Plot Summary

The Ground Beneath Her Feet

Salman Rushdie
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The Ground Beneath Her Feet

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

Book Brief

Salman Rushdie

The Ground Beneath Her Feet

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

592

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Global • 20th Century

Topic
Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salman Rushdie is a love story about rock 'n roll, chronicling the passionate and turbulent relationship between Ormus Cama and Vina Apsara, two talented musicians, through the narrative of Umeed “Rai” Merchant, who also loves Vina. Interweaving elements of classical and Indian myths, the novel reflects on celebrity culture and existential themes of not belonging, set against an alternate reality backdrop. The narrative includes themes of murder-suicide and familial trauma.

Mysterious

Fantastical

Emotional

Contemplative

Romantic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

12,270 ratings

65%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Salman Rushdie's The Ground Beneath Her Feet presents a rich narrative filled with vivid imagery and mythological references, blending rock and roll with classical lore. Critics laud its inventive plot and lyrical prose, but some find it overly dense and unwieldy. The book's ambitious scope and Rushdie's unique voice stand out, despite occasional pacing issues.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Ground Beneath Her Feet?

Ideal for fans of magical realism and epic storytelling, readers who enjoyed Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude or Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore will be captivated by The Ground Beneath Her Feet. It blends mythology, rock 'n' roll, and global culture, appealing to those who savor richly layered narratives.

4.0

12,270 ratings

65%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

592

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Global • 20th Century

Topic
Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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