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Shantaram Read-a-long this summer


This summer I am going to do a read-a-long of Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts with Aths from Reading on a Rainy Day. Shantaram has been recommended to both of us by a couple of people, but it is really long (933 pages) so Aths and I decided that summer would be a good time to read it and that we'd give one another support.

We plan to read about 100 pages a week starting on June 1 and ending mid-August. We'll post a reading schedule just before we begin.

If you'd like to join us, let me know in the comments and include your email
so we can keep you posted on the schedule.

About the author: Gregory David Roberts was born in Melbourne, Australia. Sentenced to nineteen years in prison for a series of armed robberies, he escaped and spent ten of his fugitive years in Bombay--where he established a free medical clinic for slum-dwellers, and worked as a counterfeiter, smuggler, gunrunner, and street soldier for a branch of the Bombay mafia. Recaptured, he served out his sentence, and established a successful multimedia company upon his release. Roberts in now a full-time writer and lives in Bombay.

Summary of the book: My copy of the book doesn't have a summary since it's paperback and the reviews I've read don't give a good precise summary. Suffice it to say the book is based on the author's life (see above) and Johnny Depp has bought the film rights. 

12 comments

JoV said...

Helen,
I read this in 2009 but I'll follow your read-along provide some of my thoughts if I can.

I have a copy at home, so it will be easy to follow through. I have the blue red Abacus edition. Good luck with it!

Cathy said...

I am in. I have been wanting to join a read athon. this books looks really interesting. My e-mail address is: cathy.crane11@yahoo.com. I look forward to the schedule.

Cathy

Helen's Book Blog said...

JoV--I am so glad you are going to follow along and contribute! Great to have you join us

Cathy--Awesome! I'll be sure to email the schedule to you before we begin. The edition won't matter since we'll do the reading by chapters

Bonnie Jacobs said...

I would really like to do a readalong with you, but I tried this book and couldn't get into it. I took it off the shelf, when I saw you were doing this, and my bookmark is still there between pages 48 and 49. If you like it, I may try again.

Col (Col Reads) said...

This sounds so interesting, Helen. I'm trying to decide if I can add it in, because I know it would be fun!

Helen's Book Blog said...

Bonnie--only page 48 of over 900... that's overwhelming! At least you can read the posts about it and see if it inspires you (or maybe we won't) :-)

Col--Hope you can join us!

Unknown said...

Ooohh. I'm tempted! My friend told me it was good and so I bought a copy, but I haven't got around to reading it yet. I'll try to join you :-)

Helen's Book Blog said...

Jackie--I hope you join us... you already own the book!

Athira said...

Yay! So glad to have so many more join us!

Helen's Book Blog said...

Aths--I know, I am excited some people are joining us!

KarenSi said...

I would love to join in, thank you.

Helen's Book Blog said...

Karen--I am so glad you're joining us!