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https://www.rokomari.com/book/159746/...
https://www.rokomari.com/book/159746/...
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
48 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2009
166 people want to read
About the author
Salman Rushdie
201 books13k followersSir Ahmed Salman Rushdie is an Indian-born British and American novelist. His work often combines magic realism with historical fiction and primarily deals with connections, disruptions, and migrations between Eastern and Western civilizations, typically set on the Indian subcontinent. Rushdie's second novel, Midnight's Children (1981), won the Booker Prize in 1981 and was deemed to be "the best novel of all winners" on two occasions, marking the 25th and the 40th anniversary of the prize.
After his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses (1988), Rushdie became the subject of several assassination attempts and death threats, including a fatwa calling for his death issued by Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran. In total, 20 countries banned the book. Numerous killings and bombings have been carried out by extremists who cite the book as motivation, sparking a debate about censorship and religiously motivated violence. In 2022, Rushdie survived a stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.
In 1983, Rushdie was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He was appointed a Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 1999. Rushdie was knighted in 2007 for his services to literature. In 2008, The Times ranked him 13th on its list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945. Since 2000, Rushdie has lived in the United States. He was named Distinguished Writer in Residence at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University in 2015. Earlier, he taught at Emory University. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2012, he published Joseph Anton: A Memoir, an account of his life in the wake of the events following The Satanic Verses. Rushdie was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in April 2023.
Rushdie's personal life, including his five marriages and four divorces, has attracted notable media attention and controversies, particularly during his marriage to actress Padma Lakshmi.
After his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses (1988), Rushdie became the subject of several assassination attempts and death threats, including a fatwa calling for his death issued by Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran. In total, 20 countries banned the book. Numerous killings and bombings have been carried out by extremists who cite the book as motivation, sparking a debate about censorship and religiously motivated violence. In 2022, Rushdie survived a stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.
In 1983, Rushdie was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He was appointed a Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 1999. Rushdie was knighted in 2007 for his services to literature. In 2008, The Times ranked him 13th on its list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945. Since 2000, Rushdie has lived in the United States. He was named Distinguished Writer in Residence at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University in 2015. Earlier, he taught at Emory University. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2012, he published Joseph Anton: A Memoir, an account of his life in the wake of the events following The Satanic Verses. Rushdie was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in April 2023.
Rushdie's personal life, including his five marriages and four divorces, has attracted notable media attention and controversies, particularly during his marriage to actress Padma Lakshmi.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 9, 2015
What is the best way to live a meaningful life? Lots to think about in this short story, published in the New Yorker 18 May 2009, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/200.... I loved the audio version done on Selected Shorts. My favorite quote is from the final paragraph: "Death and life were just adjacent verandas."
March 21, 2015
This short story is funny, sarcastic, and deep. This is the first Salman Rushdie's work that I have read and I am pleasantly surprised at how much I liked his prose.
November 30, 2025
A bit too on the nose with the self-existentialism, could’ve been a bit more subtle. Most of the short story is exposition on their lives, characteristics and interactions.
September 19, 2022
"like characters in an ancient tale, trapped in fateful coincidences, unable to escpape the consequences of chance"
"Death and life, were just adjacent verandas"
"Death and life, were just adjacent verandas"
June 3, 2025
This short story unfolds against a vividly described Southern urban landscape, immersing the reader in the sensory details of city life — the heat, light, and sounds. At its heart are two elderly protagonists, known simply by the shared initial 'V,' whose mundane daily routines form the backdrop for profound philosophical meditations.
The narrative masterfully juxtaposes the everyday rhythms of their existence with deep explorations of aging, mortality, and the relentless passage of time. Themes of fate, chance, and a sense of life's absurdity permeate the atmosphere, creating a reflective, often somber mood despite the bustling setting.
The relationship between the two central characters is marked by constant friction and bitter insults, which, rather than feeling like playful banter, contribute to a sense of profound, perhaps self-inflicted, isolation. While there's a vein of dark humor stemming from their pride clashing with their physical limitations, the overall tone felt predominantly bleak and nihilistic. Personally, I found the characters difficult to connect with or like.
The plot itself is deliberately slow-paced, focusing on repetitive, seemingly insignificant actions. A sudden, random event underscores the story's exploration of chance and the unpredictable nature of existence. While the philosophical underpinnings are evident, I found the narrative progression itself somewhat uneventful and the overall experience quite depressing. It wasn't a story that personally resonated or provided enjoyment.
Ultimately, while the skillful prose and exploration of heavy existential themes are apparent, the story's pervasive sense of resignation and the unlikeable nature of the protagonists made it a difficult read for me. It’s a well-crafted piece from a technical standpoint, but its bleak outlook and slow pace left me feeling it was just 'okay.'
The narrative masterfully juxtaposes the everyday rhythms of their existence with deep explorations of aging, mortality, and the relentless passage of time. Themes of fate, chance, and a sense of life's absurdity permeate the atmosphere, creating a reflective, often somber mood despite the bustling setting.
The relationship between the two central characters is marked by constant friction and bitter insults, which, rather than feeling like playful banter, contribute to a sense of profound, perhaps self-inflicted, isolation. While there's a vein of dark humor stemming from their pride clashing with their physical limitations, the overall tone felt predominantly bleak and nihilistic. Personally, I found the characters difficult to connect with or like.
The plot itself is deliberately slow-paced, focusing on repetitive, seemingly insignificant actions. A sudden, random event underscores the story's exploration of chance and the unpredictable nature of existence. While the philosophical underpinnings are evident, I found the narrative progression itself somewhat uneventful and the overall experience quite depressing. It wasn't a story that personally resonated or provided enjoyment.
Ultimately, while the skillful prose and exploration of heavy existential themes are apparent, the story's pervasive sense of resignation and the unlikeable nature of the protagonists made it a difficult read for me. It’s a well-crafted piece from a technical standpoint, but its bleak outlook and slow pace left me feeling it was just 'okay.'
February 10, 2019
"Death and life are just adjacent verandas."
In this short story, Salman Rushdie explores the meaning of life, death, and family through two octogenarians. The story focuses on identity versus community, youth v. old age, hope v. defeat, success v. mediocrity, and luck v. misfortune.
However, I didn't find such a short piece did all these themes justice, and it lacked the sense of humor Salman Rushdie is famous for.
In this short story, Salman Rushdie explores the meaning of life, death, and family through two octogenarians. The story focuses on identity versus community, youth v. old age, hope v. defeat, success v. mediocrity, and luck v. misfortune.
However, I didn't find such a short piece did all these themes justice, and it lacked the sense of humor Salman Rushdie is famous for.
October 21, 2018
As short-stories go, this was nothing special.
March 28, 2015
I have not read any of Rushdie's books. Merely a case of too many books, not enough time. Today I read this story of his. The writing is strong and meaningful. I must move his books higher on the priority list.
March 22, 2015
Listened to a reading of this entertaining tale of two cantankerous elderly men in southern India. Must read some of his books as it was very good.
July 8, 2016
This is the first elaborate piece that I've read by Rushdie. I must read 'The Midnight's Children' now I suppose.
September 21, 2020
One of my favorite short stories ever, and there are very many short stories.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews