Midnight’s Children

by Salman Rushdie
Midnight’s Children cover
Good Books rating 3.12
Technical:
  • ID: 1325
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-04
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
reddit.com · Unknown · 2025-10-04
disappointing 1.00

The reviewer finds Midnight’s Children overrated, convoluted, and boring, stating it's too complex for the average reader. They struggled to finish it and couldn't appreciate its acclaimed qualities.

The reviewer expresses a strong opinion that Midnight’s Children is extremely overrated, despite its numerous awards and accolades. They feel the book is too convoluted and complex for the average reader, making it difficult to enjoy. The reviewer admits to reading the entire book but couldn't wait to finish it, indicating a lack of engagement with the story. They suggest that the book might be more appreciated by those with a PhD in literature or Indian history, but for a casual reader, it falls short.

Quick quotes

    If you have a PHD in literature or Indian history, it’s probably fantastic, but for a normal dude like me it's simply too convoluted, boring and complex to get into.

    I read the whole thing, but I couldn't wait to get it past me.

    I feel like it must be one of the most overrated books ever.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-10-04
brilliant 4.50

Midnight’s Children is a masterpiece of modern literature, praised for its intricate plot and seamless blend of magical reality with historical events. The novel's exploration of post-independence India, including heavy truths about historical events, makes it a must-read for those interested in Indian literary canon.

Midnight’s Children is one of the best novels read in 2024, marking the reviewer's first experience with Salman Rushdie's work. Rushdie's storytelling is masterful, weaving an intricate plot that seamlessly blends magical reality with actual historical events, making the story captivating. The novel shines a light on heavy truths about post-independence India, including the 1975-1977 State of Emergency and the Bangladesh Liberation War, while keeping the narrative entertaining. The only minor criticism is that the narrative can sometimes lose its thread, contributing to the novel's considerable length. Overall, it is a must-read for anyone delving into the literary canon of India.

Quick quotes

    Midnight’s Children is one of the best novels that I have read so far in 2024!

    Rushdie is an amazing storyteller. He knows how to masterfully weave an intricate plot without overwhelming the reader, while at the same time alternating seamlessly between ‘magical reality’ and actual historical events.

    Overall, Midnight’s Children is a masterpiece of modern literature.

kirandellimore.com · Unknown · 2024-04-14
frustrating 2.50

Midnight’s Children is a challenging and dense read, with a non-traditional narrative structure and metafictional elements that may not appeal to everyone. While it offers a rich and powerful exploration of post-independence India, the book's crass sexualization and careless violence towards women are notable drawbacks.

Midnight’s Children is a dense and challenging read that doesn't conform to traditional literary conventions. The book's metafictional elements and non-linear narrative structure make it a difficult but rewarding experience for those who enjoy intellectual challenges. The story brims with the diverse cultures and history of India, offering a tender and unflinching portrait of the country. However, the treatment of female characters, with crass sexualization and careless violence, is a significant drawback. While it may not be a pleasure read for everyone, it is a valuable and powerful exploration of India's post-independence era.

Quick quotes

    You do it on purpose,’ she says, ‘to make me look stupid. I am not stupid. I have read several books.

    I am the sum total of everything that went before me, of all that I have seen done, of everything done-to-me. I am everyone everything whose being-in-the-world affected was affected by mine. I am everything that happens after I’ve gone which would not have happened if I had not come… I repeat for the last time: to understand me, you’ll have to swallow a world.

    Though the taste wasn’t for me, I won’t deny that this is one to sink your teeth into. Midnight’s Children is a brain-flexing cruise, winding its way through post-independence India like a riverboat.

darkerfables.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2020-09-10
brilliant 4.50

Midnight’s Children is a sprawling, magical, and deeply political novel that weaves together history and fantasy. The interconnected stories of the children born at midnight on India's independence are both captivating and thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the country's turbulent past.

Midnight’s Children is a monumental work that blends the magical with the historical, creating a rich tapestry of India's journey from independence to the present. The novel's structure, with its interconnected narratives of children born at the stroke of midnight, is both ambitious and effective, though at times the sheer scope can be overwhelming. The characters are vividly drawn, each representing different facets of Indian society, and their stories are imbued with a sense of destiny and fate. The political commentary is sharp and relevant, making the novel not just a work of fiction but a significant cultural artifact. While the plot can feel thin at times, the sheer imagination and depth of the writing make it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Midnight’s Children is a sprawling, magical, and deeply political novel that weaves together history and fantasy.

    The interconnected stories of the children born at midnight on India's independence are both captivating and thought-provoking.

    The political commentary is sharp and relevant, making the novel not just a work of fiction but a significant cultural artifact.

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