Customer Reviews

Salman Rushdie's "The Satanic Verses": A Study Guide from Gale's "Novels for Students" (Volume 22, Chapter 10)

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Although Salman Rushdie is lauded internationally by readers and critics alike as one of the greatest living fiction authors (His novel "Midnight's Children" was recently awarded the Man Booker Award for best novel of the last quarter-century!), his books are not necessarily easy to comprehend, especially to first-time readers. This was certainly the case for me when I began reading "The Satanic Verses" (hereafter TSV). Beyond the controversy the book caused upon its publication twenty years ago, TSV is a worthwhile read, if only because it is so creative and unusual in terms of its plot and characters.

That said, Rushdie is a somewhat scholarly and intellectual writer, and, as such, there are many scattered references to history and culture contained within the writing that are not evident to those without a rather comprehensive understanding the background upon which the work was written. This was the situation I was in when attempting to read TSV, when I came upon this study guide. Although I am not a student, this download was really an enjoyable read in and of itself, as it was quite comprehensive in laying out the history of the author and his background, as well as his writing style. In addition, the guide goes through every chapter of the book, introducing the characters and explaning their actions. Finally, the guide gives a decent annotation of many of the expressions and events portrayed as the book progresses, in relation to their historic and cultural basis, as well as the symbolism introduced by the author.

It is not necessary to read this guide if one wants to enjoy TSV, but with it, the book becomes much more enjoyable and a deeper experience to the reader. Recommended.