The Satanic Verses
by zoss in repost, excerpts, books
by: Salman Rushdie
A man who sets out to make himself up is taking on the Creator’s role, according to one way of seeing things; he’s unnatural, a blasphemer, an abomination of abominations. From another angle, you could see pathos in him, heroism in his struggle, in his willingness to risk: not all mutants survive. Or, consider him sociopolitically: most migrants learn, and can become disguises. Our own false descriptions to counter the falsehoods invented about us, concealing for reasons of security our secret selves.
A man who Invents himself needs someone to believe in him, to prove he’s managed it. Playing God again, you could say. Or you could come down a few notches, and think of Tinkerbell; fairies don’t exist if children don’t clap their hands. Or you might simply say: it’s just like being a man.
Not only the need to be believed in, but to believe in another. You’ve got it: Love.
Comment by Marcus — 26/7/2005 @ 14:25
I had always wondered about this book … I am guessing you like it, since you are quoting passages from it. I really liked the opening chapter of “The ground beneath her
feet” — that is one of the most memorable single chapters of a book I have ever read. Maybe I will give this a try too.
Comment by zoss — 26/7/2005 @ 15:15
To be honest, I never finsihed it (do I have to?). I did like the part I read very much — including the first chapter, which I thought was very well written as well. For a while, after watching a Rushdie interview, I couldn’t get myself up to finishing it, but I think I might be past this now, so the intention is to pick up soon.