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pqtrick's review against another edition
5.0
What an enchantingly wonderful book! Haroun and the Sea of Stories is, for all intents and purposes, a children's story with a happy ending, yet it is impossible not to notice Rushdie's profound sadness and personal struggles being percolated amongst the pages. It's a story that's brimming with imagination. It's a story that is poignantly allegorical. And for Rushdie's first novel since the fatwā ordering his execution was declared, this is a Story That Can't Be Missed.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
A quick, charming romp through an Oriental fantasy world, blending the silliness of Alice in Wonderland with, occasionally, the sentimentality of Peter Pan (uses similar shadow and lagoon imagery). It's plot structure echoes the Wizard of Oz and reads at a comprehension level hovering near the Chronicles of Narnia. The Sea of Stories is a playful ode to the essential role of stories ("What use is a story if it isn't true?!?").
I appreciate it's challenge to literalists, fundamentalists, and material-realists. We need metaphor. It gives us voice and clarity.
This book came to my attention too late and was finished too early.
(Also, Rushdie does a great service here, advocating so unabashedly for freedom of expression and the importance of free speech. More speech. More stories. More subversion of authority. More diversity of voices.)
I appreciate it's challenge to literalists, fundamentalists, and material-realists. We need metaphor. It gives us voice and clarity.
This book came to my attention too late and was finished too early.
(Also, Rushdie does a great service here, advocating so unabashedly for freedom of expression and the importance of free speech. More speech. More stories. More subversion of authority. More diversity of voices.)
howiliv's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
whimsicalmeerkat's review
1.0
This goes alongside Grimus in the category of Salman Rushdie books I wish I had never read. Disappointing is a massive understatement. Just flat-out poorly told and written is closer to the truth, as far as I am concerned.
jof68's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
I can objectively see that this was a good book, but I didn't enjoy it all that much. It had a really cool concept, and I could tell the author put a lot of thought into how the world worked, however, it was very surface level to me.
Haroun's dad, Rashid, is an amazing storyteller known far and wide as the Shah of Blah. But, after a sad incident hits the family he loses his ability to tell stories. Luckily for him, Haroun is given the chance to get it back. Unluckily for Haroun, the Sea of Stories - where he must go - is on the brink of war.
Going back to what I said about surface level, the suspense is severely lacking in the whole book. There's a whole war at the center, but there aren't enough stakes for me to care. The characters are quirky little mouthpieces for clever dialogue. They all lack proper motivation or personality. I couldn't get invested in their plight as a result.
And like I said a lot of work definitely went into the world building, however, it was more concerned with the technical processes of the world rather than the practicalities of a kingdom. For example, I didn't know how the people made any money or if there was a class system or where Haroun fell if there *was* a class system. There was no sense in either place (Haroun's home city or the fantastical one he visits) of what everyday life was like - a key component of most characters as their mindset generally reflects their environment.
The ending was majorly anti-climactic. Even after adjusting my expectations once I figured out the book wasn't going to give me what I wanted, I still felt it was underwhelming. It didn't seem like a proper resolution.
The writing style is one I'm starting to think I'm just growing out of; the simple, loose prose that keeps you from caring about anything too deeply. It's supposed to be fun (think Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz) but I just found it taxing after a while. I wanted actual development instead of thinly veiled political references wrapped in puns and turn of phrase. It felt like the unconventional writing took precedence over the plot.
That being said, I also recognize that the book was intended to be written that way. I didn't like it, but in this specific case it wasn't actually a *bad* writing choice. It just wasn't the right one for me. I also believe I was missing added cultural context that could have elevated the experience for me.
So not a bad book. It's honestly a quick read, but I kept getting bored and would start reading other stuff instead. I'd say if you enjoy a SEQUEL to Alice in Wonderland or Wizard of Oz, respectively, then you're more inclined to be alright with the writing and as such like this particular book.
Haroun's dad, Rashid, is an amazing storyteller known far and wide as the Shah of Blah. But, after a sad incident hits the family he loses his ability to tell stories. Luckily for him, Haroun is given the chance to get it back. Unluckily for Haroun, the Sea of Stories - where he must go - is on the brink of war.
Going back to what I said about surface level, the suspense is severely lacking in the whole book. There's a whole war at the center, but there aren't enough stakes for me to care. The characters are quirky little mouthpieces for clever dialogue. They all lack proper motivation or personality. I couldn't get invested in their plight as a result.
And like I said a lot of work definitely went into the world building, however, it was more concerned with the technical processes of the world rather than the practicalities of a kingdom. For example, I didn't know how the people made any money or if there was a class system or where Haroun fell if there *was* a class system. There was no sense in either place (Haroun's home city or the fantastical one he visits) of what everyday life was like - a key component of most characters as their mindset generally reflects their environment.
The ending was majorly anti-climactic. Even after adjusting my expectations once I figured out the book wasn't going to give me what I wanted, I still felt it was underwhelming. It didn't seem like a proper resolution.
The writing style is one I'm starting to think I'm just growing out of; the simple, loose prose that keeps you from caring about anything too deeply. It's supposed to be fun (think Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz) but I just found it taxing after a while. I wanted actual development instead of thinly veiled political references wrapped in puns and turn of phrase. It felt like the unconventional writing took precedence over the plot.
That being said, I also recognize that the book was intended to be written that way. I didn't like it, but in this specific case it wasn't actually a *bad* writing choice. It just wasn't the right one for me. I also believe I was missing added cultural context that could have elevated the experience for me.
So not a bad book. It's honestly a quick read, but I kept getting bored and would start reading other stuff instead. I'd say if you enjoy a SEQUEL to Alice in Wonderland or Wizard of Oz, respectively, then you're more inclined to be alright with the writing and as such like this particular book.
jmcook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
windblumereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.5