Journal Entry 1 by teenie-k from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Monday, August 10, 2009

Cover art on this copy is different from that shown above. This copy has a cream colored background with red strips at the top and bottom saying "25th anniversary edition" and "Winner of the Booker Prize" respectively. It has a picture of a jointed snake cradling two infants.

This book not only won the booker prize in 1981, but won the "Booker of Booker's" in 1993, and in 2008 it won the "Best of the Booker".

The story follows a boy born at the same moment of India's independence. His life and that of his nation are intertwined, in many ways. He is also able to communicate with every other child born to that country in it's first hour of independence, each of them with a magical gift of their own.

To be honest, I struggled with this book (hence the poor rating). I do believe however, that it was due to an error in timing on my part. I started this book at a very hectic time, full of interruptions and distractions, and therefor failed to connect meaningfully with the characters.

I do hope the next reader is able to enjoy it for the great work that it is. 

Journal Entry 2 by teenie-k at Park Theatre & Movie Cafe- Winnipeg OBCZ in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Monday, August 10, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (8/11/2009 UTC) at Park Theatre & Movie Cafe- Winnipeg OBCZ in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I am bringing this book to the August meet-up of local bookcrossers at our Official Bookcrossing Zone at the Park Theatre Movie Cafe. If none of the other members attending take home this book, it will be left on the shelf at the end of the meeting.

Hello lucky reader.

You are holding a special book. A book that wants to be read by many different readers, and wants it previous readers to know where it has been. Please consider making a journal entry – you can remain anonymous if you like, and it costs nothing.

I hope you will consider joining this global book club, and if you do, I hope you will list me – teenie-k, as your referring member. Basic membership is free, and bookcrossing is a lot of fun.

You may do what you like with this book, but I hope you will consider passing it on, to a friend, co-worker, family, or just leave it somewhere new for someone else to find. If you have become a member, you might get to read about this book’s future adventures!

Happy Reading,
teenie-k
Winnipeg, MB, Canada

 

Journal Entry 3 by mrsgaskell from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I've long felt that I should read something by Salman Rushdie and this is the title that always comes to mind when I think about it. So, here's the perfect opportunity! I'm not sure whether I'll like it or not, having somewhat of a checkered experience with Booker prize winners, but I'll give it a go. Thanks for bringing this to the meeting, teenie-k! 

Journal Entry 4 by mrsgaskell at Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada on Sunday, July 18, 2010

This is an impressive literary work but I have mixed feelings about it. I was drawn into the book finding it extremely interesting although somewhat difficult to read. It required effort and attention on the part of the reader but that effort was rewarded initially. As my reading progressed, however, I found the book increasingly confusing and somewhat tedious and began to look forward to being finished. I began to nod off on occasion, too. The part in the jungle had me completely lost. Admittedly, some of the references were probably over my head – I have only a general familiarity with Indian/Pakistan/Bangladeshi politics and history. But the manner of telling the story was also much less accessible than the works of Rohinton Mistry for example. At the same time, I think it was brilliant to have Saleem Sinai born at the stroke of midnight on August 15th, 1947, at the very moment of Indian independence, and to have his life parallel the history of his nation. He and the other Midnight Children and their special gifts held such promise for this new nation. There was a fascinating cast of characters, a colourful portrait of life in India with much human interest and a great deal of humour set against a background of political, religious, and historical turbulence.
The bottom line is probably that this is an excellent novel but one that I didn’t like it as much as I would have hoped to. Perhaps I should have chosen something lighter for cruise ship fare.
 

Journal Entry 5 by mrsgaskell at Ship's Library in Royal Caribbean - Rhapsody of the Seas, -- Ports, Waterways & Ships -- International Waters on Sunday, July 18, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (7/14/2010 UTC) at Ship's Library in Royal Caribbean - Rhapsody of the Seas, -- Ports, Waterways & Ships -- International Waters

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I released this in the ship's library on Deck 7, on the Rhapsody of the Seas while on an Alaskan Cruise. There's a book exchange shelf in the library ad that's where I left this.

Welcome to Bookcrossing! I hope you'll enjoy this book and explore the Bookcrossing site. It's loads of fun, as you can track your released books in their travels, possibly all over the world! Please let us know that you've found the book, what you thought of it and if possible, where you might re-release it when you're done so it can continue its journey.
 

Journal Entry 6 by davidmackrory at Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Province Argentina on Monday, August 22, 2011

I caught this book in the ship's library of the Star Princess in January 2010 during a 16 day Antarctic cruise out of Buenos Aires.I found it difficult to get into,and I'm afraid I put it on one side for over a year and forgot about it.Recently came across it again and persevered just a little bit harder,and found it a wonderful book.It reignited my interest in India,and I hope to go back there again next year.I have passed the book along to my son serving with Nato forces in Europe/North Africa,and look forward to seeing where it goes from there.I have been an avid reader for 50+ years,but never heard of BookCrossing before.What a wonderful idea.Thankyou all for sending this book my way.