Rather spooky reading at the time of the Rushdie fatwa. It was a period filled with tension and uncertainty, and this piece of writing added an extra layer of eeriness. Deserves a reread. Now that I look back, I realize it truly holds more depth and significance than I initially thought. It really is better than the three stars I’ve given it. When I first read it, it was a little over my head. The concepts and ideas presented were perhaps a bit too complex for my then understanding. But upon further reflection, I see the value and the artistry in it. It makes me want to go back and explore it again, to uncover the hidden meanings and subtleties that I might have missed the first time around.

Before delving into any discussion about this book, it's essential to share the circumstances I faced while reading it.

Due to work commitments, I was living in a sublet with a family in a different city from my hometown. Coincidentally, I began reading this book just a few days before Salman Rushdie was stabbed.

One day, after reading the book and leaving it near the window, someone in the house noticed that I was reading a banned book. When I returned from the office later that evening, I was bombarded with various judgments and questions. They wanted to know why I was reading this particular book, from which store I had purchased it, and many other inquiries. They even claimed that my faith would be lost because of this book. At one point, I was pressured into saying that I would return the book, which belonged to someone else.

That day, I was more hurt than angry. Why should someone else have the power to decide what I should or should not read? Is my faith so fragile that it can be swayed by a single book?

After calling my mother and sharing everything with her, she advised me to hide the book for now and read it when I returned home.

The funniest part is that I am still the same person I was before reading the book. The book had no impact on my faith or my thinking.

Unfortunately, I find this book to be nothing more than a'system of abuses' cleverly disguised as a work of art. There is a fine line between free speech and using writing as a means to humiliate and ridicule others in the name of spreading awareness. Free speech does not give license to be brutally offensive or ugly in expression.

Salman Rushdie is indeed a talented writer, but it was the Ayatollah who inadvertently made this book a bestseller. However, in my opinion, this is a terrible book that is not even worth the effort of a death threat. It would be far better if it were to fade into obscurity.

The story follows Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, two actors with Indian Muslim backgrounds. Farishta is a famous Bollywood superstar known for playing Hindu deities, while Chamcha has emigrated to England and works as a voiceover artist. Their paths converge when their plane is hijacked and explodes over the English Channel. Miraculously, both men are saved, but as they fall back to earth, a radical transformation occurs - Farishta takes on the personality of the archangel Gabriel, while Chamcha turns into a devil.

The controversy surrounding this book is complex. Some reviewers have claimed that it is deeply offensive, while others argue that the outrage is unjustified and blown out of proportion. In my view, Rushdie's subtle yet direct approach makes the attack on Islam quite apparent. Anyone with a basic understanding of the religion and its practices would be able to pick up on the allusions he makes.

That being said, I believe that people have the right to be offended by a book, write negative reviews, and encourage others to boycott it if they find the content objectionable. However, these rights should not extend to issuing threats. Even Islam does not condone such behavior.

One thing that I find particularly amusing (not about the book itself, but about the author) is that Rushdie wrote about this subject明知故犯. He knew full well what could or would happen after the book was published. So why did he later apologize to Muslims? It seems rather hypocritical.

Overall, I found this book extremely difficult to read. At times, it felt as though Rushdie was deliberately making things hard for the reader.

I read this book as a show of solidarity with the author. After being banned by Rajiv Gandhi’s government and forced to apologize, Rushdie faced a very difficult situation. Even some groups issued a fatwah calling for his death, which led to several failed assassination attempts on him. Therefore, my reading of this book is my statement for freedom of expression. I firmly oppose banning any book.

The Satanic Verses has a unique structure. It consists of a frame narrative, incorporating elements of magical realism. Interlaced within it are a series of sub-plots that are presented as dream visions experienced by one of the protagonists. At first, it takes some time to understand Rushdie's complex storyline and sort through the British and Indian slang. However, the effort is well worth it as it not only expands one's vocabulary but also allows one to see his logic. His writing is extremely clever and humorous, although it can be a bit challenging to follow the completely non-linear narrative at the beginning.

To be honest, I did find the book rather long and a little disjointed. But perhaps that is my own shortcoming, as I am far from being a literary genius. Overall, I still liked it and am glad that I took the time to find out what it was all about. It is a thought-provoking and engaging work that makes one think about various aspects of life, culture, and religion.

