It is believed that the novel is highly influenced by several real life events from the author’s life. The story covers seven years from the author’s amazing life. He had reached Mumbai, then called Bombay, in 1982. He left Mumbai in the late eighties, though it is only implied in the novel.
During those seven years, Robert’s fictional self, Lin, the central character in the novel, takes part in several dangerous, funny, and violent events. He falls in love and he also takes part in the resistance against the Russians in Afghanistan.
Ready Reference Treatise: Shantaram Copyright Chapter One: Introduction Chapter Two: Plot Overview Chapter Three: Some Facts about the Novel Chapter Four: Some of the Several Characters Chapter Five: Complete Summary Chapter Six: Critical Analysis