Banned in India before
publication, this immense novel by Booker Prize-winner Rushdie (
Midnight's Children ) pits Good against Evil in a whimsical and
fantastic tale. Two actors from India, "prancing" Gibreel Farishta and
"buttony, pursed" Saladin Chamcha, are flying across the English
Channel when the first of many implausible events occurs: the jet
explodes. As the two men plummet to the earth, "like titbits of tobacco
from a broken old cigar," they argue, sing and are transformed. When
they are found on an English beach, the only survivors of the blast,
Gibreel has sprouted a halo while Saladin has developed hooves, hairy
legs and the beginnings of what seem like horns. What follows is a
series of allegorical tales that challenges assumptions about both
human and divine nature. Rushdie's fanciful language is as concentrated
and overwhelming as a paisley pattern. Angels are demonic and demons
are angelic as we are propelled through one illuminating episode after
another. The narrative is somewhat burdened by self-consciousness that
borders on preciosity, but for Rushdie fans this is a splendid feast.
50,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo; first serial to Harper's; BOMC
alternate; QPBC alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc
