Salman Rushdie holds the literary world in awe with a jaw-dropping catalog of critically acclaimed novels that have made him one of the world's most celebrated authors. Winner of the prestigious Booker of Bookers, Midnight's Children tells the story of Saleem Sinai, born on the stroke of India's independence. "One of the most important books to come out of the English-speaking world in this generation."-New York Review of Books
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"DO NOT READ THIS DREAMY NOVEL IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, a mistake that I committed. The intoxication will be magnified tenfold. Haunted by sleep-filled days and sleepless nights, I read Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children well into the night, entangled in the story of Saleem Sinai---Snotnose, Cucumbernose, My-piece-of-the-moon---one of the 1001 "midnight's children" born at the stroke of midnight when India proclaimed its independence. This novel gives voice to the many contradictions that is India, the novelist trying to grasp the ungraspable by fusing myth and history (because there simply is no other way). In some parts playful and in some parts steeped with lyrical melancholy, Rushdie's writing hypnotizes the reader until the very last page. But what makes this novel relevant to us, Filipino readers: It is easy to see the similarities between India and our nation, both postcolonial countries dealing with the difficulties of forging an identity after independence and making sense of the incongruities between our past and our present. But beyond this, we are left with a feeling that we are all midnight's children, minus the superhuman powers; we are all agents and victims of history! No wonder this book won the 1981 Booker Prize, the 1993 Best of the Booker, and the 2008 Booker of Booker. Comparable to, I think, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude, this novel, together with his fantastic oeuvre, can easily win for Rushdie the Nobel Prize for Literature (if only the Swedish Academy can see beyond the "scandal" of The Satanic Verses)!" — Maiq (5 out of 5 stars)
"DO NOT READ THIS DREAMY NOVEL IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, a mistake that I committed. The intoxication will be magnified tenfold. Haunted by sleep-filled days and sleepless nights, I read Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children well into the night, entangled in the story of Saleem Sinai---Snotnose, Cucumbernose, My-piece-of-the-moon---one of the 1001 "midnight's children" born at the stroke of midnight when India proclaimed its independence. This novel gives voice to the many contradictions that is India, the novelist trying to grasp the ungraspable by fusing myth and history (because there simply is no other way). In some parts playful and in some parts steeped with lyrical melancholy, Rushdie's writing hypnotizes the reader until the very last page. But what makes this novel relevant to us, Filipino readers: It is easy to see the similarities between India and our nation, both postcolonial countries dealing with the difficulties of forging an identity after independence and making sense of the incongruities between our past and our present. But beyond this, we are left with a feeling that we are all midnight's children, minus the superhuman powers; we are all agents and victims of history! No wonder this book won the 1981 Booker Prize, the 1993 Best of the Booker, and the 2008 Booker of Booker. Comparable to, I think, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude, this novel, together with his fantastic oeuvre, can easily win for Rushdie the Nobel Prize for Literature (if only the Swedish Academy can see beyond the "scandal" of The Satanic Verses)!"
“It is the most enchanting book. And it’s such a brilliant idea: children born at the same hour who metaphorically encompass all the good and evil attributes of a new society. Rushdie writes with a true patriotism—a love for his country that’s not blind.”
“This is a book to accept on its own terms, and an author to welcome into world company…Midnight’s Children is coarse, knowing, comfortable with Indian pop culture and, above all, aggressive…Midnight’s Children sounds like a continent finding its voice…Marvelous to behold…The flow of the book rushes to its conclusion in counterpointed harmony: myths intact, history accounted for, and a remarkable character fully alive.”
“In Salman Rushie, India has produced a glittering novelist—one with startling imaginative and intellectual resources, a master of perpetual storytelling.”
“An extraordinary novel…One of the most important to come out of the English-speaking world in this generation.”
“Pure story—an ebullient, wildly clowning, satirical, descriptively witty charge of energy.”
“A marvelous epic…Rushdie’s prose snaps into playback and flash-forward…stopping on images, vistas, and characters of unforgettable presence. Their range is as rich as India herself.”
“Huge, vital, engrossing…In all senses a fantastic book.”
" I've been meaning to read this for years, and finally got around to it. Worth it. "
" My favorite book of all time. Stunning. "
" One of the most difficult book I have ever read.. "
" Ok, this is one of those books I wanted to love, feel absorbed in at the end of a long day. I know I should have given it more time, but I hope one day to have the patience to stick with it. Just too dense and too much to untangle once I've settled into bed with a toddler snuggled next to me. "
" Review forthcoming on my blog. "
" Maybe my favorite book. Gift from Clark. Mix of real world and fantasy-great writing, "
" One of my favourite books. "
" Well, after days of thinking about it, decided to stop reading. It was very good, but I just didn't seem to be getting through it. I am impressed with R's writing - it is truly beautiful!! But just can't go on, sad really :( "
" Rich and imaginative. Rushdie's command of language is inspiring and entirely his own. Reminded me of East of Eden in a strange way; crossing the generations. Just with a magical realism/Indian twist. Really good, really long, and really rewarding. "
" I loved this book. So well written and interesting. Historical and fantastical elements. Highly recommended! "
" Not an easy-to-follow story, but such a delightful experience. Its voice pervades the readers' imagination and manages to blur the limits between reality and the enchanting universe of magic which, once visited through Rushdie, cannot be abandoned. "
" I was expecting great things from this book, I was disappointed. "
" One of the best ever read ! "
" I just couldn't like this book no matter how much I wanted to. I gave it 250 pages but it's just not for me. "
" Absolutely brilliant. The richness of language and incident is truly extraordinary, his description of being lost in the mangrove swamp is unforgettable. Not an "easy" book, but unforgettable. Stick with it. "
" started on 21st of January "
" beautiful language- but the plot trajectory seems besides the point. How are they supposed to make a movie out of this book? "
" I was enjoying this book - but it was just too long. Had a break from it and then couldn't get back into it. May read again one day and finish it. "
" A wild marvelous book about a boy, Saleem Salaam who represents India and Pakistan as he is born at twelve midnight on the day of India's freedom from British rule. "
" Web of interlocking characters and events - can't remember the story or plot much except that it had a spellbinding, mystical air.... "
" Really enjoyed this book. Combines harsh reality with fantasy. "
Salman Rushdie is the author of a collection of short stories, a collection of essays, and fourteen novels, including Midnight's Children, which won the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker. He has also published four works of nonfiction and coedited two anthologies. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University. A former president of PEN American Center, hewas knighted in 2007 for services to literature.
Lyndam Gregory is an accomplished film, stage, and voice actor. He has performed a wide range of roles for the BCC Radio Drama Company and went on to have a feature role in the long-running program The Archers. His most notable stage and television credits include Star Talk, Surgical Spirit, and London’s Burning.
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