I really don't know what to say. This book took me so long to finish that I felt like I've lost my reading speed. I started this book in August and look, it's halfway through November already. I can't blame entirely on this book because I've been busy with other things like sewing, studies and assignments, but never in my entire life had I took so long to finish a book like this. It's not the pages, nor the story that slowed me down. It was the writing of Salman Rushdie that dragged me through hell.
If you ask what genre it is, "Midnight's Children" is a historical-fantasy-fiction novel. You may say 'that looks like an interesting mix' and you're darn right. This is the story of Saleem, who, having born at midnight of Indian Independence, was gifted with a special power just like the rest of midnight's children. Through Saleem's eyes, the history of India will unfold revealing the religious, societal, political and humane ideas and values. Along with a country filled with secrets, Saleem uncovers the secrets of his life and the life around him.
I've always thought of Rushdie as a major figure in modern literature and I've been itching to read a book of his and I must say that he somehow did manage to make a great impression which I'll never forget in my life. The first impression is sort of negative... Okay, wait, let's not sugarcoat it. The first 'impression' is painfully negative because I really don't understand why in the world is he rambling without any course. He gives twenty examples in place of a single one. He gives insane details on things irrelevant, to the story which neither increments the plot nor gives anything new to the characters. Halfway through the book, I no longer wanted to know what the hell happens to Saleem; all thanks to Rushdie's writing. The second 'impression' is good. There were times when I felt like he really brought out excellent comparisons like when he explains about Goa being a pimple on Mother India (which in all sense means Goa's size).
As of whole, if you can bear with the ramblings then 'Midnight's Children' is all yours but if you're like me and want it to be short and interesting then I would ask you to stay a feet away from this one.
