Owning books of different genres has become a fashion. That too, owning books of massive columnists and novelists is mania. Historical fiction is one among such styles that is most wanted by all the bibliophiles.
Salman Rushdie is an inspiring novelist, a British Indian originate which is reflected in his fictional works mostly based on the Indian subcontinent. Being a mixed culturalist, his writings are his thoughts upon those cultures, how those civilisations vary between the east-west stretch, with lumps of Indian styled fictions incorporated.
And yes! He’s the author of the Satanic Verses, a magical realistic verse. Here are 12 amazing Salman Rushdie books listed below.
1. Midnight’s Children (1981)
Midnight’s Children is one of the Salman Rushdie books that he wrote during 1980’s. A historiographic metafiction novel by Salman Rushdie portrays the instances originally and fictionally that were observed during the postcolonial period in India.
Saleem Sinai being the protagonist of the novel, narrates the historical events of transforming India from British colonialism towards its independence.
This 1981 historical fiction won the Booker Prize, Booker of Bookers Prize and many other significant awards alongside in 2003, it was listed in BBC’s “The Big Read Polls”.
One of the extensively celebrated books of all-time, this one is a great read!
2. Grimus (1975)
Grimus is the first literary book of Salman Rushdie in 1975. Are you a science fiction lover? Here’s a science fictional fantasy novel for you by Salman Rushdie. The Grimus is a story that tells how a flapping eagle roamed in search of his immortal sister.
The immortal potion plays an important role in the lives of people on the earth, conflicting between the thoughts of experiencing and exiting immortal power.
Though it dates long back, it is one of the good old Salman Rushdie books to read now.
3. Shame (1983)
Shame by Salman Rushdie is his third novel that depicts the political facet of India post partition. This 1983 novel primarily shows the lives of the two Pakistani supreme hands namely, Iskander Harappa and General Raza Hyder.
He shot out at the terms “shame” and “shamelessness” through the characters in this novel. It also brings the tinge of Omar Khayyam, a well-known Persian poet.
A political novel with no grief of fiction has brought out the prevailed complications of partitioned India with magical realism. It is one of the best Salman Rushdie books to read.
4. The Satanic Verses (1988)
Were you searching for this? Here comes the most awaited epic novel by Salman Rushdie that notified him for his magical realism besides a lot of controversies.
The Satanic Verses is the fourth novel by Salman Rushdie published in 1988. It could have been the matter of discussion and severe actions against this satire but his writing style adds a perk to it. The novel was penned on contemporary incidents and characters with a context partially inspired by the life of Muhammad.
With many positive reviews, it went all through the finals of the 1988 Booker Prize and won 1988 Whitbread award. This is yet another noted one among all Salman Rushdie books.
5. The Moor’s Last Sigh (1995)
The Moor’s Last Sigh is Salman Rushdie’s fifth novel published in 1995.
This historical fiction title is based on the Moorish king Boabdil and is connected with the political incidents of Indian states - Mumbai and Cochin.
Ranging from 1990s’ Bombay bombings, demolition of Babri Masjid till the prevailing issues of terrorism and gangster attacks by Dawood Ibrahim, political organisations like Shiv Sena, this novel is a domestic fictional package.
This Salman Rushdie book was a Booker Prize nominee and bagged the Costa Novel Award.
Worth reading!
6. The Ground Beneath Her Feet (1999)
The Ground Beneath Her Feet is a Salman Rushdie book of different genre - romance.
This fifth novel by him is inspired from the Orpheus/Eurydice myth and adopts rock music in place of Orpheus Lyre. The story sequence moves around two men falling in love with the same woman alongside the evolution of rock music. ‘What happens then?’ is the story.
Some characters take rebirth from his previous novels that make it as interesting as a good read.
7. Fury (2001)
Fury is Salman Rushdie’s seventh novel published in 2001. This psychological fiction depicts how a man from Bombay attempts numerous escapes from his dissatisfaction.
Since his graduation from Cambridge, he has been distressed pursuing a job for a long time. Finally ends up landing in New York City which is the plot Fury runs on.
The novel narrates the contemporary globalisation and its effects in New York City.
8. Shalimar The Clown (2005)
Shalimar The Clown is also a psychological fiction novel by Salman Rushdie that was published in 2005.
This award winning novel lays its base for the title from Shalimar Gardens of Srinagar. The plot goes around the main character Shalimar who enacts as the driver for American anti-terrorism activist, Max.
Overall, the story is all about how an affectionate, lovable man turns vengeful in revenge of a girl’s betrayal, in disguise.
One of the best of Salman Rushdie.
9. The Enchantress of Florence (2008)
The Enchantress of Florence is a successor of Shalimar The Clown book by Salman Rushdie, published in 2008.
This ninth novel by Salman Rushdie is a historical fiction that took years for him to research. His fictional thoughts have come up connecting the Italian visitor to Akbar’s court looking for lost relations.
This book is full of fiction, fantasy and fable. The novel is of three parts right from his arrival to Fatehpur Sikri to his uproar from the clutches of the Medici dynasty.
This is a compilation of storytellers, travellers and adventures in a wise way.
10. Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights (2015)
Two Years Eight Months and Twenty - Eight Nights is a fantasy fiction novel by Salman Rushdie.
One of the incredibles by Salman Rushdie is an epitome of perfect story creation and can never be replaced. It defines the standardized form of writing and brings on the unusual fantasy fiction.
The story talks about the Jinns of both good and bad kinds, former defending the human race from the latter. The title is adapted from the Arabian Nights while the story debates about reason and God.
Best recommendation for fantasy - fiction lovers!
11. The Golden House (2017)
The Golden House is the eleventh novel by Salman Rushdie, published in 2017. The story of Golden House is all about the modern political contemporary events of New York foreseen in short time interwoven with fiction.
A writing inspired from The Great Gatsby and The Bonfire of The Vanities sounds interesting with mysteries as you turn pages.
12. Quichotte (2019)
Quichotte is the novel by Salman Rushdie, lately published in 2019. This picaresque, magical realism novel was received well that focuses on an Indian American obsessed with a celebrity.
It takes the inspiration from the classic novel Don Quixote by the greatest Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes.
This style is liked by many which is why was again the nominee for the Booker Prize.
That is the end of Salman Rushdie’s epic novels. Despite the controversies out of his works, he stood still with his insights and opinions inked firmly, which has marked a writer’s quality.
Salman Rushdie’s books of different genres with each at least nominated for one reputant award is enough to define his writing standards and creativity.
Have a good read on these books!