Here are a few things I picked up along the way:

I didn't understand all of it. In fact, I probably didn't understand even a sufficient amount of it. But that didn't truly matter. All that stuff I didn't understand? It was written so exquisitely and so fascinatingly that I just wanted to lie down and let Rushdie's words cascade over me. Which, erm, isn't intended to sound as erotic as it seems when I see it written that way.

There's this entire bit that involves butterflies that simply took my breath away. I could re-read that section repeatedly and never grow tired of it. I would love to write the whole section out in black Sharpie across my bedroom wall so I could gaze at it every day. Alas, we rent and I'm not interested in painting over it before we move, so my walls will remain Sharpie-free.

A fatwa, huh? For this? That both amuses me and makes me angry simultaneously. But it makes one realize the power of the written word. Next time someone tells you print is dead, or that fiction doesn't mean anything, remember that Rushdie's life was at stake for this book. It serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that literature can have.

**“The Satanic Verses” Review**

\\n  “From the beginning men used God to justify the unjustifiable.”\\n


I have long intended to read this novel. Ever since I first delved into his other magnificent work, “Midnight’s Children,” the anticipation has been building. And let me tell you, the wait was more than worth it. This novel is nothing short of extraordinary in every sense.


My initial perception was that it would be set in ancient times, with a greater emphasis on ancient deities and Islam. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a profound exploration of what it means to be alienated, particularly as an immigrant and a minority. It offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective that truly engages the reader.


This work also delves into the complex issue of how religion can be politicized. The fatwa placed on Rushdie’s head serves as a powerful reminder of how such a thing can occur. It is both tragic and ironic that the themes presented in a fictional novel could have such a profound and real impact on his life. What happened to him and those involved in the publishing and translation of this valuable work is unjust and should not be tolerated by anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, lack thereof, or political opinions.


Rushdie’s works are, without a doubt, masterpieces. “The Satanic Verses” stands among the best, second only to “Midnight’s Children.” It is a book that demands to be read, studied, and explored. So, pick it up and embark on this literary journey. You won’t be disappointed.


__________________________

If I see one comment about how I shouldn't like this book as a Muslim, or people complementing me for standing up to my faith or some nonsense like that, I AM GOING TO LOOSE IT!!!

Review to come, hopefully soon.

This is a controversial book due to the social context deeply ingrained in the story.

It didn't take me long to finish the book to understand why Salman Rushdie was and still is a hated man. Having extensively studied Arab/Middle Eastern/Islamic culture and being a former Arabic linguist, I was able to zero in on what was being written.

The controversy surrounding the Satanic Verses from a historical perspective is an entirely different discussion. I'm not confident enough to discuss them, so I'll stick to a book review.

The title is derived from the alleged verses (Surah 53:19-20) that were purportedly given to the Prophet as divine revelation. The devil tricked the Prophet by providing additional verbiage for misleading purposes. The author uses them: "Have you heard of Lat, and Manat, and Uzza, the Third, the Other? They are exalted Birds...", pg. 385.

The plot revolves around two Indian actors who fall from the sky. Their plane explodes during a terrorist hijacking after takeoff and they land in the English Channel. As they fall, they are transformed: Gibreel becomes an angel-like character closely resembling the angel Gabriel (Jibril), and Saladin transforms into a cloven-hoofed devil. From there, it gets confusing.

The controversy in the writing lies in Gibreel's dream sequences, which contain strong references to Islam:

1. The Prophet Muhammed is called 'Mahound', an alternative name for Muhammed sometimes used during the Middle Ages by Christians who considered him a devil.

2. Later, 'The Curtain, hijab, was the name of the most popular brothel in Jahilia" pg. 388, where the wives of Prophet Muhammed work. Literally, he uses their names: Ayesha, Ramlah, Hafsa, Juwairiyah, 'Mary the Copt', Sawdah, etc. "When the news got around Jahilia that the whores of The Curtain had each assumed the identity of one of Mahound's wives, the clandestine excitement of the city's males was intense", pg. 393, and "The fifteen-year-old whore 'Ayesha' was the most popular with the paying public", pg. 394.

From a readability standpoint, Salman Rushdie's writing is very disjointed, wordy, and scattered in thought. There were many times when I was lost and felt like giving up. The writing style was tedious as almost all of it mimics conversation.

