I guess everyone has to start somewhere, right?

While I have read several other novels by Salman Rushdie, which I loved, this one, which is his first published novel, just doesn't seem to make the cut. I have to say that this novel didn't give the best reading experience for me, knowing what his other books were like. It's not my most favorite Rushdie novel, and therefore if this book were the first novel of his I have read, I probably would not have read another Rushdie book. Hence, I am glad that my introduction to Rushdie's work was by way of four other novels, all of which I definitely enjoyed way better than this current one: n  The Satanic Versesn, n  The Enchantress of Florencen, n  Midnight's Childrenn, and n  Shalimar the Clownn.

So what is Grimus about?

Grimus is a fantasy and science fiction novel published in 1975. It tells the story of Flapping Eagle, a young Indian who became immortal after drinking a magical potion. He has a sister, who also became immortal. Flapping Eagle then wanders the world for 700-something years, doing various things and visiting various places. And in the end, he becomes tired and wants to die.

So, he ends up in Calf Island, which is this place where everyone who have become tired of the world but doesn't want to die somehow end up. There are a few characters here, who all interact with Flapping Eagle during his stay. Additionally, there is the character of Grimus, who seems to be the only one who knows how Flapping Eagle could eventually die. Hence, Flapping Eagle is on a mission to find Grimus, whoever he is, but the other inhabitants of the island don't seem to be interested in helping him with his mission.

I won't say more about the plot, but let's just say it was rambling, unstructured, and frankly uninteresting. It reminded me of this bad novel I read years ago, entitled n  Wild Animusn. There were several fantastic and other-worldly elements (perhaps I really am just not suited to reading fantasy) that this book springs on to the reader, and frankly, after several pages of those, I just couldn't care less. The thing is, in the other Rushdie novels, there were elements of magical realism, and in those worlds, the use of those magical realistic elements made perfect sense. Here, however, there were so many magical devices that were being introduced (especially in the final 40 pages), and it felt like they were only being introduced to make the point that this was a magical realistic novel. In Rushdie's later novels, the magical realism aspect of the novel was introduced early on (children born on midnight having superpowers, or two survivors of a plane crash morphing into an angel and a devil), and the book stayed within its assumptions. In Grimus, the assumptions just kept on changing as you turn the page over and over again. Hence, I couldn't help but feel like Rushdie overused deus ex machina as a plot device in this book, as new magical things were constantly being introduced, especially when Flapping Eagle finally reached the house of Grimus above the mountain in Calf Island.

I have to say though, that even though this is a novel that I ended up not liking, there are a few redeeming factors I'd like to talk about. I guess it is a good thing that this novel was written, because who knows, without this novel, Rushdie might not have had the chance to perfect his art, and his later masterpieces might not have been written. This novel perhaps illustrates what doesn't work, so that later novels didn't repeat them. I can identify traces of motifs that are also present in later works. For example, Rushdie already have paired characters here: in later works, plenty of his characters are paired, with one being good, the other being evil. One being the protagonist, the other being the antagonist. Examples of this paired character are Saleem and Shiva in Midnight's Children, or Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha in The Satanic Verses. In Grimus, you have Flapping Eagle paired with Grimus himself.

Overall, I guess I should say that I appreciate reading the book not for its contents, but for the fact that it provides an insight to the other novels Rushdie have written which I enjoyed reading. Definitely don't read this as the first Rushdie novel if you haven't read any of his other books and are not familiar with his writing style. This is a bad introduction to his work. But if you already have read several of his other novels and want to see where it all began, then by all means read this one. I am giving this book 2 out of 5 stars.

See my other book reviews here.

It's a ruined orgasm.

It's a debut novel, get over it.

This is Rushdie's first novel. The writing style is quite different from his other more well known novels. It is on the lines of what I prefer to term as 'collage writing'. He would eventually switch to a more lucid style from Midnight's Children onward. However, I quite enjoyed reading this. In fact this is the first ever Rushdie I read!

2.5 at best. Salman Rushdie is among my all time favorite authors. This book though. It was a book.

That Midnight’s Children followed Grimus is not only astounding but frankly should be the balm placed on the burning pride of any aspiring author staring at a pile of rejection letters.

What would later form Rushdie’s modus operandi are in their prepubescent form here: religion, culture, mythology, history and literary references.

There are some twists and enjoyable commentary on the development of the myths we tell ourselves to avoid deep truths buuuuut honestly the world should just be glad he got this out of his system and didn’t attempt science fiction again and leave this on the shelf.

I stumbled upon this book randomly. Later realised it is science fiction, a genre I avoid but ended up reading anyway. And I don't regret it. Even without the background knowledge of mythological annotations, I enjoyed reading it. It is witty, funny, and creative.

"Na vida há sempre um pico. Um momento que faz com que tudo valha a pena."

"Há um milhão de Terras possíveis com um milhão de histórias possíveis, e em que todas existem em simultâneo. No decurso de uma vida quotidiana, tecemos ligações entre elas, se quiser, mas sem destruir a existência dos passados e futuros nos quais escolhemos não entrar."

After a bit slow start, enjoyed it a lot. The idea of travelling between different levels of reality... A bit of ridicule of the ways we currently live...

Vacuous intellectual masturbation at its worst.

Rushdie's first novel contains many things instantly recognizable, wild imagination, characters that are perhaps outsized and almost cartoonish, plays on words. I guess, for me, the biggest difference is that the whole world in this novel is imaginary, so it's not magic realism, it's just magic. Worth a read if you are a big fan of Rushdie, otherwise, there are so many superior options!

Grimus, Salman Rushdie's debut novel, is a remarkable work of literature that showcases his immense talent as a storyteller and his unique ability to blend elements of science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism. Earning a well-deserved five-star rating, this captivating novel offers readers an unforgettable and thought-provoking reading experience.

The story follows Flapping Eagle, a young Native American man who embarks on a journey to find Grimus, a mysterious figure who holds the key to Flapping Eagle's immortality. After drinking an elixir that grants him eternal life, Flapping Eagle spends centuries wandering the Earth, searching for meaning and purpose. His quest eventually leads him to Calf Island, a strange and magical place governed by a set of enigmatic rules, where he encounters a cast of peculiar characters and begins to unravel the mysteries of his own existence.

Rushdie's writing in Grimus is imaginative and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the fantastical world he has created. His prose is infused with wit, humor, and a deep sense of empathy, making for a truly immersive reading experience. The novel's exploration of themes such as immortality, identity, and the search for meaning is both captivating and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the human condition.

The characters in Grimus are richly drawn and deeply human, each one brought to life with nuance and complexity. Rushdie has an uncanny ability to create memorable, multidimensional characters that resonate with readers on an emotional level. From the enigmatic figure of Flapping Eagle to the inhabitants of Calf Island, the novel's characters are unforgettable and deeply human.

What truly sets Grimus apart, however, is its exploration of the themes of identity and the nature of existence. Through the intricate journey of Flapping Eagle, Rushdie examines the ways in which our quest for understanding and meaning can shape the course of our lives and the world around us. As the novel delves into the complexities of human nature, I found myself reflecting on the forces that drive us and the choices that define us.

In conclusion, Grimus is a masterful work of literature that showcases Salman Rushdie's extraordinary talent as a storyteller. With its captivating narrative, unforgettable characters, and insightful exploration of identity and the human spirit, this novel is a true testament to Rushdie's literary genius. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an engrossing, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant reading experience. Five stars well earned.

too otherwordly novel to regret reading it, but too fantastic (not in the best sense) to have actually enjoyed it - my impression is that the author tried too much to produce something hyperoriginal, and failed to deliver a product that can be enjoyed at a superficial level