In 'The Satanic Verses,' Salman Rushdie weaves a mesmerizing tale of transformation, faith, and identity. Following the miraculous survival of two Indian expatriates in England after a terrorist attack, the novel challenges the boundaries of religion and personal belief. Through striking allegories and controversial themes, Rushdie invites readers into a complex exploration of good and evil. The characters grapple with their cultural heritage while navigating the tumultuous waters of contemporary society. This bold narrative not only provokes thought but also ignites discussions about the nature of faith in a rapidly changing world.
By Salman Rushdie
Published: 2008
""To understand just one life, you have to swallow the world.""
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “[A] torrent of endlessly inventive prose, by turns comic and enraged, embracing life in all its contradictions. In this spectacular novel, verbal pyrotechnics barely outshine its psychological truths.”—Newsday Winner of the Whitbread Prize One of the most controversial and acclaimed novels ever written, The Satanic Verses is Salman Rushdie’s best-known and most galvanizing book. Set in a modern world filled with both mayhem and miracles, the story begins with a bang: the terrorist bombing of a London-bound jet in midflight. Two Indian actors of opposing sensibilities fall to earth, transformed into living symbols of what is angelic and evil. This is just the initial act in a magnificent odyssey that seamlessly merges the actual with the imagined. A book whose importance is eclipsed only by its quality, The Satanic Verses is a key work of our times. Praise for The Satanic Verses “Rushdie is a storyteller of prodigious powers, able to conjure up whole geographies, causalities, climates, creatures, customs, out of thin air.”—The New York Times Book Review “Exhilarating, populous, loquacious, sometimes hilarious, extraordinary . . . a roller-coaster ride over a vast landscape of the imagination.”—The Guardian (London) “A novel of metamorphoses, hauntings, memories, hallucinations, revelations, advertising jingles, and jokes. Rushdie has the power of description, and we succumb.”—The Times (London)
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“"To understand just one life, you have to swallow the world."”
The Satanic Verses
By Salman Rushdie
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Salman Rushdie is a celebrated British-Indian author known for his rich storytelling and innovative narrative techniques. His works often blend magical realism with historical fiction, exploring themes of identity, migration, and cultural conflict. Rushdie is best known for his acclaimed novels, including 'Midnight's Children', which won the Booker Prize in 1981 and the Booker of Bookers in 1993, and 'The Satanic Verses', which sparked widespread controversy and debate. With a distinctive style characterized by its lyrical prose and interwoven narratives, Rushdie has established himself as a prominent voice in contemporary literature.
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