The Satanic Verses

By: Salman Rushdie

Narrated by: Sam Dastor

Length: 21 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Inextricably linked with the fatwa called against its author in the wake of the novel’s publication, The Satanic Verses is, beyond that, a rich showcase for Salman Rushdie’s comic sensibilities, cultural observations, and unparalleled mastery of language. The tale of an Indian film star and a Bombay expatriate, Rushdie’s masterpiece was deservedly honored with the Whitbread Prize.

The story begins with a bang: the terrorist bombing of a London-bound jet in midflight. Two Indian actors of opposing sensibilities fall to earth, transformed into living symbols of what is angelic and evil. This is just the initial act in a magnificent odyssey that seamlessly merges the actual with the imagined. A book whose importance is eclipsed only by its quality, The Satanic Verses is a key work of our times.

©1988 Salman Rushdie (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"No book in modern times has matched the uproar sparked by Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses, which earned its author a death sentence. Furor aside, it is a marvelously erudite study of good and evil, a feast of language served up by a writer at the height of his powers, and a rollicking comic fable." (Amazon.com review)

"A rollercoaster ride over a vast landscape of the imagination." ( The Guardian)

"A masterpiece." ( The Sunday Times, London)

The Satanic Verses

Story: Very odd story. The mixing of a current day South Asian actor and the Prophet in his times. I see why Iranian leaders placed a price on his head for irreverent humor. I think the strongest element in the book is the imagery and imagination. I do not know the source of his inspiration and I never knew where he was going. I glad I read it finally and it was exploration of his South Asian - British world. I am not sure I would read it again and I doubt they will make it into a movie ... for a while.

Reader: Very good.

Production: Very good.

Pretty good..!

It will take you all over the place..
The story mixes reality with fiction and psychology..

Unbearable to listen to

It was all I could do to get through this audio book. The character voices used were like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. Maybe the story is good but the person reading it did a horrible job convincing me.

Unlike any other work of fiction!

Salman Rushdie's imagination is on an entirely different level. It's astounding that Ayatollah Khomeini thought it was appropriate to place a bounty on his head 34 years ago for this work of fiction. I laughed out loud several times and marveled at how Salman's mind imagined this story.

Best Narration Award

Wow! I would not have been able to read this book- complex and hard to track with so much dialogue, poetic language, and fantasy, but this narrator absolutely nailed it! Humor and empathy are brought to the development of each character. Really loved this audiobook.

Audiobook perfection?

Not for the feint of heart, but immensely rewarding, it's everything I love in a novel. Motifs weave their way in and out of the narrative effortlessly, and plays on words sometimes raise eyebrows, sometimes induce a guilty snicker. The language and ideas are quite playful while being earnest at the same time.

Although it is very challenging, the book can be enjoyed on many different levels. It's the only audiobook I've listened to more than once, and I always find new things to appreciate with each listen. If you can be content with enjoying the work for its simpler pleasures the first time through, you may find yourself enjoying it a second time, too.

If you find it challenging, I encourage you to enjoy it for whatever you can take out of it the first time. You may find yourself, like me, compelled to give it another listen, and dive deeper into the historical and cultural themes that I found quite slippery the first time through. I used a bit of help I found online when I got too lost. If, like me, you are completely ignorant of the history of Islam (including the Old Testament stories of Abraham, Hagar, Ishmael, etc...) you may want to find a primer online.

A note about the performance: This book, more than others, depends on a strong performance, and Dastor delivered in spades. He brought the characters to life and added to the richness of the book. He finessed, spun, chortled, and deadpanned the language as necessary to give the listener the best opportunity to get everything the book has to offer out of the audiobook. Bravo, bravo, bravo.

A look into otherwise hidden lives

Where does The Satanic Verses rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is profound in the realization of the sameness of everyday life.

What other book might you compare The Satanic Verses to and why?

I can't compare it to other books. It stands alone.

What about Sam Dastor’s performance did you like?

All of it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Perhaps not but I essentially did.

Any additional comments?

Nice writing style. Complex in concept but very insightful. I recommend it.

brilliantly told, brilliantly acted

I cannot express how much I loved this audiobook. the narration was versatile, crisp, well paced, dynamic, and wonderfully performed. the text itself is imaginative, compelling, deft, and in turns hilarious, irreverent, awe filled, and tragic. will definitely listen to again.

A beautifully written, and read, book.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book. I was swept up with the fantastical story. Will definitely recommend this.

Worth All the Hype

Huge, sprawling, and at times confusing, I absolutely adored this book. Mr. Dastor brought it masterfully to life.