Ok, I sort of didn't realize that this was technically a children's books. I also didn't actually realize Rushdie even wrote books for children. That said, the main difference between this and Rushdie's other novels for adults is that there are no scenes of erotic intimacy, less death and destruction, and more of a fantastical sense to it. I really did enjoy this book quite a bit but the one place Rushdie lost me completely in his constant comparison with his young adventurer protagonist to a video game scenario. As Luka enters a parallel world created from his dying father's subconscious and has to use his bravery and intellect to get the the end in order to save his father, Rushdie keeps referring to Luka's lives and levels as if it really were just a video game. It was a tiny bit cute in the beginning but wore on me and even annoyed me towards the end. It just served as a barrier for me to get truly wrapped up in the story and the characters and that seemed like the whole idea behind writing the novel in the first place. It even detracted from the much greater mystical sense to this work Still, Rushdie is a great author and if you are looking for a book to read to an adolescent male that doesn't suffer from lack of imagination and the art of telling a story vividly, don't hesitate to turn your attentions to this one. A couple of memorable quotes: pg. 37 "Things had changed in Kahani and sadness was no longer the city's principal export...People wanted to feel good even when there wasn't that much to feel good about, and so the sadness factories had been shut down and turned into Obliviums, giant malls where everyone went to dance, shop, pretend, and forget."pg. 112 "In the City of Dreams, Khwab, the night is the time when all its inhabitants' dreams come to life and are acted out in the streets-love affairs, quarrels, monsters, horrors, joys all throng those darkened lanes, and sometimes your dream may, at night's end, hop into someone else's head, and theirs end up confusingly, surprisingly, in yours." When I started reading this book, I loved everything about it so much I was on the verge of going out and buying a copy for everyone I knew.Later on I realized what I really loved was the dual presence of storyteller Rashid Khalifa, the Shah of Blah, inventor of the Magic World, and his deviously sarcastic twin and nemesis, Nobodaddy. Both of them, I'm sure, strongly reflect the personality of Rushdie himself and they're witty, sarcastic and fun to be with. It's those two characters who make the book rock.After they disappear, probably to let the nominal hero (Luka, age 12, pleasant enough lad) of the story (OK, but nothing special) have a go at being the center of attention, it just isn't the same. I still think maybe I should have given it five stars after all.
What do You think about Luka Dan Api Kehidupan (2010)?
Vous êtes en quête à une échappatoire mêlant le fantastique au mythique et le virtuel au philosophique? Ce livre est décidément ce qu'il vous faut!Relatant l'histoire d'un jeune garçon parti au périple pour sauver son père conteur, ce récit d'aventure épique vous isolera du monde et vous plongera dans une existence parallèle à temps complet. Il ne suffira pas de fermer le livre pour revenir à votre routine "normale", le côté surnaturel de votre existence, cette aptitude à voir le splendide dans le plat et le morne, cet "éblouissement enfantin" ne vous quittera plus désormais...Vous serez les bienheureux prisonniers du Monde Magique de Luka et Rachid Khalifa...Profitez de votre séjour et tentez de le prolonger!!
—mira
This is a children's book by Salman Rushdie, so by its very nature, it's a treasure. That said, I'm not sure most children would understand it on their own. He has so much fun with tangents and allusions and wordplay (which, of course, he's amazing at), that the story takes a backseat sometimes, and this might leave kids behind. But the story and characters are still worthwhile: there are video games, very rude otters, Doctor Who, Nobodaddy, flying carpets, a bully named Ratshit, fist-fighting beauty queens, and (in the most epic climax ever) all the ancient gods and goddesses invented by humanity throughout all time. So.
—ohno
