“Midnight’s Children” is a novel written by Salman Rushdie, first published in 1981. It is considered one of Rushdie’s most famous and acclaimed works and falls within the genre of magical realism.
The novel is set in India and spans several decades of Indian history, from the country’s independence from British rule in 1947 to the declaration of emergency in 1975. The story follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who is born at the stroke of midnight on the day of India’s independence. Saleem discovers that he is one of the “Midnight’s Children,” a group of children born at the same moment, each endowed with special powers and abilities.
As Saleem grows up, he finds himself at the center of key moments in Indian history, including the partition of India and Pakistan, the wars between the two countries, and the political upheavals of the 1960s and 1970s. Through Saleem’s experiences, the novel explores themes of identity, memory, nationhood, and the legacy of colonialism.
“Midnight’s Children” is praised for its rich prose, intricate storytelling, and imaginative blending of historical events with magical elements. It won the Booker Prize in 1981 and has since become a classic of contemporary literature, celebrated for its ambitious scope and powerful exploration of the Indian experience.
