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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This was a bit of a slog, but ultimately it was worth it. I always struggle with magical realism, and this was not exception, but once I got into the story (took me until a little a quarter of the way through) I really did get invested. I can't really understand why this book is so controversial-which probably shows my ignorance of Islam, but I didn't find it fascinating to begin to fully comprehend the shared heritage of the three main world religions. Worth perceiving with!
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I tried. I really did. I slogged through part one telling myself I was having fun, but then gave up the act in part two.
I've not the art smarts enough to enjoy/appreciate this book.
I've not the art smarts enough to enjoy/appreciate this book.
If you can get through the first chapter you'll probably really enjoy this book. At least I did.
It's really hard to explain the book, suffice to say that a plane explodes over England and two men miraculously survive and find themselves set against each other. One sprouts a halo from his head, and the other sprouts horns and goat legs.
There are all a few other stories which weave in and out which are also related to the guy with the halo. He is possibly going crazy or possibly really an angel.
There is a lot about identity in the book, what it means to be from your own culture, and integrating into new cultures.
The writing is very good, it just kind of tumbles along.
It's really hard to explain the book, suffice to say that a plane explodes over England and two men miraculously survive and find themselves set against each other. One sprouts a halo from his head, and the other sprouts horns and goat legs.
There are all a few other stories which weave in and out which are also related to the guy with the halo. He is possibly going crazy or possibly really an angel.
There is a lot about identity in the book, what it means to be from your own culture, and integrating into new cultures.
The writing is very good, it just kind of tumbles along.
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-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
What a difficult read for me! But how rich a book! And what a style! I'm not sure of what happened in there but that was quite an experience...
My sister got me this as a high school graduation gift over two decades ago and it’s been with me through nine moves. I opened it once, read a couple pages and put it away. I honestly believe I was too young back then. This time, I was four chapters in when Salman Rushdie was stabbed and rushed into surgery. He’s been living under fatwa pretty much since this book was published and this isn’t the first attempt on his life. There’s a hefty bounty on his head, after all.
Look, I can see why I didn’t get very far with this the first time: Rushdie’s style is that of flowery magical realism with long, meandering sentences that make you feel like you’re out of breath. (I admit I read the Wiki summary on the book to give me some idea of what I was reading but I’m also pretty sure that listening to The Stories of Mahabharata helped me to get into the proper mood to read this.) And hovering above it all is an omniscient Narrator who comments on the events and the characters but stays elusive.
I found that I can’t read this at one go. The language is so dense and the style is a Lot, so I read it every now and then, a couple of chapters here, fifteen pages there. And let me tell you, I was glad I read the summary beforehand because that’s the only way I could understand what the fuck and why. Now, don’t get me wrong: I still don’t understand the massive hype around this because I just don’t get religious fundamentalism but I can see why certain factions went ballistic. But since I’m a white, Western woman, the story carries flavors I’ll never taste even if they were pointed to me.
All in all, I’m not sure what to say. This was a chore for sure but it’s also something that seems to have burrowed under my skin and it lives there now. I might stop and stare at the wall as I think back on some passage of the book or I get caught up in a Vibe. Or I find myself resonating strongly with ”--I don’t want you to say I’m as important as her, no, just a second-rank love will do for me, a side-dish amour--”. Oh, and I also like the terms ”Coca-colonization of the world” and ”helicopters urinating light.” There were many places where Rushdie's effortless wordplay caught my eye and I enjoyed it tremendously.
I liked the dream-sections about Mahound and Jahilia the most. The language was rich yet simple and didn’t try to go, well, overboard with everything. And I sure as hell enjoyed Rushdie’s critical views on religious texts and the blatant hypocrisy the religious institutions swim in.
But was this enjoyable? I honestly can’t say it was. Educational in many ways, yes, but it wasn’t a joy to read. Parts of it were but on too many occasions, I had to push myself to keep on reading. If not for the bingo challenge, there’s a high chance I would’ve just set it aside and then slowly let myself forget about it and years later wonder where that particular bookmark had gotten to—ahh, right, it’s there.
Look, I can see why I didn’t get very far with this the first time: Rushdie’s style is that of flowery magical realism with long, meandering sentences that make you feel like you’re out of breath. (I admit I read the Wiki summary on the book to give me some idea of what I was reading but I’m also pretty sure that listening to The Stories of Mahabharata helped me to get into the proper mood to read this.) And hovering above it all is an omniscient Narrator who comments on the events and the characters but stays elusive.
I found that I can’t read this at one go. The language is so dense and the style is a Lot, so I read it every now and then, a couple of chapters here, fifteen pages there. And let me tell you, I was glad I read the summary beforehand because that’s the only way I could understand what the fuck and why. Now, don’t get me wrong: I still don’t understand the massive hype around this because I just don’t get religious fundamentalism but I can see why certain factions went ballistic. But since I’m a white, Western woman, the story carries flavors I’ll never taste even if they were pointed to me.
All in all, I’m not sure what to say. This was a chore for sure but it’s also something that seems to have burrowed under my skin and it lives there now. I might stop and stare at the wall as I think back on some passage of the book or I get caught up in a Vibe. Or I find myself resonating strongly with ”--I don’t want you to say I’m as important as her, no, just a second-rank love will do for me, a side-dish amour--”. Oh, and I also like the terms ”Coca-colonization of the world” and ”helicopters urinating light.” There were many places where Rushdie's effortless wordplay caught my eye and I enjoyed it tremendously.
I liked the dream-sections about Mahound and Jahilia the most. The language was rich yet simple and didn’t try to go, well, overboard with everything. And I sure as hell enjoyed Rushdie’s critical views on religious texts and the blatant hypocrisy the religious institutions swim in.
But was this enjoyable? I honestly can’t say it was. Educational in many ways, yes, but it wasn’t a joy to read. Parts of it were but on too many occasions, I had to push myself to keep on reading. If not for the bingo challenge, there’s a high chance I would’ve just set it aside and then slowly let myself forget about it and years later wonder where that particular bookmark had gotten to—ahh, right, it’s there.
When this book stirred so much controversy back in 1988, even earning a death sentence for the author from Islamic fundamentalists, I had to check it out. I'm a sucker for controversy... and death threats. Turns out it's a pretty fascinating book, especially considering it's basically another good vs. evil story. Rushdie has a real way with words, a knack for description, a real feel for the bizarre and ridiculous, and apparently he also loves to write long, long sentences. I'm not entirely sure why those Muslims wanted him dead... I guess they just don't have much of a sense of humor regarding their religion. Which is a bit ironic! Personally, I love it when people satirize my deity (which is Pan, BTW, who obviously lends himself quite handily to parody and satire.) Anyway, although it's rather long and frankly the language is sometimes tedious, I think this is well worth checking out.
Tried it for a book club. Made several attempts, just couldn't manage.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes