'East, West' by Salman Rushdie is a collection of short stories that are organized into three sections: East, West, and East West. The stories cover a wide range of themes and settings, including interactions between India and Britain, historical imaginings, futuristic scenarios, and cultural clashes. Rushdie's writing style is praised for its originality, lyrical storytelling, great imagination, and versatility as a storyteller. The book includes stories that range from playful and whimsical to serious and thought-provoking, showcasing Rushdie's mastery of language and ability to weave together diverse elements.

Characters:

The characters embody the complexities of cultural identity and interactions, often showcasing unique traits and relatable conflicts.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by lyrical and imaginative prose, with a blend of humor, seriousness, and Rushdie's signature magical realism.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a collection of nine short stories organized into three thematic sections that explore cultural identity and interactions between Eastern and Western societies.

Setting:

The setting shifts between India and Britain, enriching themes of cultural identity and interaction throughout the narratives.

Pacing:

The pacing of the stories is varied, combining fast-paced narratives with more contemplative and dense storytelling.

The dusty compound between the bus stop and the Consulate was already full of Tuesday women, some veiled, a few barefaced like Miss Rehana. They all looked frightened, and leaned heavily on the arms o...

Notes:

East West is Salman Rushdie's first collection of short stories.

The book is divided into three sections: East, West, and East West.

Each section contains three stories, focusing on themes of culture and identity.

The first section, East, features stories with Indian settings and themes.

The standout story in the East section is 'Good Advice Is Rarer Than Rubies,' praised for its charm and romance.

The West section features stories like 'Yorick,' a reimagining of Hamlet, and 'At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers,' which explores consumerism.

In the East West section, stories such as 'Chekov and Zulu' showcase the blend of Indian and Western cultures.

Rushdie's writing is noted for its lyrical quality and mastery of the English language.

Some readers found the West section less engaging than the East stories, feeling it strayed too far from Rushdie's strengths.

One of the most praised stories is 'At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers,' noted for its unique take on the Wizard of Oz mythology.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include themes of cultural conflict, references to religious items, and issues relating to morality and crime.

Has Romance?

There are elements of romance in some stories, particularly in the interactions between characters from different cultural backgrounds.

From The Publisher:

From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Satanic Verses comes nine stories that reveal the oceanic distances and the unexpected intimacies between East and West. Daring, extravagant, comical and humane, this book renews Rushdie's stature as a storyteller who can enthrall and instruct us with the same sentence.

What can you read after
East, West?

See the list (29 books)

About the Author:

Salman Rushdie is the author of fourteen novels-including Luka and the Fire of Life; Grimus; Midnight's Children (for which he won the Booker Prize and the Best of the Booker); Shame; The Satanic Verses; Haroun and the Sea of Stories; The Moor's Last Sigh; The Ground Beneath…

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East, West

Salman Rushdie