The Satanic Verses

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING
Review: I picked this book up knowing nothing about it. I found a wonderful work of FICTION. One of the best books I have ever read. It is a bit confusing in the beginning but it all comes together. Well worth it!

Rating:
Summary: A Genuine Masterpiece
Review: This is one of the finest novels I've read. I've read it several times since I bought it twelve years ago, and each time mines new meaning and pleasure. I do not understand those who strongly dislike the book, as do several reviewers here, but it is interesting to find that most reviewers either loved this book or hated it; there is little middle ground. This alone speaks to the greatness of Satanic Verses; as it seems that only a masterpiece could elicit such strong and disparate emotions. I say forget the Fatwah and read this book for yourself. Your reaction will provide valuable insight into who you are.

Rating:
Summary: Rushdie's Masterpiece
Review: The book isn't a blasphemy against Islam; the death sentence pronounced against the author was an insult to everything Islam is supposed to represent. I have never seen or heard of so many people condemning a book they never read. If this isn't the height (or depth) of ignorance, tell me what is. The Satanic Verses is a tour de force. I have read it three times since it was first published and it still fascinates me. There is so much happening in this book that it is several books in one. Those who are upset at the protagonist's ravings against Islam don't seem to realize that these are the ravings of a disturbed mind; Gibreel is a paranoid schizophrenic whose tortured fantasies can only end in the tragedy that finally releases him from his inner hell. Rushdie is an incredibly gifted writer: one moment he is laughing-out-loud funny, and at other times his prose verges on the poetic. Read this book with an open mind; it's a treasure-house to be explored over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Unexpectedly comical and enjoyable
Review: Unfortunately, this book's reputation precedes it. I came to it expecting a dry, deadly serious text on Islamic theology. In fact, the novel is a lighthearted delight. Rushdie is a master storyteller, punner, joker, and all-around wit. The renderings of Bombay street English are wonderful. The criticisms of Islam -- and they are not even so obvious as to be vulgar -- don't even come up all that often. On the one hand, Rushdie ensured himself a lifetime of fame and notoriety by having the Ayatollah's death warrant issued against him; on the other hand, perhaps the book's notoriety prevents people coming to it with a fresh mind, for an enjoyable, entertaining, thought-provoking read, which is exactly what it offers.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, delightful, energetic read
Review: Possibly my all-time favorite book. Rushdie amazingly followed Midnight's Children with another classic. A frenetically paced story of two fallen angels, modern day Bombay, the birth of a religon. Delightfully, Rushdie leaves no facet of this jewel unexplored. Forget all the controversy surrounding this novel. Read it because it is Rushdie at his best, spinning epic stories in his beautiful style, for our delight. I've read this novel at least five times, and each time it leaves me with a smile on my face!

Rating:
Summary: complex, thought-provoking, funny
Review: This perhaps one of the greatest books I have ever read. What I find so fascinating and compelling about Rusdhie's writing is his ability to address mutliple cultural, social and political themes within a single work. His witty and darkly satirical writing style also lend tremendous humour to this work. Mr. Rushdie explores everything from the legacy of colonialism and neo-colonialism, questions the basis of Western notions of good and evil, challenges religious extremism and ponders the complexity of human relationships. Certainly, this isn't an easy book. However, I feel that the issues that Mr. Rushdie seeks to address are not simple ones.

Rating:
Summary: One of the great books of the century
Review: For anyone who likes literature as literature (as opposed to entertainment and good clean fun) S.V. is for them. It isn't any easy book, in the beginning. The dialect takes some getting used to, and the jokes are subtle and easy to miss. The first time I read S.V. I had to read the first chapter aloud... and slowly. But from the first 'Everest' reference about the aircraft's altitude when the explosion occurred (was it really 27,000 ft, or 27,002?) the themes of S.V. revealed themselves. Truth vs. falsehood, certainty vs skepticism, the fanaticism of received faith vs. self doubt all receive treatment that isn't typical outside of required reading in college. Nevertheless, S.V. is exciting and worthwhile. One of the pleasures of a close reading of S.V. is to notice the influence of other writers - both their voices and their themes - in Rushdie's writing. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is in evidence, as is Kurt Vonnegut. But Rushdie's voice is his own, even if it is sometimes something of a collage. Regarding the controversy: Even without an understanding of the Islamic issues, it is easy to understand how revolutionary Iranians could be upset by the book. The unflattering description of the exiled Ayatollah had to strike a nerve with followers of the Ayatollah Khomeni. Was Rushdie intentiionally playing with fire? Also, the whole story of the relationship between the 'angel' Gibreen and Mahound brought up some suspicious issues... like those surrounding the orgins of many faiths. That said, however, maybe we can keep in mind the justice meted out by the author himself. (But here I will keep silent... let the reader read it for her/himself). And before reacting to the stories, maybe the POINT of the stories should be kept in mind: At the bottom of every belief there are grounds for doubt. While not necessarily discrediting belief, these grounds are a rational check on action. Wtihout questioning all of received revelation, maybe we each should question the lights illuminating our own understanding of revelation? So before I choose to blow up an airliner, for instance, or lead a flock of believers into the sea, maybe I should question the source of that light. Satan is an angel of light, as well as a liar (as we say here in the South). So maybe we should act (or refrain from acting) with that in mind. That is one of the main points I got out of S.V.

Rating:
Summary: Frfom a Christian Perspective
Review: After decades of of satanizing other forms of organized religion, it is ironic that the Muslim community should react so strongly to a single piece of criticism. We've all seen the burning in effigy of western political and religious leaders by riotous masses in mideast countries. Somehow we manage to understand and not hate you for it (Last time I checked, most Muslim countries are receiving western aid of some sort). The fanatacism and uproar over this book is what caused interest and brought fame to what would have been an otherwise obscure work. It is a pity that followers of Islam so openly denounce other religions but can take no criticism of their own.

Rating:
Summary: A devastating blow to Islam
Review: Salman Rushdie does a great job of blindfolding people from understanding the true beauty of Islam. He continuously insults and criticizes the religion as well as the prophet. The book is written wonderfully in terms of literary concept, but the information is flawed. I advise that if you read this book do not take what is mentioned about Islam and face value, rather understand what Islam is and than make your own decisions, instead of believing what Rushdie says. The book is a blasphemy to everything Islam stands for.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book. Read the author who influenced it.
Review: If you love this book (as I do), run to the nearest bookstore and pick up "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov. This novel had a profound influence on "The Satanic Verses" and is, in the opinion of many besides me, one of the best novels of the 20th century. Too bad Bulgakov is not so well known outside of college Russian departments; he is amazing. Just make sure that you avoid the Glenny translation.