Black Bombay

For Shantaram is beyond dispute one of the best representations of Bombay, or India in the 80s of the last century. There's life in the slums, crime, corruption, disease and brutality are described in great detail (944 pages).

The book is based more or less on the eventful life of the author. As he himself says that he has not anything he describes experiencing, but also invented parts of the story freely. In places, the story is quite long-winded, it is discussed seitenlang about the meaning of life, meaning of suffering, forgiveness, love, hate, etc.. Even trivial conversations and encounters the protagonist in part be reproduced verbatim. This meant that I sometimes pages only skimmed - to the actual story went on again.

What has bothered me but rather, is the way in which the author, (about 19 years convicted bank robber, ex-junkie) represents itself. His crimes he justifies his failed relationship and its resulting heroin addiction. After escaping from prison (at the beginning of the book), he turns into a white knight and saint in one. To him viciously torturing, Indian jailers "forgives" it. He is apparently the "guteste gooder" of all Bombay (as disgusting as this sounds, it reads at times unfortunately). He helps everyone - all the time, without hesitation regardless of themselves and without. The fact that he but continued criminal activities (drug trafficking, mafia, etc.) pursues, is for him quite "normal" apparently. This kind of self-expression / -inszenierung time begins to annoy.

In the unsympathetic main character is at the same time the biggest drawback of the book, in addition to the partially lengthy account of events. Tip: It pays to read the "real" biography of the author on the net.

Should also be noted that in my copy about 10-15 pages illegible (to Hell; print error) were.