while I didn't find this sequel to be a chore to read, and enjoyed many of the characters; the story line was in need of a better setting. i liked the authors depiction of the slums . while i really loved reading Shantaram, I felt this read was a bit more like work. ( )

While I have to agree that this was not as good as GDR's Shantaram, I cannot see any reason for 3 stars. Personally, I think it deserves 4.5 stars, but not 5.

GDR's novels are very spiritual, and I would say that there was less story in The Mountain Shadow and more philosophy, which at times did read a little like Chinese fortune cookies. Some of the pithy quotes though were quite funny or memorable. As before, Lin/Shantaram is a criminal, making his money from forging documents and then by running an illegal money changing business; however, he has a huge heart. We find him adrift as the book opens, because the love of his life, Karla, has married a media magnate and aspiring politician. As in Shantaram, Lin assembles a wonderful list of friends from all walks of life and cultures, many are lost souls like himself: gangsters, street people, gurus, and even an heiress. There is much mayhem (and drug use) in the book, as the criminal underworld and police are constantly at war, and emotional highs and lows, as Lin's friends have extraordinary luck, both good and bad. I missed the slums, which were such a wonderful backdrop in the first book; however, the slums did provide an important safe haven. In the end, I think the message is a positive message about love, faith, religion, ethics, and the human spirit.
( )

ik vond hem een stuk minder goed dan zijn vorige boek. Hij gebruikt te veel geforceerd aanvoelend poëtische bewoordingen. Het verhaal gaat te veel over de mafia en zijn relatie met Karla, er zit te weinig structuur in. ( )

Lim tries to distance himself from gangs, but his allegiances conflict with his desire for relationship with Karla. Meanwhile the battles between gangs overlap with strife between Muslims and Hindus.

Like other reviewers, I was prepared to like this book. I didn't DISlike it, but I certainly can't say I loved it either. The storyline was very weak - not much happened but it took 900 pages to get there. The story is still peppered with interesting characters, but they slipped in and out of the story in random places. I missed the life and heart of the slum setting of Shantaram - this city focused version had less grit, less emotional attachment.

It had elements of a love story as Lin and Karla kept weaving in and out of each other's orbit, but it became exhausting. It had elements of friendship, gang war, spirituality, philosophy, etc. but overall, it didn't come together as the strong, epic novel that Shantaram was. There were some profound gems tucked into the philosophical / spiritual portions of the book, but there was too much of it for my taste. The ending was disappointing - it felt like a quick Hollywood wrap up touching base with each of the characters and settling them in place. Very unsatisfying. Overall a very long and very average book. ( )