the first five minutes. Superbly written and performed, first class on all fronts.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 12-01-21
Beautifully narrated, fantastic story
Some of the best narration I've ever heard, capturing not just a vast multitude of accents and languages, but powerful emotions too.
As good as the book, if not even better. 43 hours just wasn't long enough!
Suppose I need to hear The Mountain Shadow now...
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ben Howells
- 11-01-21
An incredible story
A slow burn, but my god is it worth it. Perspective altering, eye opening. amazing.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!