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Midnight's Children

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie tells the story of Saleem Sinai, who is born at the exact moment India gains independence in 1947. His life is intertwined with the fate of the nation, exploring the challenges and changes that come with both personal and political upheaval. The novel blends magical realism with historical events, creating a rich, multi-layered narrative.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by rich storytelling that intertwines personal and political history, appreciate magical realism, and are keen to explore India's turbulent journey through independence as seen through the eyes of a captivating protagonist.

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Midnight's Children

WITH A NEW 40TH ANNIVERSARY INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR

Born at the stroke of midnight at the exact moment of India's independence, Saleem Sinai is a special child.

India has produced a great novelist...a master of perpetual storytelling' V.S. Pritchett, New Yorker

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie is a breathtaking feat of imagination, intricately weaving together a rich tapestry of history, magic, and personal destiny. Reissued to mark the 40th anniversary of this celebrated masterpiece, the edition features a new introduction by the author, offering fresh insights and reflections on the genesis and impact of his work.

At the heart of the novel is Saleem Sinai, born at the precise moment of India's independence from British rule. This extraordinary coincidence endows Saleem with unique telepathic abilities, allowing him to connect with 1,000 other "midnight's children" who possess their own special gifts. Through the eyes of Saleem, readers are taken on a whirlwind journey through the turbulent and transformative landscapes of postcolonial India, echoing its most glorious triumphs and tragic failures.

As Saleem navigates his extraordinary life, his fate becomes inextricably linked with that of his country. His personal struggles, triumphs, and disasters serve as a microcosm for the broader saga of modern India. The novel effortlessly blends elements of magical realism with the gritty realities of Indian history, creating a narrative that is both epic in scope and deeply intimate in its emotional resonance.

Midnight's Children delivers a richly layered narrative that challenges conventional storytelling. Rushdie's deft prose and vibrant characters draw readers into a world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, creating a compelling exploration of identity, national destiny, and the power of memory.

This 40th anniversary edition is an essential collector's item for longstanding fans and newcomers alike, offering the chance to experience—or re-experience—one of the most influential and unique novels of the 20th century. The new introduction by Rushdie adds further depth, sharing his thoughts and reflections on the creation of the novel and its enduring significance.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A wonderful, rich, and humane novel, Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children is celebrated as a classic, teeming with zest and imaginative life. The book's extraordinary alchemy lies in its miraculous fusion of the fantastical with historical narratives, reflecting the complex issues faced by India post-independence, such as culture, language, religion, and politics.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099511892

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 May 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 484g

Pages: 672

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About the Author

Salman Rushdie is the author of fifteen previous novels, including Midnight's Children (for which he won the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker), The Satanic Verses, and Quichotte (which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize). A former president of PEN American Center, Rushdie was knighted in 2007 for services to literature and was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen's last Birthday Honours list in 2022.

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