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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
***SPOILERS***
This was a fun read, and there were parts that I did like, but I didn't feel entirely satisfied by it. Like with Midnight's Children, I like Rushdie's writing style and the slightly non-linear storytelling. There were some funny bits that make fun of how cynical and disillusioned New Yorkers can be: even as these fantastical things are happening, New Yorkers are like, "Meh, it's probably just a promo for some movie/opera/product." I like the recurring theme that our identities are informed by the stories we tell about ourselves and who we are can also affect how we tell a story (like that cliche about how history is written by the victors). I think the part that didn't satisfy me entirely was the idea that humans are be better off without religion, and I'm not convinced it's that simple. I definitely think that humans are better off without religious *extremism*, but the problem is not religion itself, it's that humans are tribalistic and we often hurt people who aren't like us. Even if religion didn't exist, we would just find other ways to divide ourselves into groups like by skin color or language or class. Anyway, the idea that if humans just "grew out" of religion and everything would be better just didn't feel right, so the ending just didn't work for me.
This was a fun read, and there were parts that I did like, but I didn't feel entirely satisfied by it. Like with Midnight's Children, I like Rushdie's writing style and the slightly non-linear storytelling. There were some funny bits that make fun of how cynical and disillusioned New Yorkers can be: even as these fantastical things are happening, New Yorkers are like, "Meh, it's probably just a promo for some movie/opera/product." I like the recurring theme that our identities are informed by the stories we tell about ourselves and who we are can also affect how we tell a story (like that cliche about how history is written by the victors). I think the part that didn't satisfy me entirely was the idea that humans are be better off without religion, and I'm not convinced it's that simple. I definitely think that humans are better off without religious *extremism*, but the problem is not religion itself, it's that humans are tribalistic and we often hurt people who aren't like us. Even if religion didn't exist, we would just find other ways to divide ourselves into groups like by skin color or language or class. Anyway, the idea that if humans just "grew out" of religion and everything would be better just didn't feel right, so the ending just didn't work for me.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If 2020 was a dumpster fire of ‘strangenesses’, from forest fires to storms to a global pandemic, 2021 has inured us to the idea that we’re living through the end times. I started this year with Saad Z Hossain’s brilliant ‘Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday’ and as I wait for my copy of The Cyber Mage, I decided to scratch my itch for a djinn-tastic read with the inimitable Salman Rushdie. To describe the plot of this novel is a task I am unequal to. Suffice to say, it touches on many vintage Rushdie themes - censorship, displacement, generational trauma, and identity politics, while at the same time touching on current issues of climate change, terrorism, and the plague of misogyny. Modelled off 1001 Arabian Nights, Rushdie is our modern-day Scherezade, intricately weaving story after story into a grand narrative. Reading as a reader, I was enthralled, reading as a writer, the respect I have for this author has only increased tenfold.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did not greatly enjoy this Rushdie book. I struggled to finish it, and it felt like the first 2/3rds of the story moved rather slowly. It was much like other stories of his that I’ve read: bombastic, large in scope, fantastical, and full of those dizzyingly long, exaggerated sentences. Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect much to this story, maybe for some of those same stylistic choices he’s known for. I tend to like fiction that’s a bit more grounded, and I struggle with fantasy elements in stories when I can’t see their full scope. The characters felt, for the most part, thinly realized because the scope was so broad. The ending was stronger, though.
There were also times when I felt I could hear Rushdie’s philosophical or political opinions peeking through the narrative intrusively, which I tend to dislike (ahem Dean Koontz…). I was only truly grossed out by his almost side-comment that maybe terrorists wouldn’t remain terrorists if they were ‘provided’ with willing sexual partners?? That remark was just tossed off and not a true element of the story, more evidence towards a major theme, but it was the time I came closest to not finishing.
Anyway, not bad, but not as good or powerful as Satanic Verses or Midnight’s Children.
There were also times when I felt I could hear Rushdie’s philosophical or political opinions peeking through the narrative intrusively, which I tend to dislike (ahem Dean Koontz…). I was only truly grossed out by his almost side-comment that
Anyway, not bad, but not as good or powerful as Satanic Verses or Midnight’s Children.
The master of allegory has created the fable to end all fables, a super myth that explains the struggle between religious fanatics and philosophers. It is the anti-origin story, where humans become heroes, harnessed by the djinns to fight their battles.
Started off strong, then just kind of wandered around looking for a plot. Some really great lines, though. But in the end, not worth the effort reading it. I am looking forward to some of his earlier books, which I understand are better.
I tried hard to like this book. I wanted to like this book. Rushdie is an important author with an impressive background and I bought the book without a second thought...
...but I couldn’t even finish it. The underlying story has promise and I usually love magical realism, but his language was so distracting. It was flowery and excessive and tried too hard, which made it difficult to focus on the tale he was weaving.
Note: This is entirely based on my personal preference in terms of writing styles. If you love heavily stylized and flowery prose, you will likely love this book. I prefer for the story to get to the point, and for language to be masterful yet direct.
...but I couldn’t even finish it. The underlying story has promise and I usually love magical realism, but his language was so distracting. It was flowery and excessive and tried too hard, which made it difficult to focus on the tale he was weaving.
Note: This is entirely based on my personal preference in terms of writing styles. If you love heavily stylized and flowery prose, you will likely love this book. I prefer for the story to get to the point, and for language to be masterful yet direct.
I wish I'd eye-read this instead of listening. I liked the story but the narrator could not hold my attention. During the day my mind wandered, at night I fell asleep.