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Midnight's Children  By  cover art

Midnight's Children

By: Salman Rushdie
Narrated by: Nikesh Patel,Meera Syal,Anneika Rose,Preeya Kalidas,Aysha Kala,full cast
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Publisher's summary

Nikesh Patel stars as Saleem in BBC Radio 4's epic dramatisation of Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize-winning novel of love, history and magic.

Saleem Sinai is born on the stroke of midnight on 14th-15th August 1947, at the exact moment that India and Pakistan become separate, independent nations. From that moment on, his fate is mysteriously handcuffed to the history of his country.

But Saleem's story starts almost thirty years earlier, when his grandfather, Dr Aadam Aziz, falls in love with a woman concealed behind a perforated sheet. That pivotal moment in Kashmir in 1919 sparks a series of bizarre events that will lead to a cryptic prophecy and the birth of a boy with an extraordinary destiny. As a 'Midnight's Child', Saleem has magical powers, and can telepathically tune in to all the other gifted children whose birth coincided with India's division. However, his strange entanglement with the fate of India will have dramatic repercussions for both him and his country....

Adapted by Ayeesha Menon, this dazzling dramatisation of Rushdie's many-layered, magical realist masterpiece is both an enthralling family saga and a riveting history of post-colonialism. First broadcast to mark the 70th anniversary of the Partition of India, it features Nikesh Patel as Saleem, with a star cast including Abhin Galeya, Meera Syal, Anneika Rose and Narinder Samra.

Also included is an interview with Salman Rushdie, in which the author talks to radio drama director Emma Harding about his multi-award winning novel.

Midnight's Children won the Booker Prize in 1981, and was subsequently awarded the 'Booker of Bookers' prize in 1993 and 'The Best of the Booker' prize in 2008.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

"Radio drama of the year." (Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph)

What listeners say about Midnight's Children

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Superb

I remember reading this book in college. This excellent production brought back the book as I then imagined it. One of, if not the, best performances of an exquisite book on Audible!

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Too much

The sound effects are distracting and the dialoque is too soft. Couldn't get into it

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Really nice story and great interpretation

I enjoy a lot this audiobook. The story is well thought, and quite interesting, specially if you like India's history. I actually just regret that the audiobook didn't last longer. The interpretation is great. I would only complain that unlike other audiobooks this one required more attention because of the background noises and the fact that some voices overlap a little from time to time. I recommend this audiobook.

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Fantastic dramatization

I was so enthralled by the dramatization that I want to read the original book now! Thank you BBC for making it so unique, it was like watching a movie! Also, I very much appreciated the interview with the author at the end.

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The most confusing convoluted novel ever

The constant foreshadowing and mix of history with obvious fantasy had us thinking of never finishing this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful Dramatization & Telling

Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children is masterful storytelling beautifully dramatized. Loved it start to finish. The epilogue with Rushdie talking about the writing of the novel & his fears …

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  • 02-18-23

Magical, heartbreaking, and gripping

I couldn’t put this book down. Exciting, heartbreaking, magical, and raw. This story held me from beginning to end.

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Excellent dramatisation of a wonderful book

Top level production and acting, which really brings the story to life. One of the best purchases I’ve done on Audible, highly recommended!

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  • 02-16-23

Magical!

This was so much more than what I was hoping to find in a book as famous as this one!

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It is a recreation of the book with sound effects

This audiobook seems to be recreation with actors and sound effects. The production style does not allow the listener to concentrate in the story,

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