OK, I'm not one usually asking for help on something like this; usually, I have a great memory for books and have helped out a number of people. Here goes - and what I remember is REALLY vague:
It's a very, very thick trade paper edition with a red (?) cover. It was published within the last 5 years and takes place in India (?) It's his first novel.
It's all about the exploits of some kind of adventurer, who gets caught up in some kind of mob, narcotics - you name, this character has done it; (and he MAY have the same name as the author, so it MAY be some kind of "fictionalized" non-fiction novel ??)
The book has polarized readers. Some love it for the sheer adventure of the writing. Other people hate it because it's so unbelievable and seems to have schmaltzy philosophizing.
If you can help, I'll mail you a cookie left over from last month, but recently discovered behind the oven.
Amazon carries the book, but I neglected to write it down.
Thanks in advance,
Don