This book begins against the back-drop of the birth of Modern India as it frees itself of the yoke of British imperialism at the stroke of midnight on the 15th of August 1947.

The main protagonist of the story is Saleem Sinai, who is born at the very same instant as the above. He, and about 100 other children who are born around the same time as him, or within the next hour, are labelled as Midnight's Children. Almost all of them have a gift (or a curse, if you wish) - one is a witch, one has extra-ordinary power at the knees (shiva) and so on. Saleem is born with a large, misshapen nose, and has powers of telepathy and extraordinary olfaction.

The story traces the development of India alongside the growth of Saleem. The latter tries to contact all the other midnight's children by telepathy and invites them to join him in the formation of a group that can solve the problems modern India faces; his overtures are, however, rejected.

The book is written with flair, has language that makes one want to read some passages again and again, and has twists and turns that make one turn the pages fast.

All in all, a delightful read and a good mix of fact and fiction.

Indophiles, readers of good fiction.

the historical canvas as I could easily identify with it.

alternately nostalgic and delighted.

Salman Rushdie.

It meets with all my expectations of a good read.