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avesmaria's review against another edition
3.0
A short, entertaining light read that is like a hybrid of the Phantom Tollbooth, Dr. Seuss, and 1001 Arabian Nights in its references to storytelling, rhymes, and silliness. Would be totally appropriate for children/YA as well as adults.
kimananda's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
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
mjspice's review
Aside from being a mouthpiece for Islamophobic and zi0nist propaganda, he was abusive to his ex wife even to she had health issues
https://twitter.com/shilparathnam/status/1796010893756752267?t=-F5E7hr9YeqLrqRgeudwsQ&s=19
#SaveAndFreePalestine
https://twitter.com/shilparathnam/status/1796010893756752267?t=-F5E7hr9YeqLrqRgeudwsQ&s=19
#SaveAndFreePalestine
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
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