Midnight's Children Group Read


I'm doing a group read together with Arti at Ripple Effects and Meredith at Dolce Bellezza.
We'll be tackling Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. I've been wanting to read this for a while and when I saw that Arti was planning to read it in 2012 in preparation for the film release later this year, I suggested a read-a-long. My only experience with Rushdie has been reading and abandoning The Ground Beneath Her Feet which isn't exactly his most popular novel. Midnight's Children won the Man Booker Prize in 1981 and then went on to win the Booker of Bookers in 1993, which commemorated the awards 25th anniversary. The latter award was given after the public voted from a selected shortlist.

The synopsis from the Amazon website:
Saleem Sinai is born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the very moment of India’s independence. Greeted by fireworks displays, cheering crowds, and Prime Minister Nehru himself, Saleem grows up to learn the ominous consequences of this coincidence. His every act is mirrored and magnified in events that sway the course of national affairs; his health and well-being are inextricably bound to those of his nation; his life is inseparable, at times indistinguishable, from the history of his country. Perhaps most remarkable are the telepathic powers linking him with India’s 1,000 other “midnight’s children,” all born in that initial hour and endowed with magical gifts. 

Since Rushdie won't be an easy read we decided to take this very slowly so this will be a long and relaxed group read. We don't want it to interfere with other reading plans. The book has 533 pages and is divided into three parts with the second part being the longest. We'll begin in March, and for four months at the last day of each month we'll post our review.

Here's the exact schedule for postings:
  • 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

As you can see we'll have more than enough time to get through the 533 pages. If you'd like to join, please let us know and take note of the schedule above. We'll do a reminder post in early March.

Comments

  1. I'm so excited to read this, s-l-o-w-l-y, with you and Arti. I know I'll need help with the tricky bits. I've never read anything by Rushdie before, but I've wanted to. Also, I feel comforted knowing there are you two (and perhaps others) by my side.

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  2. I am excited to be joining this with you - I have read some of the book and its very good if a little dense in places. The writing really is brilliant

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  3. Whoa, another blogger named (A)arti?! I must check her out :-)

    I really want to read another book by Rushdie- either this one or The Satanic Verses. But I don't think I can do the group read right now, unfortunately- will be looking forward to your reviews, though!

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  4. I'd love to join in this group read, I've never read any Rushdie - I've always felt a bit intimidated by him.

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  5. I will join you!! I have always wanted to read him, but never did so far. Thanks :)

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  6. Suddenly there are lots of groups reads that I'm really interested in... I really fancy reading a Rushdie this year, but as I've already read this, and seem to be doing lots of re reading at the moment, I'm torn about whether to join in or not.

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  7. Mrs. B,

    Thanks for initiating this read-along. I'm feeling the excitement already, and virtually meeting new friends already... like, someone with the same unique name, almost. :)

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  8. @Joanne, @from one experience into the next, @Booksnyc - that's great that you can all join the read-a-long!

    @Aarti - Yes another blogger with your name. It's such a coincidence. Try to join. It's a very very slow read-a-long.

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  9. Oh, yes, may I? Please? I started it years ago, put it down and have been meaning to get back to it ever since.

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  10. I also read this book with a fellow book blogger last December. We didn't find it as fascinating as we expected, the book being the Best of the Bookers. And the reading lasted for roughly two weeks. Perhaps we missed a lot of things? Happy reading!

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  11. I loooooved this book. My only other experience had been with THe Satanic Verses and it was disappointing. I barely had any idea what was going on half the time, but I couldn't put this down. I hope you enjoy it!

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  12. @Gavin - yes please join us!
    @Angus25 - Hmmm, I'm hoping I won't abandon this one.
    @Becky(Page Turners) - good to hear someone loved this book. I hope it will be good.

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  13. This looks really good! Count me in!

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  14. m in!!!
    i started it a few days back bt was kinda confused!!!
    hoping i wud get through this!!!
    :)

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  15. and since m new to these things...cud u help me in getting some more group reads??
    i mean if u have ny idea about any more such type of blogs???

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  16. I just started reading this on vacation last week. It is definitely complex but I think I will finish it up this weekend. I can't wait to see what you all write because there is so much worth discussing. This really is a good one for a book group.

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  17. @Thomas at My Porch - Great! So glad you can join.

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  18. Hi. I'd love to join you in your Group Read of Midnight's Children. It has been on my shelf for so long. :)

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  19. The local library has this book, so I am hoping to read along. - Fay

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