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East, West

Salman Rushdie

3.56 · Rating details · 5,521 ratings · 374 reviews

Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here

A rickshaw driver dreams of being a Bombay movie star; Indian diplomats, who as childhood friends hatched Star Trek fantasies, must boldly go into a hidden universe of conspiracy and violence; and Hamlet's jester is caught up in murderous intrigues. In Rushdie's hybrid world, an Indian guru can be a redheaded Welshman, while C ...more

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Paperback, 224 pages

Published January 1998 by Vintage (first published 1994)

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Apr 17, 2010 Lisa rated it it was amazing

I read this book with my husband in a hosptial in India, after he had an attack from his leukemia. I read this series of short stories to him as he lay in his hospital bed. He was very ill in a foreign country, and despite these very frigthening circumstances, we laughed till we cried, convinced that this book could speak to no one else in the world more directly than to us.

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Aug 18, 2016 Smriti rated it really liked it

I kind of breezed through this one.

East, West is a compilation of short stories written by renowned author - Salman Rushdie. This is my first book by him. I know - it's a travesty, blah blah blah. But I got my chance this time and I went with it.

Honestly I was a little nervous about how I would take to Salman Rushdie's writing style. I had heard much about it and didn't want him to disappoint me.

I wasn't.

The book divided into three parts - East, West and East, West were absolutely delightful ...more

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Oct 08, 2011 Velvetink rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: india, 2011-read

Enjoyed the Indian "East" short stories tremendously. Somehow did not relate much (actually not at all) to the "West" stories - somehow in those, felt he was trying too hard to impress when simple is what he does best - although since I've not read Rushdie before have no clue what he does best but that was my impression - that he was trying to capture an audience not familiar with him... Maybe I failed to see the message of the collection?. "Yorrick" just didn't seem to fit in with the other the ...more

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Sep 03, 2013 Tanya Lohia rated it it was ok

I read 'The Prophet’s Hair' by Salman Rushdie from this book, and it has a good theme, but a very dark meaning. The story is written in Magic Realism like many other works by Rushdie. The story line and the way Rushdie is portrayed it is extremely negative. It shines a dark shadow on any form of religion, specifically orthodox Islam. Although I support freedom of expression, it is unjustified when what someone expresses explicitly attacks a particular set of people or beliefs and that is exactly I read 'The Prophet’s Hair' by Salman Rushdie from this book, and it has a good theme, but a very dark meaning. The story is written in Magic Realism like many other works by Rushdie. The story line and the way Rushdie is portrayed it is extremely negative. It shines a dark shadow on any form of religion, specifically orthodox Islam. Although I support freedom of expression, it is unjustified when what someone expresses explicitly attacks a particular set of people or beliefs and that is exactly what this story does. Through very pointed metaphors and allusions Rushdie casts religion and orthodox religious people in a negative light and makes it seem as though religion and religious following itself as the reason for everything difficult and wrong in a person’s life. This is quite evident in the way everything goes wrong for the moral and good family when the head of the family comes in contact with the greatest symbol of his religion, the vial containing the Prophet’s Hair in it. The story conveys that just because of that one relic, Hashim became the most orthodox Muslim in the world, and this too is represented as a bad and violent trait, although Islam is one the most peaceful religions. Islam not being sacred for Rushdie does not justify him mocking or attacking the religion or the people who follow it.

Rushdie’s language is also just as pretentious. The sentences are long and the language is verbose and vivid. This makes the story even stranger and harder to read. The sentences lose their meaning in their length and are awkward as a result, making the entire experience of reading the story unpleasant. He uses long and hard words where much simpler words will do just as well. Some sections of the story need to be reread to understand their complete message because of the nature of the language used and the length of the sentences. Sentences such as “These breaches of the family’s unwritten laws of decorum alarmed Atta and Huma, and when, that evening their mother attempted to…” (Rushdie pg. 47) are winded in a complicated manner that is quite unnecessary. The word choice and the construction of the sentences are quite awkward.

There is situational as well as dramatic irony used in the story. The way the irony is used suggests that religion is just like money; it corrupts people and destroys their moral ground. This theme is hard to convey in exactly the right way and Rushdie does not seem to have grasped that. There can be several parallels drawn between Sheikh Sin and Hashim who are both greedy, one for money and the other for artifacts. This greed kills both of them and destroys their families. This aspect of the story furthers the negative denotation in it. The characters in the story are not very well developed, and this makes his argument even weaker. The theme Salman Rushdie has attempted to convey through this story is just as good as it is controversial and needs to be portrayed very carefully. I admire the idea, but it’s execution by Rushdie is not good, the language as well as the irony used is too extreme and in its harshness the story falls short of the effect it could have had.
...more

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Dec 16, 2017 Mobyskine rated it liked it · review of another edition

My first of Salman Rushdie and I'm quite nervous about it. Heard a lot about this author and been thinking to try out reading a book or two by him but haven't had a chance, yet. But luckily I got this short stories book from the Big Bad Wolf so I guess it will do as my first reading from Salman Rushdie.

The book separated to three part-- East, West and East, West. I really love the East part, enjoyed reading all of the 3 stories-- narratives were gripping, took me into a journey of cultural and t ...more

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Oct 26, 2017 Yeshi Dolma rated it really liked it

This was a good collection of short stories, couple of which bordered into fantasy - which to my greater delight and surprise - I enjoyed! This book has three parts - East, West, East-West, with very different writing styles. East was a collection of stories which very much reminded me of someone like Manto - the writing style of his translated work. The themes/stories not as evocative for me. 3/5. Though the story 'the prophet's hair' in East collection was a giant ball of absurdity which I enj ...more

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Sep 04, 2013 Yash Ghei rated it really liked it

Salman Rushdie uses a vast array of sophisticated narrative techniques to clarify his views about religion and its apparent stronghold on an individual’s life. The Prophet’s Hair has an almost satirical theme, often mocking individuals who absorb themselves into the world of religion. While some might perceive this as offensive and demeaning, the point of the story remains valid. Through the short story, the reader is shown a glimpse into a man whose world is run by religion, and it tries not to Salman Rushdie uses a vast array of sophisticated narrative techniques to clarify his views about religion and its apparent stronghold on an individual’s life. The Prophet’s Hair has an almost satirical theme, often mocking individuals who absorb themselves into the world of religion. While some might perceive this as offensive and demeaning, the point of the story remains valid. Through the short story, the reader is shown a glimpse into a man whose world is run by religion, and it tries not to diminish the stronghold of any one religion, but rather to emphasize that family and friends should not be forgotten in the chase of religion.

While the story steps on eggshells by referring to the Prophet (the founder of Islam) in an unintentionally negative light, Rushdie is generally careful to not blatantly attack any religion but subtly displays his opinion on the falsehood of religion by means of a story. He has a constant theme of sarcasm and mockery but maintains a mature stance about his views. He is aggressive in his tone, but all the while remaining respectful not to blatantly accuse religion, or the preaching’s of religion itself, on the creation of a selfish man. Many have accused Rushdie of blasphemy towards Islam, however he is wise in directing his visions for religion through appropriate, but certainly controversial channels. Rushdie bases his story on the fundamentals of magic realism, using fictional or magical elements and blending it into a real-world scenario. He easily emphasizes his point of view on religion as he characterizes the father as being overtly obsessive of a tiny object, and in the process creating turmoil between his family. Rushdie uses omniscient point of view, narrating from an unknown this party. Symbolism through the prophets hair, and a certain native-ness within Rushdie's diction can easily be noticed.

Lastly, Rushdie uses irony to illuminate the strict cultures and traditions of India. He uses language related to that of texts speaking of a post-colonial India to depict the brutality of Indian traditions with doses of irony. Through The Prophet's Hair, Rushdie uses distinct literary tools to put emphasis on a deeper meaning, allowing the reader time to reflect on his controversial views on religion, while doing his best to avoid anger and hatred from devout religious personalities.
...more

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Feb 22, 2016 Pedro Varanda rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Espantosamente para mim que muito admiro este grande escritor, este é um livro irregular, inferior. Colectânea de contos rápidos pretende mostrar os abismos culturais e sociais entre o oriente e o ocidente. De uma forma no entanto que não convence de todo, e que prova que este género literário não é mesmo a sua praia. Recomendo a leitura de toda a sua obra à excepção deste.

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May 25, 2018 Georgiana rated it liked it · review of another edition

" Un sfat bun e mai de pret ca aurul"

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Jul 26, 2017 Esther | braveliteraryworld rated it liked it

Shelves: poc

GENERAL:
- short story collection
- enjoyable but not the most amazing
- some stories were more engaging than others
- common theme: the desire for transcendence

LIKES:
- pacing of each story, as well as the overall collection, was great.
- Rushdie displayed an impressively wide range of writing styles.
- each story had amazing endings that were punchy and left me awed.
- "Harmony of the Spheres" was one that moved the best. Captivating beginning. Plot that moves forward (but doesn't rush). Strong ending ...more

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Apr 29, 2017 Susmita Kundu rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017

This is a collection of 9 short stories divided into 3 sections East, West and East, West. The stories in the first two sections are uniquely Eastern and Western respectively, meaning that their settings, characters and contexts uniquely belong to the life and lifestyles of the Eastern and Western hemispheres. In the last section East, West, the characters get pulled in both directions (most of them having migrated from the East to the West) and they have to choose, with a somewhat heavy heart, ...more

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Apr 11, 2014 Deea rated it liked it

Shelves: short-stories

This is an average book: some of the stories are boring, but to the subject, others are written in an interesting way, but they lack something...I couldn't put my finger on this "something" and identify it. I expected this volume to be something else, but it wasn't. In fact, I think that the intention of the author was to create 3 kinds of stories: the ones specific to the East, the ones specific to the West and the ones specific to the Indians that are living abroad, but miss their customs and ...more

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Oct 08, 2016 Anthoferjea rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Some duds ("Yorick," "Columbus,") but most of these stories show that Rushdie could have a solid career as a short-story writer if he wants to give up the novels. As the stories stretch out, they do get better; "Chekov and Zulu" is quietly tragic and the line in "The Courter" about his mother and grandmother getting robbed by the Beatles is loudly funny. Overall the "East, West" stories are the best, the "West" stories aren't generally as good, and the "East" stories fall somewhere in the middle ...more

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Feb 01, 2016 Mircalla64 rated it really liked it · review of another edition

est, ovest e tutto quel che c'è in mezzo

racconti divisi in sezioni: est, ovest e est-ovest, in realtà sono tutti figli di Rushdie, il quale non è nè est nè ovest e nemmeno tutti e due, è un caso unico, un indiano inglese che nei suoi libri usa le spezie della sua terra stemperandole col gelo inglese e mescolando un po' a caso riempie il piatto di qualcosa di più della somma delle due culture...

ps. Il pelo della barba del Profeta è stupendo!

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Jul 01, 2018 Aasem Bakhshi rated it liked it

Shelves: english-literature

He is not at his best here, though he tried real hard; my personal parameter of Rushdie's best is Midnight's Children on the scale of his usual classical narrative and craft, and Haroun and the Sea of Stories on the scale of sheer storytelling. Perhaps some of the stories, especially two really odd ones in the 'West' failed to hit the cord because he tried too hard to carry a craft he is not good at; consequently, the narrative comes out as a fragmented assortment, which is neither imagination n ...more

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Jul 14, 2017 Roxana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was my first Rushdie book ever read, and all I can say is that i am very happy for choosing this lecture on a calm Friday afternoon.

The stories are well-written (I have mosly enjoyed the first part - The East, but overall the book is great anyway) and Rushdie knows how to combine words in an excellent mix of a true born story-teller and an exotic thinker.

5/5 stars!

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Nov 04, 2017 Parvathy rated it really liked it

A set of 9 Rushdie short stories. Very varied in scope, ranging from a small town rickshaw puller's tale set during the Emergency to a historical fantasy of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella; a dystopian futuristic world where everything is on sale, to a very personal tale of an aya and her East European 'Courter' in sixties London. Rushdie can make me laugh out loud, he can make me cry and sometimes, he can just awe me with clever word play. This slim volume isn't him at his very best - b ...more

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Sep 09, 2017 Sudaraka Pethiyagoda rated it liked it

i don't get it

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Oct 07, 2017 Alex.Rosetti rated it liked it · review of another edition

ORIENT
Un sfat bun ... 4*
Radioul cadou 3*
Părul Profetului 5*
OCCIDENT
Yorick 2*
La licitația ... 2*
Cristofor Columb ... 2*
ORIENT, OCCIDENT
Armonia sferelor 3*
Cehov și Zulu 1*
Vajnicul 5*

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Apr 15, 2010 Frank Kasell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british, european

I don't often read short stories, but Rushdie has never once ceased to impress me (and, more often than not, totally bowl me over), so I figured it was worth a shot.

As expected, it was mostly magnificent. His style varies widely from story to story, demonstrating his erudition and imaginative capabilities as he jumps deftly from poignant snapshots in time to experimental postmodern monologues. As always, he writes with exuberance, precision, delicacy, joy, and occasional venom.

As other reviewer I don't often read short stories, but Rushdie has never once ceased to impress me (and, more often than not, totally bowl me over), so I figured it was worth a shot.

As expected, it was mostly magnificent. His style varies widely from story to story, demonstrating his erudition and imaginative capabilities as he jumps deftly from poignant snapshots in time to experimental postmodern monologues. As always, he writes with exuberance, precision, delicacy, joy, and occasional venom.

As other reviewers have written, some stories struck me more than others (though it's interesting to note how the stories some people highlight as dreck are the same ones that the next person will describe as their favorites). Though I enjoyed them all, I was particularly impressed with "Yorick," "At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers," "Chekov and Zulu," and "The Courter" (yes, I realize that my list there covers nearly half of the book).

Contentwise, the stories cover a lot of the same topics of Rushdie's novels: the concept of "home," the often corruptive powers of religion and money, the often redemptive nature of love, and (obviously) the interactions, collisions, and engagements between East and West. The reader occasionally becomes aware that this was written during his decade of hiding after the Ayatollah's fatwa, particularly during "At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers." In that story, the reader finds the narrator longing for the abstract "home," and criticizing the extreme type of tolerance that opens the doors of dialogue to intolerant people (read: people who would order a death sentence for an author because of what he wrote) because to not invite them to the table would be intolerant.

Stylistically, as others have remarked, it is curious the way that the triad of "East" stories, all of which take place in India, are written in a relatively straightforward, realistic style. Though he is not employing his magical realism or postmodern linguistic pyrotechnics here, Rushdie is as sharp as ever. In contrast, all three of the "West" stories are written in experimental postmodern styles. To my mind, this implies that the West has lost its grounding to some extent. With all of the varieties of people and thoughts inhabiting the Western world, we don't have a stable foundation of thought and philosophy. We are ummoored from reality in a way, without a clear concept of "home." The style of the three "West" stories reflects this state.

Overall, I gave this a four-star rating because short stories still aren't quite my bag. I respect what he has done here and deeply enjoyed the book, but I found myself wanting more. In a full length novel, Rushdie has the space to expand his thoughts and really grapple with huge issues. In short stories, he is limited to snapshots of those big issues, so he has a much smaller canvas on which to dazzle the reader. Nonetheless, it's still Rushdie, and it's still marvelous. ...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Ishaan Pathak rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This review is based on The Prophets Hair, a short story within East, West by Salman Rushdie. The Prophets Hair tells the story of a money lender who becomes fanatically religious after finding a hair from the Prophet Muhammad. His children, frustrated by the curse this has brought on their family set out to find a robber who can steal the Prophets Hair for them and save the family from the curse.
Rushdie creates a vividly realised story worth reading simply for the way he employs irony to both This review is based on The Prophets Hair, a short story within East, West by Salman Rushdie. The Prophets Hair tells the story of a money lender who becomes fanatically religious after finding a hair from the Prophet Muhammad. His children, frustrated by the curse this has brought on their family set out to find a robber who can steal the Prophets Hair for them and save the family from the curse.
Rushdie creates a vividly realised story worth reading simply for the way he employs irony to both mock his characters and setting of the story and to make serious insight on life and the nature of beauty. The story starts of just as any fairy tale would with a man on an outlandish quest. Atta, is determined to find a good robber, however things take a turn for the macabre when instead of being aided he is mugged and beaten to within an inch of his life. The story is riddled with twist such as these which take us from fantasy perspective to a rational one and then back by adding magical elements. This creates a form of ebb and flow in the book as good things such as the money lender finding a new item for his collection, are immediately followed by bad things such as a curse destroying his family. Such movement creates tension and keeps the reader hooked through the story. However the main reason I enjoyed the story was the irony that Rushdie uses. In some places he uses dramatic irony, "Sin" the king of thieves turns out to be an ageing man desperate for money, unbeknownst to the moneylender's kin. In other places the irony is situational such as Sins children bemoaning the fact that they become full bodied by the blessing of the prophets hair as it was easier for them to make money as cripples. In most places Rushdie uses irony to highlight fallacies in our world. Prime among these is that the money lender becomes more religious due to the curse however this is not a good thing as instead of becoming more spiritual the money lender destroys his family and their way of life through his new found orthodoxy. In other places however the twists can be poignant. By the end of the story nearly every character involved is either dead or in horrible condition else than Sin's wife who regained her eyesight through the prophets hair. She alone is happy as she can observe the beauty of Kashmir in her dying days.
To conclude, The Prophets hair is worth reading for the realistic and crooked picture it paints despite its magical elements. Rushdie has managed to create an engaging story that is sometimes funny, sometimes sad and at others poignant and eye opening. ...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Sohila Samuel rated it liked it

The excerpt 'The Prophet's Hair' from East, West by Salman Rushdie, looks at the theme of religion and how its over-influence can prove to be harmful to one self. Salman Rushdie, though he was Muslim, was against religion and uses this story to get his point across. He makes the story interesting with a gripping plot line and the conflict of getting rid of the 'prophet's hair'.

Through this short story, Rushdie explores the theme of religion through the metaphor of the 'prophet's hair'. In this s The excerpt 'The Prophet's Hair' from East, West by Salman Rushdie, looks at the theme of religion and how its over-influence can prove to be harmful to one self. Salman Rushdie, though he was Muslim, was against religion and uses this story to get his point across. He makes the story interesting with a gripping plot line and the conflict of getting rid of the 'prophet's hair'.

Through this short story, Rushdie explores the theme of religion through the metaphor of the 'prophet's hair'. In this story, the prophet's hair is stolen and ends up with a moneylender, Hashim and then for a little while with the thief and it brings nothing but bad luck to both the families. The moneylender grows aggressive and violent after the hair is under his roof and his whole family suffers the consequence. The thief's family heals in some way but it doesn't work for their benefit. It brings them more misfortune than good. These events show how Rushdie feel's that religion can be harmful. If too much trust is placed on religion, if you depend on it too much, it can be your downfall. It can come into your life and end up hurting you instead of being a blessing.

Rushdie also uses magic realism to talk about religion. In the story it is not realistic for the sons of the thief to be healed of their cripple instantly. The mother also gains her sight back. These are incidents that are not rational but the writer uses it to show how religion doesn't help anyone. People might believe that religion is helpful, it heals you. But it might not heal you the way you want it too. It might unexpectedly end up causing you more misery just like the thief's sons. Though many would see the curing of their cripples as a miracle, it actually didn't help their fortune. Religion might 'cure' you but not the way you might want it too. It might not be godsend like many like to believe.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. It looks at such a complex theme of religion, through a simplistic idea of the curse of the prophet's hair. It is ironical in its use of religion to bring bad luck. Religion is associated to being a blessing, not a curse, but this story shows a unique side to religion. It's cynical ending and overall plot makes you think how religion is actually affecting you positively or negatively and makes for a good read. ...more

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Sep 03, 2013 Seerat rated it it was ok

I read "The Prophet's Hair" from Salman Rushdie's "East, West". This story bases itself on the human need/desire for money and religion.

Contrary to popular belief, Rushdie portrays religion as a dark and imprisoning force instead of a liberating one. When Hashim comes in possession of Muhammad’s hair (Rushdie’s symbol for religion), he suddenly becomes an extremely orthodox and devout Muslim. This change in Hashim is accompanied by the new constrictions he places on his family as well as the vi I read "The Prophet's Hair" from Salman Rushdie's "East, West". This story bases itself on the human need/desire for money and religion.

Contrary to popular belief, Rushdie portrays religion as a dark and imprisoning force instead of a liberating one. When Hashim comes in possession of Muhammad’s hair (Rushdie’s symbol for religion), he suddenly becomes an extremely orthodox and devout Muslim. This change in Hashim is accompanied by the new constrictions he places on his family as well as the violent turn in his nature. It seems as if Hashim is possessed by religion; his blind faith and strong belief in superstitions only make the situation worse for him and his family, with the eventual result being his and his children’s death. Religion, thus, acts as the oppressor.

The importance that Rushdie places on money and human greed is exaggerated and misleading. Hashim, the moneylender, is initially driven by money. It is when he switches from worshipping money to worshipping God that his entire household is uprooted. Sheikh Sin, the Thief of Thieves, has an insatiate desire to get richer. He is ultimately met with death due to this greed. Even flat characters such as the flower vendor and Sin’s sons see money as the ultimate power. Rushdie portrays money as the only incentive that motivates people to be good or bad, religious or impious.

Lastly, “The Prophet’s Hair” presents a thief, an ill doer, as the only solution to the problem’s being faced by Hashim’s family; he is the ultimate liberator. By placing a thief in good light, Rushdie conveys the wrongful message that performing deceiving deeds can prove to be helpful and can sometimes lead to success. What Rushdie depicts is that doing evil can have a good result; it is a message that is immoral and disrespectful.

Due to the presentation of these three issues/ themes in his story, Rushdie fails to impress me. I do not like the portrayal of religion as a dark force as well as the exaggeration of human greed as it makes the story wicked and dissolute. The depiction of the thief as the good guy also tends to make Rushdie’s story weak and immoral. I, therefore, do not like Rushdie’s “The Prophet’s Hair” because of the themes that it presents. I do not recommend you to read this book when there are far better books on the shelf.
...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Jeongukim rated it really liked it

This review is about "The Prophet's hair", one of the chapters in the book "East, West"
Briefly, the story involves a relic that is Muhammad's hair. This was stolen from Hazratbal mosque in Kashmir, and following tragedies from one's greed. I've never read or heard of Salman-bhai before. However, as I began to read this book in class, I've gained more interest in reading his writing. I'd like to give some opinions about this chapter.
Salman-bhai's style of writing is very descriptive but also meta This review is about "The Prophet's hair", one of the chapters in the book "East, West"
Briefly, the story involves a relic that is Muhammad's hair. This was stolen from Hazratbal mosque in Kashmir, and following tragedies from one's greed. I've never read or heard of Salman-bhai before. However, as I began to read this book in class, I've gained more interest in reading his writing. I'd like to give some opinions about this chapter.
Salman-bhai's style of writing is very descriptive but also metaphorical. While reading the story, I've sensed that some sort of twist is coming because otherwise, this story would've been really boring. His descriptions are used to describe situations and characters in story very clearly that forms image inside the reader's mind. His words are also very selective and sophisticated.
The story is somewhat narrative and contains genre of 'magical realism'. Using something supernatural and superficial helped me to form further interest in reading the story. Clearly describes the Indian superstition but in this case ‘real’. Throughout the story, he does not lay events chronologically, but he puts back and forth that helps reader understand the situation without having any misunderstanding in reading the story. Not only has that he conveyed information favourably, but also slowly progress the story that creates even better understanding of the story for the readers.
Rushdie portrays the religion as one very important aspect and divulges into abstract view from his perspective. 'Muhammad's hair' is symbolized as an symbol for religion, Muslim. In particular, Rushdie creates strong connection between Muhammad's hair and Hashim. Once Hashim possess Muhammad's hair, he changes completely. Hashim becomes really passionate about 'being' Muslim, due to what the 'hair' does to his business and family. It was very interesting to see how one's perspective in religion can change so drastically.
To conclude, his use of magical realism in this story works perfectly, he describes what one's 'religion', in particular, 'faith' can truly mean through this story.
...more

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Sep 03, 2013 Deki Tenzing rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This review is on the short story ‘The Prophets Hair’.
I wouldn’t recommend reading the short story ‘The Prophets Hair’ in the book ‘East West’. Personally I feel that it was confusing and it in a way portrays religious beliefs as superstitions. The start of the book was quite interesting when he talks about how Atta and Huma goes to the lair looking for a thief but as the reader goes on, the book becomes very puzzling and the reader gets lost in the story.
Firstly, the story is not consistent. ...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Chaitra rated it liked it · review of another edition

An early collection of geographically separated stories by Salman Rushdie. Comprising of three stories each for the segments East, West and East and West, it's an easy read, but not exactly satisfying. I would have rated it lower had it not been for the final story, The Courter. The story of a hall porter and "courter" of the narrator's ayah Mary, it is borrowed from Rushdie's own complicated life. It has shades of Midnight's Children and some of its poignancy. As such, it is the only one that r ...more

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Jan 13, 2015 Aya rated it it was ok

Shelves: short-stories, ni-2016-challenge

I read these short stories in danish, but Im reviewing in english for my bookclub. I also have to admit, that this book came under the cathegory Books I shy away from on my challenge for 2016 - so the 2 star rating was somewhat to be expected.

I loved this pink cover - but at the same time I have to quote " Never judge a book by its cover", in this case the cover was better than the book.

I was not impressed, only bored and bewildered, whats the point of this? I didnt get closure from any of the ...more

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Jun 06, 2014 Mustafa Aiglon rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-literature

çok saçma, çok kişisel bir duygu ama okurken sürekli gani müjde'nin ölümsüz eseri (!) "kahpe bizans"'ın bir o kadar ölümsüz şarkısı aklıma geldi:

"doğu batı sentezinden kimseye zarar gelmez..."

neyse adeta 90'lar çöplüğü beynimin bu oyununu paylaştığıma göre; beni açıkçası hintçe seslenmeler, ünlemler, ünvanlar falan çok yordu. o yüzden kırdım zaten puanını. tabi bir de başucu kitabım olacak derecede taptığım floransa büyücüsünden sonra okudum ki; hayal kırıklığı yarattı. sakal-ı şerif öyküsü çok ...more

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Nov 01, 2013 Katy Wilmotte rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was my first time to read Salman Rushdie and I was thoroughly impressed. His command of language is masterful and extensive. The 'East' stories were probably my favorite as they had the most traditional format. In 'West', Rushdie began playing with language and setting a little more, and some of them were difficult for me to understand. 'East, West' stories were good, but depressing. But that I think, is just my fault, because I like happy endings.
Favorite stories: 'Yorick', 'Auction of the ...more

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May 14, 2014 Patty rated it really liked it

Shelves: poc-author, read-in-2014, south-asia

A book of short stories, three focusing on the "East", three focusing on the "West", and three mixed between the two. I think I prefer Rushdie in the short story format; at least, I liked this book much better than the novels of his I've read. I found the three "West" stories particularly interesting. Each one focused on an aspect of what you might call modern Western mythology (Shakespeare and Hamlet, The Wizard of Oz, Christopher Columbus), but twisted and turned around, and retold in his usua ...more

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About Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie

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Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie is a novelist and essayist. Much of his early fiction is set at least partly on the Indian subcontinent. His style is often classified as magical realism, while a dominant theme of his work is the story of the many connections, disruptions and migrations between the Eastern and Western world.

His fourth novel, The Satanic Verses, led to protests from Muslims in several coun ...more

Books by Salman Rushdie

Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Khalifa Brothers, #1)

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Quotes from East, West

“At sixteen, you still think you can escape from your father. You aren't listening to his voice speaking through your mouth, you don't see how your gestures already mirror his; you don't see him in the way you hold your body, in the way you sign your name. You don't hear his whisper in your blood.” — 10 likes

“I, too, have ropes around my neck. I have them to this day, pulling me this way and that, East and West, the nooses tightening, commanding, choose, choose. I buck, I snort, I whinny, I rear, Ikick. Ropes, I do not choose between you. Lassoes, lariats, I choose neither of you, and both. Doyou hear? I refuse to choose.” — 9 likes

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