Reviews

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

nohadon's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A wonderful children’s tale that weaves in themes from the real world in a masterful way, Haroun and the Sea of Stories would be a wonderfully gentle introduction for a child to many hardships of the real world, including messages on political hardships, gender differences, and complicated family lives. Haroun never fails to keep the overall tone lighthearted and sweet though, ensuring that this book is still child-approachable. 

Best quote:

To give a thing a name, a label, a handle; to rescue it from anonymity, to pluck it out of the Place of Namelessness, in short to identify it—well, that's a way of bringing the said thing into being.

danarovo's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

A fantasy adventure from the viewpoint of Haroun Khalifa, a child who is trying to deal with his mother leaving him and his dad for another man. Will he "grow up" and accept that life is dull, serious, and factual? Or will he find his way back to his imagination?

It was delightful to read. The author uses diverse language and made-up words that makes the story alive. Each character has a unique way of talking that was delivered so good I had a unique voice for each of them in my had. (I can still hear Butt the Hoopoe's mechanical bird voice in my head saying "Va va vroom. No problem".)

shaunnow38's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

pwomack12's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.25

violinknitter's review against another edition

4.0

Some of the narrator’s choices were annoying, but overall I really liked the book.

caitpoytress's review against another edition

3.0

I loved the first 2/3 of this book, but by the end it had lost a bit of it's luster. Nevertheless, it was a creative and enjoyable story.

bluenemesis's review against another edition

5.0

read this book.

leslielu67's review against another edition

5.0

Simply delightful! Did this Rushdie guy ever write anything else?

michahbella's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

olicooper's review against another edition

4.0

This man never ceases to amaze me. I am in love with everything I have ever read by him, and this children's story is no exception. Light-hearted and fun, many laughs, rife with symbolism and allegory I have learned to love from Rushdie.

For those that never read any Rushdie, this would be a good place to start. Because it is technically a book for children, it is short and easily digestible, and you won't be disappointed.