I was initially drawn to the luxurious texture of the cover. Then I heard an interview with the author on NPR. He was so intelligent and witty (in the very best sense of the word), I said "If this man writes the way he talks, then I want to read everything he has ever written."
That being said, this book is a story, not a conversation, but intelligent and thought provoking all the same. However, I was very dissatisfied with the ending.
A stranger appears in the sultan's court claiming to be the child of the sultan's great aunt. Improbable and impossible, but the sultan is charmed and amused by the stranger so he allows him to spin out his tale. The stranger takes too long and ultimately falls out of favor. The sultan proclaims that man was a liar and proceeds to make up his own explanation of the tale which was studded with grains of truth amidst the lies. I found the sultan's conclusion to be as unsatisfactory as the strangers. It bothered me greatly at first but then I decided that I too would disregard both versions offered up and imagine my own explanation.
If I ever get a chance to talk to Salman Rushdie, this is what I would ask him about.
*On another note, I first heard the term 'memory palace' in this story which contains a very beautiful illustration of concept. Just recently, I heard the term mentioned on a BBC episode of Sherlock and my thoughts immediately flashed back to this book.*
First, I love the picture showing both book and bottle. Second, I was startled to see the name of the author. I think certain Muslims have been seriously trying to kill Salmad for some time because of his book 'Satanic Verses'. So if you get the chance to ask him those questions you have, perhaps you could do this by phone..or Skype!..just not standing in front of him! As you felt dissatisfied with a couple things after reading the book, I am dissatisfied with this famous author. On the one hand he has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his service to Literature, while on the other hand,he had to live several years under police protection for writing what the Muslim's called a blasphemous book. Even now on every Valentine's Day, he gets a card reminding him that Iran has not forgotten their intent to kill him. I would probably read his books on my kindle where no one could hear me ask for it..much less buy it!
ReplyDeleteYes, the book that cause the uproar you refer to (The Satanic Verses) came out when I was in college. That was then, this now. My freedom to read is equivalent to his freedom to write...besides I'm more likely to die in a car accident any old day on the way to work. I wouldn't be afraid to talk to such a brilliant mind (other than fear of looking stupid myself lol).
DeleteA Banned Book List was part of my religious upbringing background. Even at a young age, I rebeled about anyone telling me what I could not read! Obviously that religion is not part of my life any longer! Aside from a religious list, there is a part of Society that tells a girl from a city on the Mississippi that Huckleberry Finn should not be read because it is offensive to a certain group. I like reading the part about riding a raft on the river! You know what they say..Take what you like and leave the rest! ~ A cosmetic observation about S.Rushdie. He had surgery on his closing eyelids that would have soon effected his ability to see. It was very successful.
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