Midnight's Children, published in 1981, is an award-winning novel by Salman Rushdie. Writing from an autobiographical perspective, Rushdie weaves a tale of Indian history and culture, while commenting on colonialism, nationhood and identity. Through engaging storytelling, lyrical language, and at times a zany sense of humour, Rushdie transports the reader to the early twentieth century and through it to the birth of modern India.
The novel begins in the late 1940's in Bombay. Saleem Sinai is the narrator of the story and its protagonist. Saleem is born right at midnight on the day India gained independence from Britain in 1947. This coincidence marks him as part of a ‘midnight’s children’, a group of children born within the hour of India’s independence, and with supernatural powers. The character of Saleem Sinai undergoes many transformations throughout his life, which reflect the changing cultures and identities of India.
The novel centers on several themes, with colonialism, nationhood and identity standing in the foreground. Saleem’s birth coincides with India’s transition from the British Raj to independent India. Through Saleem’s story and experiences, the reader is able to explore the transition experienced by the Indian citizenry during this period of great change. Using his own family as examples, Rushdie constructs a vivid portrait of the tensions between the east and the west, which continue to exist in modern India.
Midnight’s Children manages to also tell a very funny story, as Saleem demonstrates his powers in wacky situations. His malapropisms often inject a light-heartedness in an otherwise serious retelling of Indian history. Rushdie’s lyrical language is captivating and mesmerising, creating a dream-like atmosphere as one reads through Saleem’s story.
Midnight’s Children is a novel that encapsulates the transition of Indian society and culture during the 20th century. Rushdie’s writing is vivid and displays his celebrated wit and style. Containing a multitude of characters, this work examines themes of colonialism, nationhood and identity from multiple perspectives. It is a rich, entertaining and thought-provoking piece of literature which has to be experienced to be appreciated.
