Midnight's Children

By: Salman Rushdie

Narrated by: Lyndam Gregory

Length: 24 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Man Booker Prize Winner, 1981

Salman Rushdie holds the literary world in awe with a jaw-dropping catalog of critically acclaimed novels that have made him one of the world's most celebrated authors. Winner of the prestigious Booker of Bookers, Midnight's Children tells the story of Saleem Sinai, born on the stroke of India's independence.

©1981 Salman Rushdie (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Burgeons with life, with exuberance and fantasy . . . Rushdie is a writer of courage, impressive strength, and sheer stylistic brilliance.” (The Washington Post Book World)

“A marvelous epic . . . Rushdie’s prose snaps into playback and flash-forward . . . stopping on images, vistas, and characters of unforgettable presence. Their range is as rich as India herself.” (Newsweek)

“Extraordinary . . . one of the most important [novels] to come out of the English-speaking world in this generation.” (The New York Review of Books)

Slightly flawed masterpiece

The writing style is superb. The delivery is superb. The only problem is in the "plot"; a weird mixture of history and fantasy. Also, it goes on for too long in a number of places. But it is a real pleasure to listen to, and I could not imagine a better verbal rendition of it.

Too laborious of a listen for me.

I did not understand what was being said and could not follow very well. I think I need to read it instead, but don't have the time to study his style.

One of the best narrators encountered so far

What does Lyndam Gregory bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This man is one of the best narrators I've heard. He has a good dramatic voice and an understanding of English AND the Indian "varieties." His portrayal of women is as good as that of men, and he gave the different characters their own distinct voices.

Wouldn't have made it through without the narrator.

Maybe it's my ADD, but I became impatient with Rushdie's meandering, albeit pretty, prose. The writing did evoke a sense of Indian mysticism, but without the stellar narration the words just wouldn't have come alive for me.

Audio saved me

So difficult to read this book. The audio by Lyndam Gregory saved me. He changed his voice making it play-like sometimes and otherwise read it flawlessly. Terrific.

Performance was INCREDIBLE

The book is as good as everybody says it is but on top of that the performance by Lynda Gregory was amazing. A very captivating storyteller.

A wild ride

Hm. This is a mix of magic realism or realistic insanity (clearly written after hundred years of solitude, and ken kesey)... Plus Indian history put through the ringer... Plus an author going overboard in enjoying to finally being allowed to freely formulate, fabulate, spin tales and ideas (an escaped ad agency employee let loose!).

I had, obviously, heard about Mr Rushdie before. Just didn’t know it would be like this.

I will read / listen to more of his works. If I had a wish for those, it’d be for a little more structure, maybe. I might enjoy encountering as little structure again, but it might become tedious at some point...

Lydham Gregory makes the tale accessible to Western ears!

First rate performance by an Anglophone, Indian-English, AND Indian voice. Gregory’s voice is perfect,

Caution; only for those willing to stretch their mind and follow the most fantasmagorical story I have ever read.

A beautifully written and presented fantasy history of the birth of India and Pakistan seen through the eyes and mind of a master. Once you get in the rhythm it flows smoothly and is thoroughly enjoyable.

Worth the prize

What a beautiful piece of writing. The story is fantastic and deep. Personalities and characters are wonderful and have just the right amount of depth. A must read.