Yes, great image!

oh yes, the head waggling, that cracked me up. But it seems to be quite a significant thing - what did me though was the thought of all those mafia bosses sitting around the table waggling their heads in agreement - a peaceful action. LMAO!

The bit I loved most (and maybe this was because I was actually in India so it really made sense) was the bit about the head-wobbling. I could see exactly what he meant.

maynotbeperfect, no worries! I didn't take it in a grumpy way. I'm rather jealous of the person who travelled to the jungle to meet elephants and lounged around on a beach fringed by coconut palms drinking fresh watermelon juice myself. Particularly as I have spent the day attempting to cool/calm down a very fractious and heat-stricken toddler.

yes, that was good - really upbeat.

That journey to Prabaker's home village (I think it was chap 5)..........I was crying laughing!

I know what you mean about the language chaya, i did struggle with this at first. I wonder if that is first novel syndrome? But what i loved about it was the characters - i adored Prabaker and Johnny Cigar. I did find some bits a bit "own trumpet blowing", but this was balanced by some pretty ugly home truths i guess. The guy i didn't like was Didier, i thought he was mercinary but perhaps that is because we didn't really get to know what made him tick.

I am sorry but I hated it. I found the language really forced and pretentious and stopped reading part way through. But perhaps I should give it another try. Tell me what you loved about it.

Oh I loved Shantaram, I keep it in my room by the window so if I have a free half hour I sit and open at random.

never say never horton!! that emoticon looks too grumpy, i meant it in a nice way!

Heh, sorry! It was pre-child. I don't anticipate going to India again for a very long time, if ever!