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Midnight's Children cover art

Midnight's Children

By: Salman Rushdie
Narrated by: Nikesh Patel, Meera Syal, Anneika Rose, Preeya Kalidas, Aysha Kala, full cast
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Summary

Nikesh Patel stars as Saleem in BBC Radio 4's epic dramatisation of Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize-winning novel of love, history and magic.

Saleem Sinai is born on the stroke of midnight on 14th-15th August 1947, at the exact moment that India and Pakistan become separate, independent nations. From that moment on, his fate is mysteriously handcuffed to the history of his country.

But Saleem's story starts almost thirty years earlier, when his grandfather, Dr Aadam Aziz, falls in love with a woman concealed behind a perforated sheet. That pivotal moment in Kashmir in 1919 sparks a series of bizarre events that will lead to a cryptic prophecy and the birth of a boy with an extraordinary destiny. As a 'Midnight's Child', Saleem has magical powers, and can telepathically tune in to all the other gifted children whose birth coincided with India's division. However, his strange entanglement with the fate of India will have dramatic repercussions for both him and his country....

Adapted by Ayeesha Menon, this dazzling dramatisation of Rushdie's many-layered, magical realist masterpiece is both an enthralling family saga and a riveting history of post-colonialism. First broadcast to mark the 70th anniversary of the Partition of India, it features Nikesh Patel as Saleem, with a star cast including Abhin Galeya, Meera Syal, Anneika Rose and Narinder Samra.

Also included is an interview with Salman Rushdie, in which the author talks to radio drama director Emma Harding about his multi-award winning novel.

Midnight's Children won the Booker Prize in 1981, and was subsequently awarded the 'Booker of Bookers' prize in 1993 and 'The Best of the Booker' prize in 2008.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Critic reviews

"Radio drama of the year." (Gillian Reynolds, The Telegraph)

What listeners say about Midnight's Children

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another fantastic dramatisation by the BBC

BBC Radio 4 have dramatised Salman Rushdie’s 1981 Booker Prize winning novel ‘Midnight’s Children’ to mark the 70th anniversary of the Partition of India.

A superbly crafted story which in the 13 minute interview at the end, we learn took Salman Rushdie 5 years to write.

Another fantastic dramatisation by the BBC, I really enjoyed it. 5*

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3 people found this helpful

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Moving story

A beautifully written book set in India. The story is very moving and imaginative, brought to life by excellent narration. I was drawn into the story very quickly and my attention held to the very end.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enthralling and hugely entertaining.

I heard this when it was first broadcast on Radio 4 but having heard more about Rushdie in the context of the 30 year anniversary of the fatwa, (issued for The Satanic Verses) I wanted to listen to this again.

The story is imaginative, evocative of India and gripping. it also uses major events leading up to and following partition to give a historical context to the narrative.

Rushdie won the 1981 Booker prize for Midnight's Children and went on to win the Booker of Booker prize. Well deserved in my opinion.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining

The performances were brilliant and it was easy to imagine the scenes.

I didn’t know the story and found myself having to hit rewind quite a lot, so that I could follow what was happening. There are a lot of characters and I felt that some of them had more to tell than there was room for in a short adaptation. Five hours or so is probably not enough for a story that takes place over thirty years. I think this adaptation would probably be more suited to those who have already read the book and know the intricacies of the story.

I did enjoy the book and I’m keen to listen to another Salman Rushdie novel soon.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Even with bonus interviews at the end!

Read to show support to Mr. Rushdie in recent events. Didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. Loved the history, controversy, the question of us, our role, what we do and who we are, not so keen on the bits of fantasy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly Enjoyable Performances

Loved it! Recommend. I enjoyed the entwined of factual events and magical elements intertwined .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great adaptation

I was intrigued to read this book but found it overwhelming. This radio adaptation brings the book to life in an accessible, vibrant and gripping way. I would recommend it wholeheartedly. Great acting and adaptation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A gem..!

I hummed and harred about listening to this production of Midnight's Children, because I'd seen the film and tried to read the book - but failed as it's overly eloquently written. But I need not have procrastinated so, it is a fantastic dramatisation by the BBC.

You really get a flavour of India and the culture, and the characterisation by the actors is superb. The story is wonderfully brought to life, and it engages the listener in a way that surpasses the book and film.

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  • Overall
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the greatest adaptation ever made

I couldn't turn it off, I'm only in my 30's and found this book on radio 4. they didn't keep the book on BBC sounds and couldn't believe it when I saw it to download on audible.
this story needed to be adapted into a dramatisation. the detail and impact of the story would have been lost with a single narrative. thank you

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book

Great story, brilliant characterisation. I couldn't stop listening to this book. No wonder it won the Booker prize

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