Overall, I did not care for this book. My honest opinion is that Salman Rushdie was trying to激怒 people, but writers do that sometimes. I would recommend 'Shame' and 'Shalimar the Clown' as better examples of his storytelling ability. If you didn't like this book, maybe give his other works a chance. Thanks!

Salman Rushdie is indeed a rather strange individual. His writing often contains such peculiar descriptions as, “…Chamcha was going down head first, in the recommended position for babies entering the birth canal…” and “…Saladin, like a bloody lettuce, I ask you…” Moreover, he employs a plethora of big and unfamiliar words like “orotund” and “obsolescent”. All the while, I couldn't help but think, ‘wow, Salman Rushdie made a cameo appearance in the Bridget Jones’s Diary movie and he has funny eyebrows like Jack Nicholson.’

This book, unfortunately, was not a pleasant read for me. It was overly dense and far too long. I had to force myself to read a little each day as I constantly found myself reaching for other books instead. Once I managed to get past the first 100 pages, it did become marginally more interesting, but it still remained a chore to plow through. I felt that most of the scenes were drawn out to an excessive degree. I would have had a much greater appreciation for this book if the parts involving Saladin and Chamcha were reduced by a third and the sections concerning Mahound and his group of merry men and women were more substantial.

Anyway, unless you are an intellectual powerhouse (and let's face it, you probably aren't, so stop pretending) and/or have a good understanding of several aspects of Indian culture and also possess a solid working knowledge of Islam, you are setting yourself up for failure if you decide to simply sit down and casually read The Satanic Verses. I don't think that's feasible. I came close to giving up several times but persevered, largely due to this: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/anglo...

The document is nearly 100 pages long, but in my view, if you are truly committed to reading this challenging book with the aim of understanding what on earth is happening, what's an extra 100 pages? Especially if they can actually assist you in grasping and making sense of some of the opaque characters and events that populate this book. It is divided into chapters. I read the notes before commencing each new chapter and referred back to them as needed.

Obviously, scanning this document while reading the book increased the amount of time it took me to get through it. However, I have no qualms whatsoever in admitting that this book would have been well beyond my level of comprehension had I not had the help, and I don't even care.

I'm relieved to have finally finished this book.

I got to know Salman Rushdie through Ahmed Deedat and specifically through one of his books that was in my father's library and was titled "The Satanic Verses".

I don't deny that for years, ever since I first learned that there was a book titled "The Satanic Verses" written by someone, it filled me with fear and I felt shivers running through my whole body, and I refrained from reading the book or any other books by the author until the children's story "Midnight's Children" which was said to be one of the best novels.

Years later, I realized that in my behavior I was no less ignorant than the fanatics and extremists of any idea regardless of its background.

Currently, I believe in creativity no matter who it is from and of what kind. Here I emphasize creativity and not heresy.

If I had known that this novel that shook the world and brought it to its knees would be of such a low level, I would not have endured it for all this time. And if I could say something now, I would only have one sentence: "If Muslims knew the extent of the ignorance of this novel, they would not have made its author flee and become famous in that crazy way / We are indeed the ones who create labels for people."

Here on Wikipedia there is more and more information, but what caught my attention and moved me a lot were the reactions, which are actually ridiculous.

https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A2...

I was massively underwhelmed by this.

I had continuously put off reading it. However, when a friend told me that it was her favorite book, I decided to give it a try. Frankly speaking, I truly wish I hadn't bothered.

I found the writing style to be pretentious, with very little substance in the story. Although it has the potential to be brilliant as the basic framework is good, there is an excessive amount of waffle, rubbish, and unnecessary wording. As a result, it quickly becomes tedious and irritating.

Nevertheless, it has made him very rich, so good for him!

I should have read "The Satanic Verses" years ago when I purchased it. To be honest, its enormous and scandalous popularity made me hesitant to read it. I'm often let down by modern mega-bestsellers. Unfortunately, it took the heinous attack on the writer for me to finally give his work a try.

"The Satanic Verses" is an extraordinary magic tapestry woven by a virtuoso genius.

Strangely, its hybrid narrative, where a vivid portrayal of contemporary life is intertwined with the retelling of sacred mythology, made me think of Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita".

I'm not going to recount the plot or discuss the characters. Instead, here are just a few remarks on what impressed me the most about this book.

