CLICK HERE to read my review of Midnight’s Children the Movie
Our slow and flexible read-along of Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie begins today. How slow? Here’s the plan. Each section about 130 pages is to be covered in a month from March to June. On the last day of each month, we post our reading response to that part:
March 31 — Book One
April 30 — Book Two (Part A ending with ‘Alpha and Omega’)
May 31 — Book Two (Part B starting with ‘The Kolynos Kid’)
June 30 — Book Three
How flexible? I’m not even calling them ‘reviews’. Let’s just share our thoughts as we read along. You can still continue with your regular blogging activities. And if for any reasons, you can’t keep up, don’t worry. If you miss writing a post, feel free to visit others’ and join in the discussion. If you’re not a blogger, you’re welcome to stop by as well on the last day of every month from March to June to share your view.
From the open invitation posted on Jan. 8, the following readers had shown interest to join in. I’ve put your links down so we’ll know where to go for the response posts at the end of the month. If you want to join in now, you’re most welcome. Just indicate your intention in a comment below and I’ll add in your link. Conversely, if you feel you can’t commit at this point, just let me know so I can take your link off.
- Bellezza of Dolce Bellezza
- Colleen of Books in the City
- Deborah of Temptations of Words
- ds of Third-Storey Window
- Janell of An Everyday Life
- Lauren of The Very Hungry Bookworm
- Gavin of Page247
- Jerika of averydisorientedreader
In between these monthly posts, if being succinct is your style, you can share your thoughts in 140 characters with tweets anytime you want. Just leave your twitter name @… in the comment. You’re most welcome to follow some clumsy attempts at laconic expressions @Arti_Ripples
A General Introduction:
Voted Best of The Booker in 2008, Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children has been classified as post-colonial literature, genre historical fiction and magic realism, rich in symbols and allegories. Here’s the Synopsis from the Booker site:
“Born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, at the precise moment of India’s independence, the infant Saleem Sinai is celebrated in the press and welcomed by Prime Minister Nehru himself. But this coincidence of birth has consequences Saleem is not prepared for: telepathic powers that connect him with 1,000 other “midnight’s children” – all born in the initial hour of India’s independence – and an uncanny sense of smell that allows him to sniff out dangers others can’t perceive. Inextricably linked to his nations, Saleem’s biography is a whirlwind of disasters and triumphs that mirror the course of modern India at its most impossible and glorious.”
Helpful Background Resources Online:
History of modern India from Colonial time
Setting of Midnight’s Children
Characters in Midnight’s Children
Book Review on 1981 publication from New York Review of Books
Deepa Mehta and Salman Rushdie collaborate on film adaptation
To all reading along, Enjoy!
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Ripple Effects 
I’m so sorry I’m not able to participate. Had committed to Bleak House (which I may have to withdraw from as well). Have not been feeling well lately and reading has really slowed for me. My apologies – I will be reading the groups posts though.
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Diane,
O I understand… That’s perfectly fine, no apologies needed. 😉 Feel free to stop by for the group discussion. Hope you feel better soon!
Arti
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I just don’t have it in me now to follow along with the reading, but I will be eagerly looking at the commentary and thoughts you all share! Sounds like a big project, but a fascinating one!
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Jeanie,
Well, we’re trying to make a big project manageable. From some who’d read it, they found it to be an enjoyable read. Hope this will work out ok.
Arti
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The reading room is all stacked up with review books needing my attention, but I will follow your readalong with great curiosity. I read my first Salman Rushdie last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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litlove,
Yes, I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your plate. Just curious, which Rushdie book did you read?
Arti
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I have had this book for two years now and have attempted (and failed) to read it. I want to join your read-along! Yay for motivation 🙂
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theveryhungrybookworm,
Welcome! I’m glad you can join us! Hope this time we can all finish the book… I know for some other readers too, this is a second attempt. I’ve added your name and link on the list. Have fun!
Arti
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Glad for the reminder. It will be a nice change from Hemingway. I think. Also glad we’ve the freedom to react rather than review. I’ll get started after I finish my latest installment of Hem.
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Janell,
It’ll definitely be very different from Hemingway. I’ve been doing some online research on the background, the above links offer some interesting info. Hope you’ll enjoy your reading experience. Welcome aboard!
Arti
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I am definitely joining in!
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Gavin,
Welcome Gavin! I’ll put your link on the list.
Arti
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Thanks for the reminder that we are starting this month! Fortunately, I read through Book One on my first attempt at this book – I am going to skim and refamiliarize myself so I can easily follow the subsequent books.
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booksnyc,
Looks like you’re way ahead of us, well except for those who are rereading this time. I look forward to your sharing of your thoughts. Thanks for participating! 🙂
Arti
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It will be fun to follow along with the reactions and conversations – my goodness, time has passed quickly. I can’t believe it’s time to begin reading. Enjoy the book!
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Linda,
You’re welcome to stop by to read these sharing posts. Hopefully one day we can have you joining us in another book closer to home. Maybe a Faulkner
Arti
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I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to go on with this as planned but I will definitely be reading and following all the participants posts. I had always hoped to one day read this. I have started it but it’s going slow because of other commitments and major unexpected travel plans towards the end of the month. Enjoy your reading!
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Mrs. B,
That’s perfectly fine. Just stop by anytime you can and join our forum if you like at the end of the month. Thanks for getting the ball rolling! 😉
Arti
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I got a copy from the library so will give it a try. I tried reading Satanic Verses years ago, but did not get past the first chapter. I read a couple of your “helpful background resources online”, which I’m sure will make it easier. I will definitely check back for your insights.
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Yinling,
I’m so glad you can join us in reading this book together. It’s not an easy read, but his writing style is agile and fanciful. I’ve enjoyed that despite the fact that I don’t ‘get’ all the parallels and symbolism. Anyway, do come by and share with us your views comes March 31st.
Arti
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Hello Arti,
Great to see this read along Midnight’s children is one of my favorite books, and I am sure I”ll enjoy reading your observations!
Loved your blog! following you now…
I recently wrote a review of midnight’s children on my book blog… would you care to have a look?
http://riversihaveknown.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/midnights-children-by-salman-rushdie-a-review/
Please do visit, and give me your feedback. also, if you like the blog, please follow…. would love to have you as a regular reader!
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Amritorupa,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment, with the link to your review of Midnight’s Children. I’m really interested to read that. But since we’re doing a slow read-along here, four sections over four months. while I’m very eager to see what your analysis is… I don’t want to get ahead of the time frame. But, I’ll definitely read your review when I’ve finished the whole book. Again, thanks for stopping by. I’ll go visit your blog to read your other posts for sure. 😉
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I read this book on my own last year. I wish I had known about this readalong, I would have enjoyed getting everyone else’s thoughts and perspectives as I was reading.
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Nish,
I’d love to have you join us if you came by earlier. 🙂 Right now we’re doing Anna Karenina Read-Along, would you like to join us? Here’s the post to the open invitation. Thanks for stopping by, hope to hear from you again.
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