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Midnight's Children

A tale of extraordinary children and a nation's journey

Salman Rushdie author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Vintage Publishing

Published:1st May '08

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Midnight's Children cover

This novel follows Saleem Sinai, whose birth coincides with India's independence, connecting him to a group of extraordinary children. Midnight's Children explores themes of identity and history.

In Midnight's Children, the narrative unfolds around Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment of India's independence. This extraordinary timing grants him unique telepathic abilities that connect him with 1,000 other children born in that pivotal hour. Each of these 'midnight's children' possesses their own remarkable gifts, creating a tapestry of stories that reflect the complexities of a nation in flux.

As Saleem navigates his life, he becomes a living embodiment of India’s tumultuous history, experiencing the highs and lows that parallel the country's journey. The novel intricately weaves together personal and political narratives, showcasing how the fate of its characters is intertwined with the fate of the nation itself. Saleem's adventures are filled with magical realism, allowing readers to explore themes of identity, memory, and the impact of history on individual lives.

Midnight's Children is not just a tale of one boy's life; it is a profound commentary on the nature of storytelling and the shared experiences that shape a culture. With its rich prose and imaginative storytelling, this novel has earned its place as a classic in contemporary literature, celebrated for its depth and insight into the human condition.

A wonderful, rich and humane novel that is safe to call a classic. * Guardian *
Midnight's Children is also full of such zest for every messy aspect of life that you can't help but feel inspired * Guardian *
Rushdie’s novel took a post-colonial “empire fights back” spirit, and a deep personal understanding of the politics of Indian partition, and exploded them into something teeming with imaginative life… He inhabits a hybrid consciousness, with a telepathic connection to the other children of midnight, and tells its stories for all he is worth. * Observer *
The extraordinary alchemy of Midnight’s Children was its miraculous fusion of the fantastical and the historical. * Evening Standard *
A magical-realist reflection of the issues India faced post-independence including culture, language, religion, and politics… It’s a truly incredible work. * Verdict *

  • Short-listed for Best of the Booker 2008

ISBN: 9780099511892

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 33mm

Weight: 484g

672 pages