Gregory David Roberts Books in Order: Complete Reading Guide
All Gregory David Roberts novels in order — Shantaram and The Mountain Shadow. Complete guide to the Bombay crime epic series, with reading order and what to expect.
Gregory David Roberts has published two novels, both massive in scale and set in the Bombay underworld — an escaped Australian convict’s immersive portrait of a city that claimed him completely.
Shantaram is one of the most extraordinary debut novels of the early 21st century: a 936-page epic of crime, philosophy, love, and the overwhelming life of Bombay. Read it first.
Start with Shantaram — the essential first volume and a remarkable work of fiction in its own right.
Both Novels in Order
| # | Title | Year | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shantaram | 2003 | Amazon → |
| 2 | The Mountain Shadow | 2015 | Amazon → |
The Novels
Shantaram ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Start here
Lin, an escaped Australian convict, arrives in Bombay with a false passport and falls into the city’s embrace: the slums, the criminal underworld, a local mafia, and a cast of characters of extraordinary vividness. One of the most immersive portraits of Bombay (now Mumbai) in fiction, and one of the most extraordinary debut novels of the 21st century. Read the full review →
The Mountain Shadow ⭐⭐⭐
The sequel — Lin, older and still in Bombay, navigating the same underworld with the same combination of violence, philosophy, and loyalty. More of what made Shantaram compelling, for readers who want to return. Read the full review →
Also see
For the full Gregory David Roberts bibliography, reviews, and biography, visit the Gregory David Roberts author page on Editors Reads.
Affiliate disclosure: Links to Amazon on this page are affiliate links. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shantaram based on a true story?
Shantaram is presented as autobiographical fiction. Roberts was a convicted bank robber who escaped from an Australian prison in 1980 and lived in Bombay for several years. The novel is based on his experiences there, though significantly fictionalised. The name 'Shantaram' (meaning 'man of peace' in Marathi) was given to him by the spiritual leader at the centre of the story.
How long are the Shantaram books?
Shantaram is approximately 936 pages in most editions. The Mountain Shadow is approximately 880 pages. Both are substantial commitments, but readers who engage find the Bombay world and the narrative energy sufficient to sustain the length.
