Journal Entry 1 by LittleSuz from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, September 17, 2007

From the back cover:

"Born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, at the precise moment of India's independence, the infanct Saleem Sinai is celebrated in the Press and welcomed by Prime Minister Nehru himself. But this coincidence of birth has consequences Saleem is not prepareed for: telepathic powers that connect him with 1,000 other 'midnight's children' - all born in the initial hour of India's independence - and an uncanny sense of smell that allows him to sniff out dangers others cannot percieve. Inextricably linked to his nation, Saleem's biography is a whirlwind of disasters and triumphs that mirrors the course of modern India at its most impossible and glorious." 

Journal Entry 2 by LittleSuz from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, September 17, 2007

It took me a little while to get into this story but God it was worth it! Rushdie uses an unusual narrative technique whereby the narrator (Saleem) self-consciously tries to tell the story of his life but is unable to stop himself from darting backwards and forwards in time frames as memories are jogged or events such as his relationship with the 'Dung Goddess' Padma distract him whilst writing. Until I got used to this style, I was a very confused reader indeed...

But the story told is brilliant, mirroring the history of India itself. Saleem is upfront about his connection to the country. Sometimes events in India have conspired to make significant changes to his own life, and on other times he himself has indirectly changed the course of the country's history through innocent actions throughout his childhood. As the novel goes on, Saleem's ego seems to become ever larger and Rushdie leave it entirely to the reader whether or not to accept his tale at(fictional) face value or dismiss it as the ravings of a deluded fool. Personally, I preferred the former approach but it could work both ways.

This edition comes with an interesting introduction by Rushdie that explains some of the political and legal controversy which the novel became embroiled in when first published. I'd recommend to any future reader to save this until after they've read the book as with most literary introductions, it gives away a fair few plot surprises.

Overall this is a great read, though not an easy one. It's worth spending some time over (and possibly swotting up on some post-independence Indian history beforehand).

Reserved for my partner before releasing at a meetup. 

Journal Entry 3 by LittleSuz at The Tun, Holyrood Road in Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (11/5/2009 UTC) at The Tun, Holyrood Road in Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

To be released at the Edinburgh meetup.

If you are new to bookcrossing - welcome and congratulations for finding a book! Please leave a journal entry to let me and any other readers know where it has gone and what you thought of it. 

Journal Entry 4 by LittleSuz from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, November 22, 2009

This wasn't piucked up at the meetup so I've sent it as a surprise rabck for voveryte. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 5 by voveryte from Rotherhithe, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, November 29, 2009

What a wonderful and unexpected RABCK! Thank you so much LittleSuz!