1. Salman Rushdie's writing prowess - true art that seems effortless, like Fred Astaire's dancing. ;)

2. His polymathic erudition and the richness of cultural references in the book - from quantum physics to Walter Matthau and Goldie Hawn, from Latin sources to Bollywood, just to name a tiny sample (or from Hollywood to Bollywood and much more - sorry, couldn't resist the pun). And these references are always an organic part of the narrative, never forced or overdone.

3. Salman Rushdie excels both in the panoramic scope of his story and in zeroing in on the most intimate emotions of its characters.

4. There is a great deal of wisdom scattered throughout "The Satanic Verses". For instance, I didn't anticipate finding a quote that would resonate so strongly with the current war:

"A people that has remained convinced of its greatness and invulnerability, that has chosen to believe such a myth in the face of all the evidence, is a people in the grip of a kind of sleep, or madness."

I will definitely read more of Salman Rushdie's work, and I hope he makes a full recovery and writes new books, much to the chagrin of his detractors.

P.S. Sam Dastor, who narrates the audio book version, deserves a special mention - just like one of the main characters in the book, he is "the man of a thousand voices". Superb narration, worthy of the outstanding text.

The void exists in every society, but it only surfaces during periods of transition. It has no specific destination, no striving for a goal, and no possession of any idea. All that is there is that it expresses the penetration of patience and indicates the confusion of things in society. Nevertheless, we see the void - without realizing it - is almost always subject to a small group of progressives who have a specific goal. They push these voids in the direction that suits them.

This concept put forward by Albert Camus is thought-provoking. It makes us realize that the void, which seems formless and directionless, can actually be influenced and steered by certain forces. In a society, there are always various elements and phenomena, and the void is one of them. During times of change and transition, the void becomes more prominent, reflecting the uncertainties and chaos in society. However, within this void, there are those who are able to impose their will and direct it towards a particular end. This shows the complex interplay of forces within a society and how the seemingly passive void can be actively shaped.

**Falling Angels/ Shooting Stars**

Rushdie's work is a captivating allegory, a tapestry of intertwined fables that weaves a larger and more profound story. The outer plot showcases Satan and Gabriel (anglicized by the author) undergoing a process of transformation. Meanwhile, the countless inner plots dance around a diverse range of topics. The story is masterfully written by a wordsmith who has a global command of the English language. Rushdie extends the world of Asian immigrants into his two main characters, who can be divided into two camps in any of a dozen ways. The most evident division is between those who passionately love their new land and those who merely tolerate it, perhaps even secretly despising it. If one were to pursue the plot for a central theme, the thread of the emigrant could be taken up. Or, one could seize the thread of relationships: man and woman, father and son, the poor and society. The thread of faith and doubt is also available. Eventually, one will realize that there are several skeins of thread that are intricately woven into the warp and weft of a fabric.

**The Satanic Verses** is both thought-provoking and controversial, and for good reason. It delves into complex themes of good and evil, faith and doubt, transformation and identity. The controversy stems from its inherent criticisms of the Muslim Koran and the Prophet Muhammad. The publication of the book in 1988 led to its censorship and banning in Muslim-controlled countries. The Iranian government issued a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death, after which he was hidden in exile in London for a time. The book is a complex, multi-layered work that confronts the challenges faced by immigrants in a globalized world. Although much of the story takes place in and around London, it does not focus solely on one continent.
The first chapter is truly mind-blowing! I had to read it four or five times before moving on because it was catastrophically mesmerizing. It presents two Bollywood superstar actors on a plane hijacked by terrorists, or rather, falling from the plane. Incidentally, the plane is named the Bostan, one of the paradise gardens of the Muslim faith. (Ironically, these two 'angels' or'stars' are falling from heaven or from the 'garden of paradise.' This can be interpreted in a couple of different ways.) They fall throughout this first chapter. This storyline weaves in and out of the story, moving forward and backward in time, and passing through numerous other subplots that appear as dreams and dreams within dreams, until it all comes together in the end with surprising results. However, one always finds oneself asking the same question that the author presents: Goodguy badguy? Perhaps the most haunting aspect of the story is the enduring portrayal of the love-hate relationship between the emigrant and the country he immigrates to. Despite all the hardships he endures, the immigrant loves his new home country.

Direct Quotations follow:

“It isn’t easy to be a brilliant, successful woman in a city where the gods are female but the females are merely goods.”

“The human population outnumbers the divine by less than three to one…”