Delightful
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I have just read this book as part of my degree and all I can say is I wish i read it sooner. It was brilliant. If I am ever asked where stories come from this book will be my answer. An absolute must for both adults and children!
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What is the use of stories that aren't even true?
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Have you read "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" by Salmon Rushdie? Better you have! Or else, I should cut off your eyes, have them sauteed in a little butter and garlic, and served to the hounds. Is it not the best beginning for a review of the wonderful book? Don't be afraid, it was just the words of the book's antihero. Still you'd better read the story. You are guaranteed to be glued to the book as the author has readers right in the palm of his hand. "Haroun" is an absolute gem, a wonder of wonders, a miracle of miracles! It's the most beautiful ode to "the Power of speech, the greatest Power of all". And more than that, it will keep setting you off laughing till the last page.
First of all, a few words about the plot. It centers around Haroun, son of the storyteller, who lives in so sad a city that it has forgotten its name. One day he sets off to Kahani, the undiscovered Earth's moon, to return his father's imagination and gift of the gab. An interesting place this Kahani is. It's divided into two parts. The first is the Land of Gup, where the sun never goes down. Its people are in charge of the Ocean of Stories. The second is the Land of Chup, where it is perpetual night. Its leader, the Cultmaster Khattam-Shud, is the Arch-enemy of all Stories and even the language itself. He plans to poison the Ocean of Stories, take over power and put the whole Land of Kahani into silence. Haroun is destined to ruin this plan and to save the people of Gup from Khattam-Shud. So great matters are afoot.
At first glance you might think that it's an ordinary fairy tale at the end of which good defeats evil and light wins a victory over darkness. But on second thought you'll discover that it is not as simple as that. Good is not always good and darkness has its fascinations, mystery and romance. If you are a philosopher by nature, you'll enjoy the novel as it is rolling in allegories and philosophical questions. The author gives many interesting answers to the key question of the book "What is the use of stories that aren't even true?" But it's up to you to decide which answer is right and whether this particular story is untrue.
Even if you are not a philosopher, the novel is worth reading. Whoever you are, you are guaranteed to find some ideas appealing to you. If you are a pacifist, you'll enjoy the beautiful trick by which the author makes war look very foolish. You wonder what it is. I'll tell you the secret. He makes his characters wear nosewarmers to prevent them from growing icicles on their faces in the cold Land of Chup. And hey presto! It turns out to be a war between buffoons, senseless and comic at the same time.
You consider yourself to be a democrat, don't you? Then you'll be fascinated by the state structure of the Land of Gup with its freedom of speech as the main value. Even the army of Gup is not an exception. Every order of commanders is thoroughly discussed and heatedly debated by ordinary solders.
If you are an antiroyalist, you'll laugh till your sides ache, reading descriptions of the members of the royal family of Gup. Prince Bolo is utterly useless as a state figure. His subjects don't take him seriously. He is not trusted to decide anything as far as state affairs are concerned for he behaves like a complete idiot. Furthermore, he is not able to head the war to save his princess as he is scared out of his pants at the first moment of danger. The Princess Batcheat, who is captured by the Khattam-Shud, appears to be a character completely unfitting to be saved. More than that, it seems that her capturers would be glad to return her as her caterwauling mouth and singing split the eardrums of everyone who happens to be nearby. In addition, the princess is no oil painting so that even horses whinny with horror at her name. But of course, it's not her fault, so we don't need to go on.
Are you not a feminist by any chance? If so, you'll definitely find the antidiscrimination tirades of the female page Blabbermouth appealing to you. She has to conceal her gender to be a royal page. But she is the bravest of the bravest and in the end she proves her right to be treated equally with men.
If you can't join the abovementioned groups, then just enjoy the happy ending. Love is supposed to conquer all, although it can also be a very foolish thing.
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Wonderful but a word of caution!
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I encountered this book during my degree and at first I was dismissive because it was a children's book and because of the political trouble that still surrounds Rushdie. However, I quickly changed my mind. I found it to be very refreshing and truly stands out, not only for children's literature but also adult literature. This does not mean, however, that his poltical viewpoints are not there, they are obscured by the context of the story. The volcabulary I found to be wonderful - I learnt a few new words myself! but not so difficult as to get in the way of plot. Above all it is about the wonder of the imagination and the power of language to change the world in which we live, power of father and son, and domestic redemption. If you give this story a chance you will be rewarded. However, a word of caution to parents: if you are separated from your partner/divorced this may give you children hope that you will get back together and if you are not ready to deal with questions from your children I advise you do not purchase this book.
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Lots of fun
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Plenty of fun to be had in this tale of a storyteller and his son. Rushdie imagines a world of light and dark, noise and silence, with some memorable characters and places. It's all done with great imagination and no small wit - reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. Really, it's a children's storybook, but with plenty to keep the adults entertained as well.
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PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!
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With Haroun Rusdie is amazing. A book of literature of words meant to excite, entertain, endear and enthuse the reader. A book written for children on the surface, a story which children should be thoroughly entertained by, but also a story that has the capacity to grasp the heart, soul - every fibre of the being of any person of any age and provide a fantastically vibrant read. Definitely read this book, along side the story being amazing it is highly literate, clever and insightful, amusing, plus a whole list of words and descriptions that could go on for a very long time, enough words possibly to fill the ocean....
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