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52 pages 1 hour read

The Satanic Verses

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988

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Book Brief

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Salman Rushdie

The Satanic Verses

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988
Book Details
Pages

576

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

India And England • 1980s

Publication Year

1988

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie follows Bollywood actor Gibreel Farishta and voice actor Saladin Chamcha, who survive a terrorist bombing on a flight from India to the UK and undergo supernatural transformations: Gibreel becomes an angel, and Saladin a demon. The narrative intertwines their journey with dream sequences involving Mahound, an allegory of the Prophet Muhammad, and various other characters. The novel caused significant controversy due to its depiction of the Prophet Muhammad.

Mysterious

Challenging

Fantastical

Emotional

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

72,019 ratings

63%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Critics praise The Satanic Verses for its imaginative storytelling and cultural commentary, blending fantasy with real-world issues. However, some find its narrative complex and challenging, potentially alienating readers unfamiliar with its references. Despite controversy, it remains a notable work in modern literature for its bold themes and literary ambition.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Satanic Verses?

A reader who would enjoy Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses is likely interested in complex, thought-provoking narratives that blend magical realism with political and cultural commentary. Fans of Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude or Haruki Murakami's works would find it similarly compelling.

4.0

72,019 ratings

63%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

576

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

India And England • 1980s

Publication Year

1988

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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