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adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book most of the time. I was a little skeptical about the whole female-centric empire and I think that part was sort of weird and not to full fruition. So much happened in this book it’s crazy to think back to the beginning. It was very interesting to follow an empire through its peaks and slopes and I enjoyed following the character arcs. I wish pampas daughters had a more clear role in the story. All of the kings really pissed me off but I guess that’s the point. I found it helpful to read this at this time in history where everything is very volatile in the present and we have a ruler who thinks he is a king and it puts that in perspective a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were moments where this book really shined but they were few and far between. I've seen a lot of reviews judge this based on an assumption that this is a feminist novel -- I don't think it's meant to be. It's more about the power of story, how that power can change the past and the future. It's also an interesting microcosm of the history of India. But it was otherwise hard to get to and sometimes frustrating to figure out.
What happens to Pampa Kampana in the end is haunting considering Rushdie wrote this before he was shot.
What happens to Pampa Kampana in the end is haunting considering Rushdie wrote this before he was shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence
dark
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
TLDR: A well told story.
The story is told with modern sensibilities but lush descriptions of people and placers. Written by an omniscient third person narrator paraphrasing a found ancient manuscript. There is a fair bit of humour and swipes at intolerance and the discrimination of people due to their gender, sexual preference, religion, ethnic group, or economic circumstances.
Characters are complex and diverse, main characters get backstories. The plot is easy to follow Place settings are detailed. The writing is beautiful and clear.As the story goes on there is foreshadowing so there are no plot twists or surprises.
This was a lovely tale and now I know that the pink monkeys with no tail are the worst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Pregnancy
Graphic intention blinding, Moderate stillbirth, maternal death in childbirth.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second Salman Rushdie book and the second time I’ve come to the end of the book and realized I was missing a lot of historical context. Other than the main character, Pampa Kampana, and the magical realism elements associated with her, the characters, city, and events are historical. I’d assumed the city was fictitious even if it was based loosely on real places, but it was apparently very much real.
Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. In a way I’m glad I read it without the historical context, even though I need to go back now and read it again.
The story chronicles the rise and fall of a city and its creator, a woman named Pampa Kampana, who seeks to shape a home for herself and others characterized by religious tolerance, art, sexual freedom, and most of all, a place for women to flourish. This dream is partially achieved at times, but difficult to maintain, and the plot is primarily shaped by the actions and whims of the powerful men based on real rulers.
The question of whether a society characterized by respect and dignity for all its people is really possible is very relevant, and though my thoughts on the book are still a bit murky, I think it does provide interesting responses to that question
Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. In a way I’m glad I read it without the historical context, even though I need to go back now and read it again.
The story chronicles the rise and fall of a city and its creator, a woman named Pampa Kampana, who seeks to shape a home for herself and others characterized by religious tolerance, art, sexual freedom, and most of all, a place for women to flourish. This dream is partially achieved at times, but difficult to maintain, and the plot is primarily shaped by the actions and whims of the powerful men based on real rulers.
The question of whether a society characterized by respect and dignity for all its people is really possible is very relevant, and though my thoughts on the book are still a bit murky, I think it does provide interesting responses to that question
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, War
Minor: Child abuse, Rape
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I normally love Salman Rushdie, but this book didn’t do much for me. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t love it as much as I’ve loved his other books. It was a solid “meh” for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, War
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Victory City is a delightful historical literary fantasy by the master storyteller himself. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a delight to read, and Rushdie always leaves us with much to ponder.
For you if: You love the kind of literary fiction that feels like fables and fairytales.
FULL REVIEW:
Victory City isn’t perfect, but like so many of Salman Rushdie’s novels, it is well-written and a delight to read. He’s a masterful storyteller no matter what he’s writing, but a work of historical literary fantasy like this? Chef’s kiss.
Inspired by the real-life, fourteenth century Vijayanagara Empire, this novel charts the life of Pampa Kampana, a girl orphaned at the age of nine when her mother walked into flames. She’s then imbued with power and foresight and long life by a goddess who charges her to give women equal agency. She becomes the mother of a kingdom sprouted from seeds, and over the course of more than 250 years, we watch the rise and fall of that kingdom, witnessing her own children cycle between love and reverence, and fear and rejection, and back again and back again.
I love when Rushdie tells me a story — and that’s what this really feels like, an epic once upon a time. The voice is magical and enchanting, and you can tell he had a lot of fun writing it. (The audiobook is also delightfully narrated.) This, for me, was the primary delight of the book.
Admittedly, it’s got a little bit of feminism-written-by-a-man syndrome (Pampa Kampana is sexually abused by the monk who took her in but never tells anyone, even when he rises to power; she works her magic through two kings rather than leading herself; the kingdom she gives life to still ends up thinking women unfit to rule, etc.) At the same time, it feels true to the period of history it seems to represent. Are all societies doomed to implode eventually? Can we free ourselves from the cycles of violence, the corruption of power, the allure of privilege?
If you love the kind of literary fiction that feels like fables and fairytales, definitely give this one a shot.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Victory City is a delightful historical literary fantasy by the master storyteller himself. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a delight to read, and Rushdie always leaves us with much to ponder.
For you if: You love the kind of literary fiction that feels like fables and fairytales.
FULL REVIEW:
Victory City isn’t perfect, but like so many of Salman Rushdie’s novels, it is well-written and a delight to read. He’s a masterful storyteller no matter what he’s writing, but a work of historical literary fantasy like this? Chef’s kiss.
Inspired by the real-life, fourteenth century Vijayanagara Empire, this novel charts the life of Pampa Kampana, a girl orphaned at the age of nine when her mother walked into flames. She’s then imbued with power and foresight and long life by a goddess who charges her to give women equal agency. She becomes the mother of a kingdom sprouted from seeds, and over the course of more than 250 years, we watch the rise and fall of that kingdom, witnessing her own children cycle between love and reverence, and fear and rejection, and back again and back again.
I love when Rushdie tells me a story — and that’s what this really feels like, an epic once upon a time. The voice is magical and enchanting, and you can tell he had a lot of fun writing it. (The audiobook is also delightfully narrated.) This, for me, was the primary delight of the book.
Admittedly, it’s got a little bit of feminism-written-by-a-man syndrome (Pampa Kampana is sexually abused by the monk who took her in but never tells anyone, even when he rises to power; she works her magic through two kings rather than leading herself; the kingdom she gives life to still ends up thinking women unfit to rule, etc.) At the same time, it feels true to the period of history it seems to represent. Are all societies doomed to implode eventually? Can we free ourselves from the cycles of violence, the corruption of power, the allure of privilege?
If you love the kind of literary fiction that feels like fables and fairytales, definitely give this one a shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death of parent
Moderate: Rape, War