**Group Read: Midnight's Children General Thread**

This will start on March 1st. I personally have never read Rushdie but I think this is a very good place to start!

Week One, Book One: here
Week Two Book 2: here
Week Three Book 3: here

OK Mark now all I have to do is get a copy of the book:)

I have a copy of the book, now I just need to decide whether or not I want to read it next month!

I put a link on the group page for this one. Feel free to add an announcement on the Message Board thread.

I have got to locate my copy now! I know it is here somewhere.

ETA: Found my copy, so I am ready to go!

Joanne- I hope you decide in our favor! Love to have you!
Jim- Thanks for adding link! BTW, how is that done? And are you joining us?

Mark - I've never read Rushdie before either... Luckily a copy of Midnight's Children came into the shop via a friend of my mum's yesterday, so I've *ahem* 'borrowed' it to see how I get on!

Count me in. I am excited to be reading my first Salman Rushdie book. And to be spending time with all of you.
belva

I've got a copy that I want to read - it is one of those that I tried many years ago but failed to finish. It will be good to have the support of the group to help me read this;-)

Owww I really shouldn't do any more group reads but this is on my determined to read in 2010 list... so why not - I'm not exactly enthusiastic about reading it after giving halfway through as part of a Uni course, still need something to get me started again!

Would love to join in on this as I often cite Midnight's Children as my favourite book even though I have only read it once.

Could I suggest an hour spend scanning wiki or similar for brief accounts of (a) India's post independence history, especially the immediate event's after independence day and the war with Pakistan in 1970 and (b) the major Hindu deities. The book is really rich with symbolism and parallels and an hour or two's study would be very well repaid.

#11: I will take your suggestions to heart and do some advance studying. Thanks for the help!

Good advice, jintster. I'll do that, though I think a great book ought to be able to stand on its own. Can't blame the book/author if, as a reader, I don't have the background knowledge to get the symbolism/parallels, but that's not usually what grabs me about a book anyway. Mark, going to the post office on Friday.

jintster- I agree with Bonnie, great suggestion! Anything to enhance the enjoyment, I'm up for!

I read the first few pages and I'm hooked. Can't wait to join you guys - 'specially since I hate to feel left out! ;)

i agree with jinster that a little background info on the subjects she mentioned would better the reader's appreciation for this book. Midnight's Children is one of my favorite novels and while i won't be joining you on this group read, i hope to follow your discussion closely.

Joanne- I'm glad you are joining us! It looks like we are all-ready starting to build some nice buzz here!

What is the timeline for reading/finishing this (beyond starting Mar. 1)? I am doing two other group reads and am not sure I can handle another, but this sounds interesting . . .

Terri- I think we will read it in a 3 week time-frame. Rushdie has separated the book into 3 sections, so that should work perfectly. Hope you can hop aboard!

Already got my copy! Only have finish WWE, another book I'm reading and 100 pages of Moby Dick.

I only have it readily available via audio book, and really don't want to invest in a purchase. Does anyone have any idea if that format would be good for this title?

It would be perfect for the time-frame you suggest, as NetLibrary audio books check out to folks in our system for three weeks.

I will try to join in too, though the 3 week time frame may not work for me. And with reference to #11, I would be glad to share any India related information the group seeks.

I really loved the book, and although some bits are quite tiring, its magic realism is a delight. I also agree with jintster, you should have some backgrout about Indian history, otherwise many details will get lost in the way.

I'm planning to join in, I'll have to track the book down at the library very soon! Things are starting to settle down at work so I should be able to keep up...fingers crossed!

Hey everyone! I hope you have all found a copy! We start in just a few days! I thought we could take 3 weeks to read it. The book is presented in 3 parts, so I will post 3 spoiler threads, one for each segment. I will do that very soon!

This is what Jintster recommended in msg #11:
"Could I suggest an hour spend scanning wiki or similar for brief accounts of (a) India's post independence history, especially the immediate event's after independence day and the war with Pakistan in 1970 and (b) the major Hindu deities. The book is really rich with symbolism and parallels and an hour or two's study would be very well repaid."
It's a terrific idea!

I would like to join in if I can get a copy from my library tomorrow. I've found the spark notes website often has some good notes on the author and historical background.

I picked up my copy at the library last weekend and am finishing my current book tonight, so I am ready to go!

Thanks for the spark notes link, souloftherose! I've found their notes very helpful for a lot of classics and literary novels.

I've posted the 1st weeks thread: right here
I posted links in message #1, for all 3 weeks. Hope that makes it easier!

I think I'm going to skip this group read -- too behind on my other group reads. I hope you all enjoy the book and look forward to your comments.

Found the thread....found the book....now I have to get reading!!

I finally got my library copy and will see you over on the discussion thread in, erm, 140 pages!

Started reading, will join in on the discussion thread in a day or two!

Hey there late arrivals! Glad you could make it! We start Book 2 on Monday! Looking forward to your thoughts!

I finally got my book in the post today. Wowzer!~! Amazon with expedited shipping and it took over a week. belva is not happy!~!
But I was right at the tail end of Job: The Story of a Simple Man by Joseph Roth; one of our "Mini Author Theme Reads" and what a wonderful book that was. So the timing was actually okay.
I am on about page 45 and not really caring so very much about Midnight's Children at this point. I am fairly certain, however, that this will change.
See y'all over on the chatty threads.
belva

I was glad to find this thread 10 days ago, as Midnight's Children had been sitting on my tbr pile for ages - finally some motivation to get started!
It was quite a struggle to get through book 2 in time, but I was able to finish it yesterday (Sunday night) and started book 3 today. Will post my thoughts on the discussion threads.

I hope you all are enjoying this read. I found it amazing and even educational.