Victory City

Victory City by Booker Prize-winning and internationally bestselling author Salman Rushdie is an enchanting epic that transports readers into a world where a single woman's divine encounter spawns an extraordinary empire. The tale unfurls with the mystifying journey of Pampa Kampana, a nine-year-old girl who becomes the vessel for a powerful goddess after a seemingly inconsequential battle between two forgotten kingdoms.

Instructed by the goddess, Pampa Kampana is destined to perpetuate the rise of Bisnaga, a city that will come to be known as "victory city". Over the course of two hundred and fifty years, her life and the city's destiny are intricately linked, as she strives to fulfil the goddess’s vision of an egalitarian society where women enjoy unprecedented agency in a rigidly patriarchal world.

Yet, the narrative is a testament to the unpredictable nature of creation. As Bisnaga flourishes, it begins to transcend its origins and evolve independently of its creator's design, reflecting the complexities and unintended consequences that often accompany human ambition and divine intervention.

Salman Rushdie's masterful storytelling brings this rich and diverse realm to life, filled with vibrant characters, political intrigue, and magical realism. Weaving together history, mythology, and fiction, Rushdie explores themes of power, gender equality, and the enduring strength of narratives.

Victory City is a celebration of the power of storytelling, encapsulating how tales shape our world and legacy. It's a vivid reminder that while we might create worlds, they often escape our grasp, leading to unforeseen realms of possibility.

"Full of adventure... A celebration of the power of storytelling" - GUARDIAN

"Mesmerising" - ELIF SHAFAK, author of The Island of Missing Trees

"A total pleasure to read" - SUNDAY TIMES

"One of the planet's greatest writers" - EVENING STANDARD

"A triumph... Enthralling" - I

A FINANCIAL TIMES AND THE TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK