Martine Liponoga answers “when a novel is controversial enough to...”

اية محمود Aya Mahmoud asked this question about The Satanic Verses:

when a novel is controversial enough to cause deaths and death threats I start doubting the author's talent, so could someone answer me honestly and impartially, is this controversial novel actually a good piece of fiction or is it just going to anger me as a Muslim is I tried to read it and add nothing good?

Martine Liponoga Aya Mahmoud - did you read it in the end?? I've just finished and absolutely loved it. It took ages! 3 weeks! In case you haven't read it, I'd say it'…moreAya Mahmoud - did you read it in the end?? I've just finished and absolutely loved it. It took ages! 3 weeks! In case you haven't read it, I'd say it's really heavy going in terms of the prose, but it was honestly one of the best things I've ever read, just from the use of language point of view. Total wordsmith. As a near athiest, I genuinely couldn't see what was offensive about it. So I looked it up, and I understand what people are saying, but it still seems utterly disproportionate to me. So I'd be interested to hear if it did anger you as a Muslim. Either way, if you gave it a go, I hope you enjoyed the language! (less)

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The Satanic Verses

by Salman Rushdie

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