Thursday, August 25, 2022

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie -- BOOK BEGINNINGS

 

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS

I can't believe that it will be September next week! Kids are going back to school. It is still full-on summer here in Oregon. I haven't had a twinge of autumn yearning yet and it usually hits me by now. Are you still in summer mode or thinking of sweater weather? 

It doesn't matter if you are still reading your beach books or have made a seasonal switch. Please share the opening sentence (or so) of the book you are reading this week here on Book Beginnings on Fridays. You can also share from a book you feel like spotlighting. 

MY BOOK BEGINNING

“To be born again,” sang Gibreel Farishta tumbling from the heavens, “first you have to die.”

-- The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie.

This book has been on my TBR shelf forever. I finally decided to read it with my ears and put the audiobook on hold at my library several months ago. But I kept delaying the hold because I didn't have the energy for a 22 hours of magic realism, which is not my favorite genre.  

But after Rushdie was viciously attacked earlier this month, I knew I had to finally read it. My library hold popped up again, so I am listening to the audiobook. Like Midnight's Children, Rushdie's other famous novel, The Satanic Verses is magical, complicated, funny, outrageous, and brilliant. I should have read it earlier. I'm glad I'm reading it now. 


YOUR BOOK BEGINNINGS

Please add the link to your Book Beginnings post in the linky box below and use the #bookbeginnigns hashtag if you share on social media. Thanks for playing along!

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THE FRIDAY 56

Another fun Friday event is The Friday 56. Share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of your book, or 56% of the way through your e-book or audiobook, on this weekly event hosted by Freda at Freda's Voice.

MY FRIDAY 56

From The Satanic Verses:
Damn you, India, Saladin Chamcha cursed silently, sinking back into his seat. To hell with you, I escaped your clutches long ago, you won’t get your hooks into me again, you cannot drag me back.
Have you read The Satanic Verses? What did you think?


12 comments :

  1. Like you, I've long felt I should have read the book. Glad you are enjoying it.

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  2. I've never read this book. Perhaps it's time I do. Thank you for sharing it.

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    1. It's much funnier than i expected, although I should have known it would be because Midnight's Children was funny too.

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  3. I've also started reading Rushdie again. The attack was such a stark reminder of how powerful literature is but also how important it is to keep reading books like that! The Satanic Verses is on my list next! Thanks for hosting and I hope you have a lovely weekend :)
    Juli @ A Universe in Words

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    1. Exactly! It's hard to imagine that he was attacked after all these years, but he is gravely injured and will never fully recover (lost eye, etc.). I feel like reading the book is the least I can do!

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  4. I haven't read this one yet. I should add it to my list. Have a great weekend!

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    1. It's crazy fun. If you like magic realism, it would be Best Book Ever.

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  5. He is a one-of-a-kind writer... that's for sure. This is a great book, indeed. Happy weekend!

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  6. I hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend.

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  7. I keep telling myself to read some Rushdie, especially after his attack. Good for you. My quotes come from LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY

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  8. I wanted to read this book years ago when it first made such a splash but still haven't gotten to it. I still want to read it! Glad you're enjoying it!

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