It’s all about a city and a woman. Mumbai and Karla. A wonderful creation. Worth reading. Even if the size of the book frightens you, give it a try. You will enjoy every minute of reading. Author is a prisoner and a "wanted man" by Australian Govt., a heroin addict, a gangster who worked in the darker facades of Mafia world. At the same time, a true lover. Had gone to Afghanistan to fight alongwith mujaheddins. Story begins when the author reaches Mumbai after a jail-break. Since, all the crimes are recordically proven, what all things he has told could be believed. I really liked his narrations about the great Mumbai. Especially about his slum life as a doctor. All characters of this novel are lived or living, he says. I just believe him. Because, it gave me also such a feeling. The great "Khan" who is the head of a Mafia Council, Prabaker, Karla, Didier, Abdulla, Ulla, Lisa, Lettie, Vikram Patel, Nazeer, Khalid Ansari, Qasim Ali Hussain, Johny Cigar, Modena, Madame Zhou, Sanjay, Salman, Abdul Ghani, Zodiac Georges, Hassan Obikwa and list continues. As a person, who studied Physics, I fell in love with Khader’s philosophy. This book also gives us some wonderful information about some customs and cults. For example, I came to know about "Standing Babas" through this novel.
In fact, he has described Indian culture in best words. No reservations against anything about simpleminded Indians. I truly admire that. In short, I recommend this novel as a best pick for the bookworms and for serious readers. Its dramatic in some places, but a thorough entertainer.
Sad on one point only. He has been to Goa, almost all parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Singapore, Africa and you name it. But has never visited our “God’s Own Country”. Ok, let’s forgive him for that. :)
