Right now I’m reading the novel Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. While it’s a pain to lug around (it’s a hefty 944 pages and I’m only on page 423) it’s completely gripping. On one hand it’s a tale of redemption, of an escaped convict who turns his life around while living in the slums of Bombay. But on another level, Shantaram is also a fine piece of travel writing. While the story is fictional, it is based on Roberts’ actual experiences in India. His lengthy description of the Indian head nod (in all its nuances and variations), as well as his account of trying to get onto a crowded train, had me laughing out loud and thinking, “That is so true.” When it comes to describing the heart of India, Roberts has done what few travel writers can achieve- he really got it. As for some of his other discoveries, like the Standing Babas and Madame Zhou, I’m not convinced they really exist, but I'm sure Shantaram has inspired thousands of travellers to try and find them.­­