Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

[CatKisser]

My brother is nagging me to read this. He's usually right with his recommendations. I've just downloaded it - it's huge!
Has anyone read it and can tell me loosely what it's about, what it's similar to, etc? Refuse to read amazon reviews any more as some people seem to relish including massive spoilers. I'm intending starting it later today when Ive done the housework.

Had just posted about Shantaram in the "books you have up on" thread then saw this one! I just remembered something else I hated about the book - all the sodding teenage stoner-level philosophising. Usually at the end of a chapter, as if it were some Orientalised version of an episode of Jerry Springer.

given up on, of course