Review
"...a welcome addition to the Rushdie critical canon." --Wasafiri


Book Description
In this valuable study of Salman Rushdie, currently the world's most controversial writer, Professor Goonetilleke examines "the Rushdie affair," indicating that it is more complex than the terms in which it is usually projected--as freedom of expression versus Islamic fundamentalism. His focus, however, is on Rushdie as a novelist. He considers Rushdie's fiction as art, in all its richness of significance and technique, tracing the collage of autobiographical and historical elements, and analyzes Rushdie's complex position as a migrant writer, drawing on the cultural riches of two hemispheres while not belonging fully to either. He examines Rushdie's development as a writer and the innovativeness of his art that has made him a major postmodernist.


Card catalog description
In this study of Salman Rushdie, currently one of the world's most controversial writers, Professor Goonetilleke focuses on Rushdie as a novelist, but sets this within the context of 'The Rushdie affair' and the cultural background to his work. He indicates that the situation surrounding The Satanic Verses is more complex than simply 'freedom of expression versus Islamic fundamentalism, as it is so often presented. Considering Rushdie's fiction as art, in all its richness of significance and technique, he traces the collage of autobiographical and historical elements and analyses Rushdie's complex position as a migrant writer able to draw on the cultural riches of two hemispheres, while not belonging fully to either. In examining Rushdie's development as a writer and the innovative nature of his art that has made him a major postmodernist, Professor Goonetilleke offers full readings of Rushdie's work to date. He provides a lucid and comprehensive introduction to Salman Rushdie, rendering a 'difficult' author accessible to student, general reader and scholar alike.

About the Author
D.C.R.A. Goonetilleke is Professor of English at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In this study of Salman Rushdie, currently one of the world's most controversial writers, Professor Goonetilleke focuses on Rushdie as a novelist, but sets this within the context of 'The Rushdie affair' and the cultural background to his work. In examining Rushdie's development as a writer and the innovative nature of his art that has made him a major postmodernist, Professor Goonetilleke offers full readings of Rushdie's work to date. With original and fresh insight, he provides a lucid and comprehensive introduction to Salman Rushdie, rendering a 'difficult' author accessible to student, general reader and scholar alike.

FROM THE CRITICS

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