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Midnight's Children
- BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation
- Narrated by: Nikesh Patel, Meera Syal, Anneika Rose, Preeya Kalidas, Aysha Kala, full cast
- Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
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Midnight's Children
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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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Morse1960
- 26-02-19
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Wayne Duane
- 14-03-21
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Susan
- 14-03-18
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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Georgina
- 06-11-17
Brilliant work from the BBC
This is a great story, the narration, acting performances and sound effects took me on a real journey. I loved this adaptation.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nigel
- 18-09-17
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Charlotte
- 01-11-17
Fantastic
A chaotic and winding tale spanning 6 decades and 3 generations living through the partition of India. Mystic, smoldering and engaging throughout. A wonderful tale.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Grumpy1
- 12-11-17
An enjoyable listen
I first heard this on Radio 4. Was very pleased when I found the audiobook.
Thanks Audible.
Definitely worth listening to more than once.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 12-08-19
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 12-12-17
An absloute pleasure
Would you listen to Midnight's Children again? Why?
What dramatization !!
Background music , sounds and noises were on point.
Who was your favorite character and why?
all the characters were very well dramatized , flawless narration , relatable accents !!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Absloutely !!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bookish
- 18-05-18
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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2 people found this helpful