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The iconic masterpiece of India that introduced the world to “a glittering novelist—one with startling imaginative and intellectual resources, a master of perpetual storytelling” (The New Yorker)WINNER OF THE BEST OF THE BOOKERS • SOON TO BE A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of all time • The fortieth anniversary edition, featuring a new introduction by the author Saleem Sinai is born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the very moment of India’s independence. Greeted by fireworks displays, cheering crowds, and Prime Minister Nehru himself, Saleem grows up to learn the ominous consequences of this coincidence. His every act is mirrored and magnified in events that sway the course of national affairs; his health and well-being are inextricably bound to those of his nation; his life is inseparable, at times indistinguishable, from the history of his country. Perhaps most remarkable are the telepathic powers linking him with India’s 1,000 other “midnight’s children,” all born in that initial hour and endowed with magical gifts.This novel is at once a fascinating family saga and an astonishing evocation of a vast land and its people–a brilliant incarnation of the universal human comedy. Forty years after its publication, Midnight’s Children stands apart as both an epochal work of fiction and a brilliant performance by one of the great literary voices of our time.

In Salman Rushdie's magical and sweeping "Midnight's Children: A Novel," we are transported to the tumultuous events surrounding India's independence in 1947. The story follows Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the very moment India gained its freedom from British rule. As the clock strikes twelve, Saleem is endowed with a telepathic link to a thousand other children born at that exact hour, forming a unique and extraordinary group known as "Midnight's Children."

With his enchanting narrative style, Rushdie weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of Saleem's life, intertwining it with the tumultuous history of India. Saleem's extraordinary gift allows him to experience the collective consciousness of his fellow Midnight's Children, sharing their joys, pains, hopes, and fears. We witness Saleem's coming-of-age, his encounters with love, loss, political turmoil, and the complexities of his identity as a child of a newly independent nation.

Through Saleem's eyes, we explore the vibrant and often chaotic landscape of India, grappling with the challenges of post-colonialism, the struggle for national identity, and the clash between tradition and modernity. Rushdie's vivid imagery and lyrical prose paint a vivid picture of a country in transition, capturing the essence of a nation grappling with its past and striving for a brighter future.

"Midnight's Children" is a multi-layered and thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of identity, history, politics, and the magical realism that permeates Indian culture. It is a testament to Rushdie's storytelling prowess, earning him the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981 and securing its place as a modern literary classic.

Dive into the world of "Midnight's Children," a novel that will transport you to a time of great change and captivate you with its magical realism, poignant storytelling, and profound insights into the human condition.