7.8 /10 1 Votes7.8
Pages 317 (1983 edition) OCLC 9646560 Original language English Genre Magical Realism | 3.9/5 Goodreads Publication date 08 September 1983 ISBN 978-0-224-02952-0 Originally published 8 September 1983 Country United Kingdom Page count 317 (1983 edition) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Similar Salman Rushdie books, Novels |
Shame is Salman Rushdie's third novel, published in 1983. Like most of Rushdie's work, this book was written in the style of magic realism. It portrays the lives of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Iskander Harappa) and General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq (General Raza Hyder) and their relationship. The central theme of the novel is that violence is born out of shame. The concepts of 'shame' and 'shamelessness' are explored through all of the characters, with main focus on Sufiya Zinobia and Omar Khayyám.
Contents
Shame discusses heritage, authenticity, truth, and, of course, shame and shamelessness, as well as the impact of all these themes on an individual, the protagonist Omar Khayyám.
Rushdie wrote Shame after his second novel Midnight's Children.
Shakil family
Hyder family members
Harappa family members
Additional characters
Plot
This story takes place in a town called "Q" which is actually a fictitious version of Quetta, Pakistan. In Q, the three sisters (Chunni, Munnee, and Bunny Shakil) simultaneously pretend to give birth to Omar Khayyám Shakil. Therefore, it is impossible to know who Omar's true mother is. In addition, they are unsure of who Omar's father is as the three sisters got pregnant at a house party. While growing up, Omar becomes mischievous and learns hypnosis. As a birthday present, Omar Khayyám Shakil's "mothers" allow him to leave Q. He enrolls in a school and is convinced by his tutor (Eduardo Rodriguez) to become a doctor. Over time, he comes in contact with both Iskander Harappa and General Raza Hyder.