paracosm's review against another edition
4.0
This book is dense, I think that's the best way to describe it. There is so much going on all the time. Every chapter is packed with a multitude of details, events, symbols and more. The author touches on a great amount of topics including colorism, sexism, colonialism, culture, politics, and others. It's clear from the beginning that the author planned everything from the beginning, and the rusult is quite impressive.
All the characters were great. Even the minor ones were full of life and felt like real people. The main character is very interesting and a very good narrator. There is so much symbolism, metaphors and parallels that you should probably read this book more than once to get it all. The only problem is that it can get tedious after a while, but it's still worth reading.
All the characters were great. Even the minor ones were full of life and felt like real people. The main character is very interesting and a very good narrator. There is so much symbolism, metaphors and parallels that you should probably read this book more than once to get it all. The only problem is that it can get tedious after a while, but it's still worth reading.
gordonfreeman904's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
schenkelberg's review against another edition
4.0
massive and intricate and overwhelming, copious and frenetic.
triceratopper's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
silquesoleil's review against another edition
1.0
Good Lord, I am finally done and I wish I had known I was literally just 2 pages away from freedom; just as I wished someone had told me about the index of indian words that could be found right at the end of it so I wouldnt have to work with context clues. Welp.
Yeah, no, I did not enjoy this book very much although I think it should be noted that any political and social significance this novel holds is lost to me because I'm not familiar enough with these topics. It's not a book you read for fun, at least I don't think so and I am not exactly a fan of books that are not enjoyable by nature.
The erratic hinting towards things that were yet to come was confusing at best and just generally bad style. I know it was probably supposed to tell the reader something about Saleem's state of mind but it was wayyy too overdone.
I'm done. I'm glad I'm done. That's all I can say.
Yeah, no, I did not enjoy this book very much although I think it should be noted that any political and social significance this novel holds is lost to me because I'm not familiar enough with these topics. It's not a book you read for fun, at least I don't think so and I am not exactly a fan of books that are not enjoyable by nature.
The erratic hinting towards things that were yet to come was confusing at best and just generally bad style. I know it was probably supposed to tell the reader something about Saleem's state of mind but it was wayyy too overdone.
I'm done. I'm glad I'm done. That's all I can say.
emmiejayne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sarahsays's review against another edition
Do I rate for my enjoyment of the book or the book's educational/historical/allegorical brilliance?
The read was slow-going, frustrating at times, but I'm glad I read it. I feel smarter. My hunch is if I dig into India's history, I'd appreciate it that much more.
The read was slow-going, frustrating at times, but I'm glad I read it. I feel smarter. My hunch is if I dig into India's history, I'd appreciate it that much more.
laurassc's review against another edition
2.0
The historical background and the idea behind this book are really good. However, the writing is (and there is no better word to say it) extremely boring! I had high expectations, as Salman Rushdie is so acclaimed, but the experience of reading this book was very painful. It is confusing, the timelines are not well explained, a lot of Indian names and words are used that complicate the process of reading, and the main character lacks a strong personality. In sum, totally not worth it. I only finished it because I am one of those who do not give up on books.
timahoi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ishan_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0