Questions About Midnight’s Children

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Answered Questions (11)

Appropriate for a 15-year-old? How much sexual content/violence?

Anna This is a slow, intense, complex novel, and even though I always read at a pretty high level, I do not think I could have handled this book at 15. It'…moreThis is a slow, intense, complex novel, and even though I always read at a pretty high level, I do not think I could have handled this book at 15. It's not inappropriate because of sexual content or violence, but because I think you have to have read a little more and been challenged by reading a little more before you can really dive into and appreciate it. (less)

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hi everyone, i wanna know in which category does this masterpiece fits.. fiction or literary fiction..????

John Addiego This is literary fiction in what I'd call the magical realism style, and it seems like one of the best novels about multi-cultural India during and si…moreThis is literary fiction in what I'd call the magical realism style, and it seems like one of the best novels about multi-cultural India during and since its moment of independence from the British Empire. Mostly, it's a work of rare genius and terrific humor by a master stylist.(less)

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I want to read "Midnight's Children" next, but is it necessary or best to know the history behind India's revolution? Would I be totally lost because I'm not well versed on the subject? Or is the revolution just a jumping off point of the story?

Arvinder I read this book many moons ago, and it was a difficult read then. A little while back my husband and I decided to watch the movie. The movie moves al…moreI read this book many moons ago, and it was a difficult read then. A little while back my husband and I decided to watch the movie. The movie moves along much quicker. Of course after watching the movie, my husband decided he would like to read it. He has been reading it and even after watching the movie is finding it to be a difficult read. It jumps around a lot. It is definitely a well written book worth muddling your way through.(less)

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Do you think I can start with this book right away if I haven't read anything by Rushdie yet?

Fred Perry Yes, no problem. Watch for meta-fiction moments. Many, many characters that I only kept track of about the first quarter of the book. This doesn’t pos…moreYes, no problem. Watch for meta-fiction moments. Many, many characters that I only kept track of about the first quarter of the book. This doesn’t pose a problem, though. Enjoyable and occasionally grabs you. (less)

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Do you need to be familiar with Indian history at all to appreciate this book, or will we be given a bit of information to go on?