You know i like to read a lot. But lately I have been struggling to finish this novel, Midnight’s Children by controversial author Salman Rushdie. It seems I am not able to concentrate, probably the literary level is too much for me to understand, as my English level is not expert’s standard yet. It is a great novel nevertheless.
This is a 544 page book which won the esteemed Booker Prize in 1981. In my own understanding, Midnight’s Children is a masterpiece. Full of surprises and twists.
The storyline is about 2 kids who were born at the stroke of midnight on 15th August 1947. This is the day of independence from the British and the 2 kids came into the world at this defining moment for this huge country.
The book goes in the form of memoir of Saleem, one of the 2 kids, as he looked back into his life. Because of the unique moment of his birth, he is endowed with special magic powers like telepathy, as did all the other 1001 kids born in that stroke of midnight.
The novel begins in a conversational tone, with Saleem almost unwilling to reveal the truth of his existence. He continues into the past generations of his family in Kashmir that affected his life’s course prior to birth. He progresses into tales of childhood, including the discovery of midnight’s power and the other children to whom Saleem is connected.
The setting of the novel is Bombay, which is the author’s birthplace. On the whole, Salman Rushdie writes a magnificent novel that is culturally enlightening and entertaining. He incorporates a bit of dark humor to lighten the serious tone of much of the narrative. The is depth in the character and as I read iit, it somehow transported me into the old India. I had in my mind of how it looks like while I was reading this book.
Highly recommended if you like to read epic novels!
