📖 Overview
Saroo Brierley is an Indian-born Australian businessman and author known for his remarkable life story of being separated from his biological family in India at age five and reuniting with them 25 years later through Google Earth. His experience gained international attention and became the subject of his memoir "A Long Way Home."
Born around 1981 in Ganesh Talai, Madhya Pradesh, India, Brierley became lost after falling asleep on a train that took him thousands of kilometers from his hometown to Kolkata. After surviving on the streets and spending time in an orphanage, he was adopted by an Australian couple and grew up in Hobart, Tasmania.
In 2012, Brierley successfully located his hometown using Google Earth and memories from his childhood, leading to an emotional reunion with his biological family. His autobiography "A Long Way Home" was published in 2013 and later adapted into the acclaimed 2016 film "Lion," starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman.
👀 Reviews
Readers connect deeply with Brierley's personal account of loss, survival, and reunion. The book receives consistent 4.5/5 star ratings across platforms.
What readers liked:
- Raw, honest writing style that avoids sensationalism
- Clear chronological storytelling
- Detailed descriptions of both Indian and Australian life
- Balance between emotional moments and factual narrative
- Cultural insights into both countries
What readers disliked:
- Some repetition in the middle sections
- Technical details about Google Earth searches feel drawn out
- A few readers found the writing style basic
Ratings overview:
- Goodreads: 4.29/5 (82,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.7/5 (3,000+ ratings)
Reader quote: "He tells his story without self-pity or drama, just lets the incredible circumstances speak for themselves" - Goodreads reviewer
Many readers note they came to the book after watching "Lion" and found the memoir offered more depth and cultural context than the film.
📚 Books by Saroo Brierley
A Long Way Home (2013)
A memoir chronicling Brierley's journey from being lost in India at age five, his adoption by an Australian family, and his eventual reunion with his biological family 25 years later using Google Earth.
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Christina Baker Kline explores stories of displaced children and family separation through historical contexts in works like "Orphan Train". Her books examine themes of identity and belonging through the lens of real historical events and circumstances.
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