Victory City

A Novel

By: Salman Rushdie

Narrated by: Sid Sagar

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The epic tale of a woman who breathes a fantastical empire into existence, only to be consumed by it over the centuries—from the transcendent imagination of Booker Prize-winning, internationally bestselling author Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie is one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year • “Victory City is a triumph—not because it exists, but because it is utterly enchanting.”—The Atlantic

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The New Yorker, Time, NPR, The Washington Post, Chicago Public Library, Polygon, The Globe and Mail, Bookreporter

In the wake of an unimportant battle between two long-forgotten kingdoms in fourteenth-century southern India, a nine-year-old girl has a divine encounter that will change the course of history. After witnessing the death of her mother, the grief-stricken Pampa Kampana becomes a vessel for a goddess, who begins to speak out of the girl’s mouth. Granting her powers beyond Pampa Kampana’s comprehension, the goddess tells her that she will be instrumental in the rise of a great city called Bisnaga—“victory city”—the wonder of the world.

Over the next 250 years, Pampa Kampana’s life becomes deeply interwoven with Bisnaga’s, from its literal sowing from a bag of magic seeds to its tragic ruination in the most human of ways: the hubris of those in power. Whispering Bisnaga and its citizens into existence, Pampa Kampana attempts to make good on the task that the goddess set for her: to give women equal agency in a patriarchal world. But all stories have a way of getting away from their creator, and Bisnaga is no exception. As years pass, rulers come and go, battles are won and lost, and allegiances shift, the very fabric of Bisnaga becomes an ever more complex tapestry—with Pampa Kampana at its center.

Brilliantly styled as a translation of an ancient epic, Victory City is a saga of love, adventure, and myth that is in itself a testament to the power of storytelling.

©2023 Salman Rushdie (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An astounding work of historical fiction and magical realism . . . With wonder and humor, Rushdie spins a decades-long tale about power, philosophy, justice, and exile that boldly confronts the issues modern societies still face.”—TIME Magazine

“[Victory City] feels like a triumphant scream against censorship as well as a celebration of language, storytelling, and otherness. . . . Literature can offer guides to a better future, even when it’s fiction about the past, and Victory City is precisely that.”—Boston Globe

“Rushdie’s return to magic, myth, and India’s ancient stories is dazzling . . . Whether it’s an allegory for present-day India or a feminist retelling of a pre-colonial empire (or both!), Victory City nevertheless celebrates a singular story of female resilience.”—Esquire

Not my favorite Salman Rushdie’s book

Extremely circonlocutions story. The characters are not likable and the events run in a very speedy way. The narrator is absolutely excellent.

I love this book!

I was entranced from the beginning, pages to the end… A wonderful book for reading, or listening.

Riveting!

Enthralling, adventurous and consuming from beginning to end! A definite recommendation to any reader of quality literature.

Imaginative Rushdie novel brilliantly performed

Salman Rushdie is known for his inventive storytelling and Delhi-born narrator Sid Sagar doubles the impact with his marvelous performance. The complex and tongue-twisting Hindi names slide musically from him and his ebullient energy never wanes.

Rushdie master storyteller and Sagar master narrator

This was my fourth Salmon Rushdie book, and my goodness, it’s one of the best books i’ve ever had the pleasure of “reading” / listening to, and Sid Sagar narrating it was an absolute joy. Perfect match of story and storyteller. It’s an absolute new classic of Rushdie’s magical realism canon about a fictional India of old. An enthralling setting for me as a westerner. Rushdie’s voice is that of an old master storyteller with a modern twist. I can’t get over how good this was. I’m so glad Salman Rushdie is still producing some of his best work yet and putting it out in 2023! And so glad that Sid Sagar is around to read it to us. Magic.

What is the hype all about?

I chose this book because of what appeared credible statements of anticipation and of Salman Rushdie. As I proceeded into the book, I realized I had made a mistake. This is not a book that would interest me but since I had purchased it, continued to listen the fantastical story. I found it hard to follow the story line and the myriad of characters. As I continued on, I felt I finally “got it”. Although I wouldn’t recommend the book , I feel that my interests just lie elsewhere. The reader was perfect for the story.

Brilliant Author, Brilliant Story

Once again, Rushdie captivates, impresses, and entertains with his unparalleled storytelling mastery. Seamlessly, he weaves history, culture, and religion with a remarkable understanding of human nature into a compelling tale. A must read!

Imaginative

Part mythology, part history, part feminism and all Rushdie. A very powerful ending and last paragraph. Was skeptical at first but, worth the journey.

A masterpiece

What a delight, in this fraught moment, to be given a magical new novel by Salman Rushdie. Though “Victory City” was completed before the knife attack at Chautauqua , it’s impossible not to read parts of this grand fantasy as an allegory of the author’s struggles against sectarian hatred and ignorance. Indeed, given the physical and emotional sacrifices he’s made, some coincidences between this story and his own life are almost too poignant to bear.

Beautifully told story

This reminded me of the stories I’ve read about Solomon’s experiences mixed with the Gita or Book of Job. I know these are different cultures and beliefs, but brought similar feels and connections for me. It is a beautifully written book that I enjoyed; I just didn’t feel deeply connected to the characters or feel as drawn as I would have loved to be.