I’ve tried reading several of his books but I just can’t get into them. I really, really wanted to read Midnight’s Children (the other ladies in my book club raved about it). And I tried, really I did. But after about 50 pages I just found myself losing the will to live. Something about his writing just leaves me cold and I can’t do it. I feel like such an intellectual pygmy. Aaaggghhh!
by LissyVee
19 Comments
Don’t worry, it’s normal. Just because an author is popular doesn’t mean that you have to enjoy their books. Remember: different people, different tastes.
Try reading Haroun and the sea of stories
If you like fairy stories, you could try Haroun and the sea of stories. He also writes some interesting essays if you wanted to look at those. Or he might just not be your kind of thing
> intellectual pygmy
don’t say this
Midnight’s Children is a challenging read. It’s very long, has sort of a sprawling narrative style, and requires a certain amount of knowledge about the history of modern India to really understand. You also have to remember that Midnight’s Children was one of Rushdie’s first novels, and his first literary success, so he was still working out a form that he perfected in later books.
If you’re looking for an easier introduction, maybe try The Enchantress of Florence.
You’re not an intellectual pygmy. You are an attentive and critical reader. Rushdie and all those other “magical realism” show-offs are dreadfully bad writers. Join the millions of us who cannot stand “look at me” writing. Alternative suggestion: anything by Richard Ford.
You’re allowed not to connect with/like/enjoy even “great” novels. Don’t worry about it.
You don’t have to like every book. You just need to make the attempt. Most people don’t read more than a Twitter post worth of words, let alone a novel. The fact that you attempted to read a great authors work is a testament to your intellect.
I can’t read Dostoevsky. I just can’t get down with the way he writes. It’s like that with many others. You’re not alone, stranger.
I can’t finish one thousand years on solitude. I have tried several times. Feels like one thousand years of boredom. Get a grip, not the end of the world.
You don’t have to like every book. You just need to make the attempt. Most people don’t read more than a Twitter post worth of words, let alone a novel. The fact that you attempted to read a great authors work is a testament to your intellect.
I can’t read Dostoevsky. I just can’t get down with the way he writes. It’s like that with many others. You’re not alone, stranger.
Pro-tip: Rushdie was strongly influenced by Sterne’s Tristram Shandy, which, in part, is about the difficulty of autobiography. It’s meant to feel like that, somewhat at least. Put it back on the shelves for a decade and return to it later. I’ve definitely found some books were better at different times in my life.
That’s fine. I love Rushdie’s work, but as others point out, he has a digressive narrative style. There is a lot going on in terms of the details, the characterization, and the like, but it’s not like reading genre fiction with a clear narrative voice.
There is nothing that you HAVE to like.
I’m right there with you. I really wanted to love Midnights Children, did not enjoy it at all.
Just force yourself to read it. You never know, you might feel better about it after page 100. It’s really worth reading so definitely persevere. You can do it.
And you don’t need a knowledge of Indian history to understand it, by the way. Just keep going.
Midnights children was such a slog. You have your own identity and you don’t need to enjoy the same things as other people.
If you tried and it didn’t click, what’s to feel guilty about? Not liking what other people like? Variety is the spice of life, and conformity the bane to intellectualism.
Same. And I am also dissapointed that I cannot connect with him because I enjoy his interviews!
Having said that we must all accept that [reading is like dating](https://excusemyreading.com/2018/10/18/6-reasons-why-reading-is-so-similar-to-dating-bookbloggerlife/).
I really liked The Ground Beneath Her Feet, though it took me several goes to finish it.
I did not and have no plans to finish The Satanic Verses.
As a kid I really liked Haroun and the Sea of Stories.