A Long Way Home: A Memoir

Really an unputdownable story of a small, illiterate boy accidentally abandoned on a train which took him to the other side of the Indian sub-continent and ultimately to adoption in Australia. You wouldn't read about it! yet here it is - what a marvellous true story of truly remarkable synchronicities which one might be forgiven in calling a miracle. The generosity of spirit shown by the couple who adopted such an unknown waif really shows the very best of human nature, and their support in helping their now adult son in tracking down his original village is hugely heartwarming. Restored my failing faith in humanity!

If this had been a work of fiction it would have been an excellent, if somewhat unbelievable, story, but knowing it is a true account of the author's incredible journey from a lost and bewildered five year old in India to the happy and fulfilled adult he is today is just fantastic. The book is easy to read and hard to put down and throughout the book I found myself Googling more information about Saroo. There are some excellent photos at the end of the book, but as I was reading on Kindle I didn't see these until I had finished. I so admire Saroo's determination and dedication in finding his birth family but also admire his adopted parents for their support and understanding in helping this come about. I can't wait to see the film and I wish Saroo every happiness in the future with his families in India, Australia and, hopefully, one of his own someday. What amazing stories he will have to tell his own children and grandchildren.

This book was chosen by the Book Club I have recently joined and I will be the first to admit that it falls well outside of my reading comfort zone, I normally read Crime Fiction and Thrillers.I was hooked on Saroo's story from the first page to the last and the only negative thing I have to say is that the book is too short! This was a quick book to read at less than 300 pages but it was an emotionally engaging book that kept going on until the end.I rarely read non-fiction and this was a really nice break, I enjoyed reading the story and found it inspirational. A great book, recommend it to anyone.Easy and quick to read.

Lion (aka A Long Way Home) is the true story of a 5 yr old Indian boy who becomes separated from his family and eventually finds his way home 30 years later.In India in the 1980s, young Saroo lived with his mother & 3 siblings in a single-roomed shack. Life was tough and food was scarce but the family loved each other & Saroo felt safe. When he went out with his older brother one night to the nearest town to see if they could earn a few rupees for food, he became separated from him and eventually ends up on a train, travelling hundreds of miles away from his home. Alone in Calcutta, he survives using his wits, much as he had back home. Scavenging for food, listening to his intuition and trying to make sense of his new existence. Eventually picked up by some charity workers & taken to an orphanage, Saroo meets a worker called Saroj Sood who tries to help him to find his home. However as a 5 yr old, Saroo doesn’t really know where he came from, just that he lives in “Ginestlay” and “Berampur” is where the train goes. Unable to work out where these mystery places are, and thus to trace his family, Saroo is ultimately declared “lost” by the Indian government & put up for adoption. He is adopted by a loving Australian couple and given a life he could only ever have dreamed of back in India.As a young adult, he starts to use Google Earth to painstakingly find his home in India, with just tiny snippets of memory to help him.The story moves back and forth, quite naturally, from Saroo’s memories to his searches to today, and it’s amazing how much and how well he remembered, though this was undoubtedly helped by his adoptive Mum who ensured that everything he said was recorded, that he drew little maps of his hometown – she kept these for many years, not really knowing why, and they became invaluable to him when he was finally able to start the search for where he came from.I remember the story when it hit the news a few years ago, and am glad I have now read Saroo’s own story. The writing isn’t great, but the author is recording his journey of discovery and must be admired for that. He was only 5 yrs old when he became lost so the early part of his life is short on detail.Ultimately this is a story about a child overcoming the impossible through unwavering love, determination and just a smattering of luck!

Fascinating true life story

I love this book! This book made me so happy and a little sad but mostly overjoyed at Saroo's triumph. The story is so incredible and I cried and cried while reading it. The photos also brought tears to my eyes. Buy this book now and read it! This book is a reminder that life can be good. So glad Saroo shared his personal story. Cannot wait for the film Lion starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. I hope it gets Oscar nominations too. I hope Dev and Nicole win the Golden Globes they have been nominated for.

I LIKE IT, BECAUSE IS A VERY TOUCHING TRUE STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING AND CAN LEARN A LOT FROM IT I THINK.

I saw the film first and just had to get the book to fill in the gaps and answer the many questions I had. It did all that. What a wonderful story and written in a very matter of fact way. A great read.