Midnight’s Children: Book 2

The largest of the 3 distinct sections of Midnight’s Children, book 2 begins at Saleem’s birth and concludes when he is 18. Much happens in those 18 years, but the largest events circle around Saleem’s abilities. When he is 10, he discovers he has special powers, as apparently do all children born in India in the hour of her independence. The powers vary from person to person, with those born closest to midnight being the most potent (in Saleem’s perspective anyway). Since he was born at the stroke of 12:00, his are the strongest, and his are those of telepathy. He can see into other’s minds and read their thoughts, even communicate. Unfortunately nothing good seems to come from this supreme power (which he keeps hidden), and everything Saleem touches because of it goes foul, ending in anger, fights, and even deaths. The ultimate defeat is when Saleem decides to out an affair between adult friends, leading to a murder.

Of course a lot of other things happen; as with any family much changes over the course of 18 years. His childhood friends all move away. His immediate family goes through sweeping changes with illness, both physical and mental. His switch at birth is brought to everyone’s attention, with lasting ramifications. In a demoralizing moment, he loses his telepathic powers, before he is given the chance to ever use them for good. Book 2 ends during a war between India and Pakistan, in which very few bombs are dropped, but those that are manage to kill nearly all of Saleem’s family, leaving only his sister with whom he has been estranged.

I must say I enjoyed the first part of the book more. The second third was still good, but seemed to bog down in more metaphors and prophesied revelations than you can count. It wouldn’t have been so noticeable if Rushdie didn’t feel the need to beat us over the head with them at every turn. (“See how this came about? Just as it was before!” or “See how the name is similar to their old friend, and how those similarities existed!”) He really leaves little for us as readers to come to our own conclusions, choosing instead to point out every cause and effect to make sure we miss nothing. Still well written for sure, and I do want to see how Saleem’s life finishes, now that he is alone.