Reviews

Los Versos Satánicos by Salman Rushdie

bcgg's review against another edition

3.0

Challenging, creative, fantastical, unforgettable, but too much for my limited education. I only managed about 30% of the book before giving up.

ayyo_meag's review against another edition

slow-paced

4.0

kemorrell's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

ferris_mx's review against another edition

4.0

Seemed a lot more relevant to the immigrant experience than anything else. But its portrayals and allegories to the early days of Muhammed's prophecy are not complimentary to the spiritual base of Islam. So sad, too bad.

The "angel" is far from perfect and the "devil" is not altogether bad.

It was amusing to realize that this book was written almost exactly halfway through India's existence from independence to now.

Well worth reading, and I could definitely benefit from reading again at some point.

mer1eee's review against another edition

challenging medium-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

4.5

sohva's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense 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

3.75

I think I didn't have quite enough knowledge of Islam to truly appreciate this book. It is beautiful and poetic, feels like a mad dream, but I kept feeling like I was missing references.

crystal_reading's review against another edition

Liked it, but not enough to finish it. Argh. Very convoluted story. Very surreal. I may try again sometime.

seanm's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

eastside's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

4.0

lizardkidd's review against another edition

4.0

This is the story of two men struggling with their faith, families, and the lines between good and evil. The book takes you on a journey through both mens lives, Saladin Chamcha, “the man of a thousand voices” and Gibreel Farishta, the legendary Indian movie star. Their journey ventures from Bombay to London, through Love and loss, and what’s right and wrong.

At the beginning I found it hard to concentrate and lock in, as the book leaps between both men’s stories, including their visions and dreams, making it confusing, as time frames change with each vision/dream.
After this momentary hurdle, I found myself connecting to both characters, and their stories, and I would plead with anyone who starts the book, (if they too, find it a difficult book to get into) to persist. You will be rewarded.

A lot has to be said for Rushdie’s writing. His descriptions and abundant detailing of scenes, puts the reader inside many amazing landscapes. His short but precise detailing of characters was just enough to outline and bring out particular features which stuck with me, and created a memorable picture.

Finally, would I recommend? Absolutely. Most people would have heard of this book before reading, and regardless of the backlash and critics - it’s a piece of classic storytelling, which would be a shame to miss out on.