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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I didn't know what to expect from this, my first Salman Rushdie novel. I read it because I wanted to know what someone had to say to incite an entire nation to murderous rage. I guess I missed the point.
Overall, I liked the "magical realism" aspect that was touted on the back cover, but once again much of the rest was lost on me: symbolism, metaphor, context. I like to think myself an educated person, but this book didn't seem so much like fiction once I realized how strongly its contexts and messages were connected with the "real" world, more specifically a part of the "real" world with which I'm not very familiar.
This book is probably wonderful for readers who are familiar with Indian and English culture, as well as Christian and Muslim history. For me, though, it was a chore for me to read some chapters, and a delight to read others. Time will tell if this book will stay with me.
Overall, I liked the "magical realism" aspect that was touted on the back cover, but once again much of the rest was lost on me: symbolism, metaphor, context. I like to think myself an educated person, but this book didn't seem so much like fiction once I realized how strongly its contexts and messages were connected with the "real" world, more specifically a part of the "real" world with which I'm not very familiar.
This book is probably wonderful for readers who are familiar with Indian and English culture, as well as Christian and Muslim history. For me, though, it was a chore for me to read some chapters, and a delight to read others. Time will tell if this book will stay with me.
I didn’t expect to like this book. I was expecting something intellectual, dense, inaccessible. Don’t know why - I guess I’ve always seen Salman Rushdie as a 'clever' writer, someone whose work was aimed at the 'arty' types. Yet I actually found it very readable. The patterns of language used and the often surreal events might be off putting to some, but I had no problem and found the various threads and subplots woven throughout the book engaging and the characters well drawn. The only downside was when I got the end of the book I found I’d absolutely no idea what it was all about! I’m guess I’m going to have to go away now and do some further reading...
Oh, there’s the controversy, of course. I guess without the cultural background the very small part of the story that stirred up so much trouble may not seem particularly significant. All Rushdie is implying is that the Quran is not the word of god, but then presumably pretty much all non-muslims think the same, so it hardly seems a unusual claim.
Oh, there’s the controversy, of course. I guess without the cultural background the very small part of the story that stirred up so much trouble may not seem particularly significant. All Rushdie is implying is that the Quran is not the word of god, but then presumably pretty much all non-muslims think the same, so it hardly seems a unusual claim.
I feel about this book, in many ways, how I felt about 100 Years of Solitude. The prose is truly beautiful and inventive, which made it enjoyable to read. I did not know what the shit was going on with the details of the plot at most times, and I think I lacked a cultural reference for many key aspects of the book. I gave it three stars for me, but I can totally see why this might be a five star book for someone with slightly different taste.
Excellent novel on the conflict between good and evil and the blurred distinction between. Second time I’ve read this book. Complex book that’s hard to comprehend even after two readings. I did have some help this time from an online study guide: http://www.gradesaver.com/the-satanic-verses
As noted in the guide: “He explores his themes through myriad variations told over four different plots (the main plot, the Mahound plot, the Ayesha plot, and the short Imam-in-exile plot). The multiple narratives reinforce the novel's idea that our identities are forever in conflict with history - the history of our country, of our religion, of our descent, and of our personal lives. Each of these stories reveal how the past influences the present, and therefore can we never escape it. As soon as we think we understand ourselves, we are confronted by a complication. In exploring how both every man and mankind in general in capable of angelic and satanic possibilities, Rushdie suggests that we only grow more complicated as our history proliferates. No matter how at peace we may become, myriad histories compete to complicate our lives and identities. Our business of self-discovery, therefore, is never complete.”
Can't seem to finish this. Confusing "magical realism" style makes me HAVE TO pay attention, and sometimes I just don't want to make the effort.
Salman Rushdie must write in a state of mild psychosis - it's the only way such text can be produced. The writing in no way can be faulted, it is effortless and absolutely water-tight, and that's the most impressive aspect of a story of such large, vivid, intricate proportions. Furthermore, at no point did the story drag, the pacing was superb and for that Rushdie deserves further acknowledgment, because indeed it is the pacing that most authors, in my experience, seem to struggle with. My sense of guilt upon encountering or writing run-on sentences is no more - perhaps still a vital don't for academic purposes, but for fiction not, and that is what Rushdie has now taught me.
A story of impressive imagination. Keep Wikipedia at hand.
A story of impressive imagination. Keep Wikipedia at hand.
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
too long, didn't finish. a problem i have with rushdie is that all his books are so long and so flowery that he loses me towards the end. you can edge the reader only so much
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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
I was trying so hard but I couldn't really get into it. I may try again another time. For now all I'll say is that what I've read did not warrant a stabbing.