Lion

By: Saroo Brierley, Larry Buttrose

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

At only five years old, Saroo Brierley got lost on a train in India. Unable to read or write or recall the name of his hometown or even his own last name, he survived alone for weeks on the rough streets of Calcutta before ultimately being transferred to an agency and adopted by a couple in Australia.

Despite his gratitude, Brierley always wondered about his origins. Eventually, with the advent of Google Earth, he had the opportunity to look for the needle in a haystack he once called home and pore over satellite images for landmarks he might recognize or mathematical equations that might further narrow down the labyrinthine map of India. One day, after years of searching, he miraculously found what he was looking for and set off to find his family.

Lion is a moving, poignant, and inspirational true story of survival and triumph against incredible odds. It celebrates the importance of never letting go of what drives the human spirit: hope.

©2016 Saroo Brierley (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Narrator Vikas Adam's clear diction and engaging Australian accent are easy to embrace right from the beginning.... The incredible true story of a lost child who travels from India to Australia is fascinating; assigning the elegant simplicity of good storytelling to Adam was a stroke of genius. His pacing is deliberate and calm, allowing listeners to absorb the story's details fully. There is no need to dress this story in a melodramatic voice - the story itself carries all the emotion we need. Rather, Adam steps back to give us space to feel it." ( AudioFile)

Listen on higher speed

Story is okay. The reader is very slow but tolerable if you listen on 1.25x the normal speed. I just think this book could have been 2/3 the length with better writing.

Read the Book

Would you listen to Lion again? Why?

While it was an amazing story and one of my new favorites, I would not listen to the audiobook again. This is because I did not care for the narrator. For some reason the narration just did not do it for me. See below...

Who was your favorite character and why?

The story is about Saroo himself and he is very much realized within the pages of the book. It is hard to pick a favorite character because they were all so well brought out in the book that everyone brought something to the experience. I really appreciated the Brierley parents who took him in as I also believe adoption is something everyone should consider and something I plan to do in the future.

What three words best describe Vikas Adam’s performance?

Bad fake accents - this was my problem with the narration of the book. I loved the book, it was amazing. The narration though, for me, left something to be desired. The entire book is read in a bad Australian accent with moments of bad Indian accents that really took me out of the work. I found this same thing with "Life of Pi" and I ended up returning that book. I might return this one too, I haven't decided.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me both laugh and cry. I had seen the movie so I knew what to expect but I was still overwhelmed by some moments. It has a good balance of heart-touching moments that make you both laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend reading the book over the audio. I would also highly, highly recommend the movie.

Such an incredible story!

I've heard about Saroo's story like probably a lot of people when the movie Lion was out. But I thought it would be too heartbreaking to watch. So I searched for the book and I'm so glad that I did. This is such an incredible and inspiring story, I feel like doing something more to help others. Such a worthy reading, I truly recommend! The narrator was good, the only thing I didn't really care for was his interpretation of indian characters talking english with a very forced accent. But that was minor detail.

Amazing Story!

This story underlines the true definition of the human struggle. It also shines a light on the social ramifications of a political system catering to whims of those with, rather than those without.

Rags to Riches on Steriods

I didn't think that this book or the movie would be interesting to me but one day I was bored and saw the movie listed on Netflix so I watched it. It was amazing! Bought the book right away and started listening - it was intriguing.

The things that this little child went through and then was fortunate enough to be adopted by such wonderful people who didn't try to discourage or squash who he was culminates in a superb tale. It's not over yet. At the end of the book there are instructions on how to get updates on Saroo and his family.

Wonderful, fascinating story and well, well worth a credit.

Absolutely amazing! You wil love it.

What did you love best about Lion?

Saroo never gave up.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course Saroo.

What about Vikas Adam’s performance did you like?

His voice captured you and made you want to continue to the next chapter.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was touching to read how a 5 year old grew up to become a grown man who had the courage to go back to where it all began.

Amazing as well as a complete MIRACLE!

After seeing the movie I had to listen to the book. The movie was wonderful but, the book provided a more detailed story. I'm forever changed after having come across such a wonderful story.

Fantastic!

I loved this book. The story and narration were fantastic; I was touched by Saroo's courage, dedication and love for both his adopted family and his birth family.

Couldn't stop listening to this book!

Amazing story that draws you in from the first minute and keeps you wanting more. Tugs at your heartstrings.

Incredible autobiography!

I'm so glad I listened to this book before watching the movie as of course it's much more detailed. I was moved to tears more than once! Can't even imagine being totally alone in one of the biggest cities in the world at age 5. Saroo/Sheroo is definitely a LION!