Gregory David Roberts
Full Name and Common Aliases
Gregory David Roberts, born Gregory John Peter Smith, is an Australian author best known for his novel "Shantaram." He is often referred to simply as Greg Roberts or GDR by his fans and followers.
Birth and Death Dates
Gregory David Roberts was born on June 21, 1952. As of the latest available information, he is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Gregory David Roberts is an Australian national. He is a renowned author and has also been involved in various other professions throughout his life, including being a fugitive, a smuggler, and a charity worker. His diverse life experiences have significantly influenced his writing.
Early Life and Background
Gregory David Roberts was born in Melbourne, Australia. He grew up in a middle-class family and pursued higher education at the University of Melbourne. However, his life took a dramatic turn in the 1970s when he became addicted to heroin following a series of personal setbacks, including a painful divorce and the loss of custody of his daughter. To support his addiction, Roberts turned to crime, committing a series of armed robberies. His criminal activities eventually led to his arrest and a 19-year prison sentence.
In 1980, Roberts made a daring escape from Pentridge Prison in broad daylight, becoming one of Australia's most wanted men. He fled to India, where he lived for ten years, a period that profoundly shaped his life and writing.
Major Accomplishments
Gregory David Roberts is best known for his novel "Shantaram," published in 2003. The book is a semi-autobiographical account of his life as a fugitive in India. "Shantaram" received critical acclaim for its vivid storytelling and deep philosophical insights, quickly becoming a bestseller worldwide. The novel's success established Roberts as a significant literary figure and led to a sequel, "The Mountain Shadow," published in 2015.
In addition to his literary achievements, Roberts has been involved in various humanitarian efforts. During his time in India, he worked in a Bombay slum, providing medical assistance and establishing a free health clinic. His commitment to helping others has been a consistent theme throughout his life.
Notable Works or Actions
"Shantaram" is undoubtedly Gregory David Roberts' most notable work. The novel's rich narrative, inspired by his own experiences, offers readers a unique glimpse into the complexities of life in India, the struggles of a fugitive, and the quest for redemption. The book's impact was such that it was optioned for a film adaptation, with several high-profile actors and directors attached to the project over the years.
Roberts' sequel, "The Mountain Shadow," continues the story of the protagonist, Lin, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Both novels are celebrated for their philosophical depth and engaging storytelling.
Impact and Legacy
Gregory David Roberts' life and work have left a lasting impact on both literature and popular culture. His ability to transform personal adversity into compelling narratives has inspired countless readers worldwide. "Shantaram" has been translated into numerous languages, allowing Roberts' story to reach a global audience.
Beyond his literary contributions, Roberts' life story serves as a testament to the power of redemption and the human capacity for change. His journey from a convicted criminal to a celebrated author and humanitarian is a powerful narrative of transformation and hope.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Gregory David Roberts is widely quoted and remembered for his profound insights into the human condition, as expressed through his writing. His quotes often reflect themes of love, freedom, and the search for identity, resonating with readers who find themselves grappling with similar existential questions.
Roberts' life story, marked by dramatic highs and lows, adds a layer of authenticity to his words, making them all the more impactful. His ability to articulate complex emotions and philosophical ideas in a relatable manner has cemented his status as a source of inspiration and wisdom for many.
In summary, Gregory David Roberts is remembered not only for his literary achievements but also for his remarkable life journey. His work continues to inspire and provoke thought, ensuring his place in the annals of literary and cultural history.
Quotes by Gregory David Roberts
Gregory David Roberts's insights on:
Her lips were like the soft ridges of dunes in the desert at sunset; like the crests of waves meeting in the frothy rush to shore; like the folded wings of courting birds.
I detest bullies for their cowardice, and despise them for their cruelty. I never knew a tough man who preyed on the weak. Tough men hate bullies almost as much as bullies hate tough men.
Every virtuous act has some Dark secret in its heart; every risk we take contains a mystery that can't be solved.
The cloak of the past is cut from patches of feeling, and sewn with rebus threads. Most of the time, the best we can do is wrap it around ourselves for comfort or drag it behind us as we struggle to go on. But everythign has its cause and its meaning. Every life, every love, every action and feeling and thought has its reason and significance: its beginning, and the part it plays in the end. Sometimes, we do see.
Jealousy, like the flawed love that bears it, has no respect for time or space or wisely reasoned argument.
I couldn’t tell him that I felt too weak and beat up to climb a mountain: sometimes, all the guts you have is the guts you pretend, because you love someone too much to lose their respect.
We are collections of things that we find and experience and value and keep inside ourselves, sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly, and that collection of things is what we finally become.
The moon, our lonely sister, filters pain and harm from sunlight, and reflects it back to us safely, free of burn and blemish. We danced in moonlight on the balcony that night, Oleg and I, and we sang and shouted and laughed, hardening ourselves to what we’d done in life, and what we’d lost. And the moon graced two fallen fools, on a fallen day, with sunlight purified by a mirror in the sky, made of stone.
The beautiful courage of us, the hope that defines our kind, is that we go on, no matter how much life wounds us. We walk. We face the sea and the wind and the salted truth of death, and we go on.