August 15, 1947, midnight. India, a magical country where anything can happen, gains its independence after centuries of British rule. At that very moment, two children are born, Siva and Salim. Like all the other children born in India at that time, they are endowed with supernatural gifts.

The children grow up with India. Their lives are closely intertwined with their nation, its rich history, and its culture. And Salim records the often hilarious episodes that colored the course of his family, unintentionally giving a broader picture of young India, walking a tightrope between farce and tragedy. Prime ministers, revolutionaries, magicians, snake charmers, artists, and bureaucrats parade through a work of magical realism in which everything, unexpected and unbelievable, surprises the reader, keeping their interest unabated.

With a flash of unparalleled inspiration, Rushdie gives his best here, with unorthodox and subversive humor, with torrential vitality and rare narrative originality, making this spicy novel one of the masterpieces that marked the twentieth century and was rightfully honored with the Best of the Booker, the most prestigious English literary award.