SHANTARAM

While SHANTARAM is a novel, it echoes the true story of author Gregory David Roberts, who hid in Bombay after escaping from an Australian prison. The story of Lin, who opens a clinic in the slums and becomes involved with the Bombay mafia while building friendships and alliances, is mesmerizing, especially with the narration of Humphrey Bower. Bower weaves a world of interesting characters, both Indian and expatriates, and makes even the exaggerated moments believable. He keeps pace beautifully with Roberts's writing style, which shifts continually from the descriptive and philosophical to the tragic to the broadly comic. Bower makes this unique milieu into one that's fascinating and compelling. J.A.S. 2007 Audies Award Finalist, AudioFile Best Audiobook of 2007 © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 07]