Rating:  Summary: Rushdie on autopilot Review: This is one of Rushdie's least successful novels. He relies too much on mythologies and puts his usually wondrous prose on autopilot. He simply becomes lazy, allowing for the readers' knowledge of mythology to inform the characters, rather than the author. All is not lost, however, as Rushdie on an off day is still enchanting. And when he writes of those loners on the outside, there is a chilling warmth to his empathy.
Rating:  Summary: One of the best novels I have ever read! Review: Definately a great novel. Salman Rushdie is not only full of imagination, but is a world-class wordsmith, and the book is full of puns and wordplay, humor, and a really good story.
Rating:  Summary: Wears Out It's Welcome Too Soon Review: This being the third Rushdie novel I've read (The Satanic Verses and The Moor's Last Sigh the other two), I have to give him credit for creating memorable characters and being a master at conveying colourful and textually-rich settings. On the other hand, I also feel he is long-winded to a fault and, particularly in the case of this book, in great need of some further judicial editing. Vina, Ormus, and Raj are all terrifically interesting characters when the reader first meets them; however, after 300 pages or so, one finds they aren't particularly likeable and the remaining half of the book just kind of chugs along without a whole lot of momentum or purpose. (I did like the final two chapters though).
Rating:  Summary: He'll be very sorry when he pass away, because of his books. Review: This man has a chance to see the truth each day on his life. If he becomes a real Muslim this will be his rescue on this world and beyond... Anyone who will read his books, must also read books about Islam to have balanced knowledge... PS: Learn about Islam and be informed...
Rating:  Summary: A love story crossing boundaries. great ! Review: His best after Midnights Children
Rating:  Summary: Rushdie rips-off Dick Review: Actually, I haven't read the book, I just wanted to express my dismay at Rushdie ripping off the real life experiences of Philip K. Dick, whose work should be read (not just appropriated):Ormus's twin brother died at birth and communicates to him from "the other side"
Rating:  Summary: Too Convoluted Review: I think Salman Rushdie lost his way with this one and I can't say I liked it as much as An Equal Music which came out at the same time. All the same, as an Indian I think it's great when Indian writers write about subjects and locales other than their home turf, and, in this respect, readers might also want to consider Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya's extraordinary debut novel, The Gabriel Club, set in Budapest and Vienna, which I liked very much and which is available on Amazon UK (amazon.co.uk) ADITYA CHAUHAN
Rating:  Summary: If you want Rushdie at his best, read Kleier Review: Rushdie had his moments with "Satanic Verses," but it's been downhill ever since. Once again, he never seems to get firm footing with "GROUND." Verbose, overwritten and self-indulgently wandering. Unquestionably, the mantle for outrageous satire has passed to Glenn Kleier, who has earned the title "The Salman Rushdie of Christianity," with his provocative ground-breaking novel, "THE LAST DAY." If you've not read Kleier, I strongly urge you to do so. He will more than entertain you until Mr. Rushdie regains his footing.
Rating:  Summary: Unfortunately Review: It is really the five stars that scare me.....this novel is only so good as you avoid all the others who have done this "genre" before. By genre I mean the rock and roll novel, the spectacle, and the myths we place upon those persons. Rushdie is about thirty years too late to pick up the mantle of Thomas Pynchon, and it shows: where TP's songs resonate with creativity, Rushdie's are more along the lines for the older Sting/ Will Smith crowd. Something I think is a mistake in the book is thinking music remains the same for all generations, that the enthusiasm is the base element in equal supply throughout. This isn't so--music takes many forms and different guises and means many different things; and it proceeds at a brutally quick pace. Rushdie would have done well to not have studied his U2 buddies so much. The world has passed them by, and what he thinks he encapsulates slips out his fingers as easily as a hand misses a chord.
Rating:  Summary: O.K. , but should have been better Review: When this book is good, it's very good. The English scenes where Rushdie writes like an accessible Pynchon are superb. Really, the first half of the book is terrific. The later problem is Rushdie is so concerned with his 'spin a yarn' conversant style that he loses touch with reality. Example : One of the major characters has a brother who is a serial killing, mass murdering lunatic. The fact this would be too huge an issue for anyone - not to mention a celebrity - to ignore is barely addressed. By the time at the novel's end when it is 'resolved' you've kind of quit caring because the whole dilemma is given, maybe 8 pages in a 600 page novel. The book has bright spots - namely the first 300 pages. It just seems Rushdie was too self conscious about writing an epic and using style over substance. Not a bad book-, but not a great one either.
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