Shantaram revisit Discussion pt #27, Wrapping up - Is there anything else?

I'd like to thank you all for really making this Shantaram revisit the wonderful and thought provolking discussion that it's been! Without you all, there would be no JDR discussions!

Is there anything else from the book that you would like to discuss?

There are so MANY things!!!

I'm at a point in the book right now, where he's going to Prabu's hometown, and being touched on the shoulder, many times in one segment. I think the train trip really was his transition , or 'stepping down off the sidewalk'.
I love to hear about Lin's transitions. Or a list of transformations. Which scene is about what. It does seem that each scene has a purpose.

Are there any symbolisms in the story?
Do the symbols at the beginning of the chapters mean anything?
(I was thinking they were Caste Tattoos! Probably not. But they're each different.)

How many of the Charachters are real people? Any?
I was suprised to hear at a JDR interview with Lin, that Prabu was based on a helper who wasn't 'nice'. Are there any other similarities/differences with real people? Is Karla a real person? Or complete fiction?

I've really enjoyed this book reading, and the contemplating that has gone with it. There's alot to be said for the freedom to openly contemplate! I've learned so much, and look forward to finishing the book with this discussion in mind. Thanks Karen.

I'm curious about Lisa Carter. Why is she in the picture? What does she bring to Lin's character development? Why can't he seem to love her? Who would make a good Lisa Carter in the film?

I really enjoyed participating in this discussion with all of you and I'm very grateful to JDR for introducing me to this book! Everyone's insights were great and I loved seeing all the pictures!
I'm usually not one for re-reading books no matter how much I like them, but before the movie comes out, I can see me pulling this out again.

I guess we pretty much covered everything thanks to Karen's wonderful choice of questions, but I do have one question myself. Did I read correctly that a Shantaram 2 is in the works?

What's your favorite 2 phrases or quotes in the book ?

Gee I didn't give the symbols at the beginning of each chapter any attention at all...anyone else??


When I asked about the people in the book being "real" he was pretty insistent that they were all fictitious. He was very proud that he had made these amazing characters up. There was the confusion about the Prabu based character, but again, he was very clear to me about the characters. So I guess it's safe to say that Karla was fictitious too.

I glad that you enjoyed the discussion! I love being able to visit about thoughts and ideas when reading a book. I think it helps us see things through other sets of eyes and then be able to see and understand different points of view!

Yes, that is what Greg told me! But he also has many other projects in the works and I think S2 could be quite a way off. Darn...

That's a good question about Lisa...why was she there???

Here are two of my favorites:

"News tells us what people did. Gossip tells us how much they enjoyed it."

"Happiness is a myth. It was invented to make us buy things."

oh, and one more:

"I don't know what frightens me more, the power that crushes us or our endless ability to endure it."

Yikes!

I don't know if this is the right place or not so please move it if you need to. Or delete it. I wanted to say to Karen and the others for re-visiting Shantaram. I am shy about posting my opinions. I wish I was more brave. I have always loved books and my DH and I have a house full of them. This place has introduced so many new books to me - books that I never would have known about.

What is next?

I am still trying to figure this one out!! Good question....

Many thanks Heidigrant40. I hope you will join in the discussions one day.


Good question...I am looking at a couple of books now...as soon as I know, LOL....it'll be right here.

I had to think about this one because I have a few favorites but the one that really sticks out for me is, 'luck happens when fate gets tired of waiting'.

It's interesting that GDR doesn't write what kind of luck, good or bad, that might intervene.

I like all the ones that have been shared. I have so many "dog-eared"pages in this book for quotes and passages that have made me stop and think. For some reason, this passage has stuck with me:

"... But the soul has no culture. The soul has no nations. The soul has no colour or accent or way of life. The soul is forever. The soul is one. And when the heart has its moment of truth and sorrow, the soul can't be stilled."

and:

"...that suffering, of every kind, is always a matter of what we've lost. When we're young, we think that suffering is something that's done to us. When we get older---when the steel door slams shut, in one way or another----we know that real suffering is measured by what's taken away from us."

and:

"We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive."

Here's one that always "gets me"


"...some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you."