Friday, August 31, 2007

A Magical Journey through the History of Modern India

#43 - Midnight’s Children, by Salman Rushdie
Finished 8/31/07
Rating: 4/5
Total Pages: 463
Reason for Reading: Literature Network
REVIEW: I very much enjoyed Midnight’s Children, my first Rushdie novel. This book has often been compared to Marquez’ One Hundred Years of Solitude, for its qualities of magical realism. I agree, but I found Midnight’s Children to have much more of a sense of reality than One Hundred Years of Solitude. Midnight’s Children is the story of Saleem Sinai, who was born in Bombay at the stroke of midnight on August 15th, 1947 – the same day that modern India was “born.” The book makes a running commentary on religious and political matters in the nation, using parallel occurrences in the life of Saleem as a counterpoint. Rushdie’s writing is intensely detailed and involving. Even the most mundane of daily activities, such as making chutney, are brought to life with delightful colours, scents, and sounds. I’m left feeling that it needs to be re-read strictly for the purpose of fully enjoying all the intricacies of Rushdie’s masterful use of language. Highly recommended.

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