Midnight's Children is a novel by Salman Rushdie that tells the story of Saleem Sinai, a man born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the day India gained its independence from Britain. Saleem is one of 1,001 children born at the same time, all of whom have special powers. Saleem's power is the ability to hear the thoughts of the other children.
The novel follows Saleem's life from his birth to his adulthood. He is born into a poor family in Bombay and is soon adopted by a wealthy family. He is raised in a privileged environment, but his life is filled with tragedy and upheaval. His parents are killed in a plane crash, and he is sent to live with his aunt in Kashmir.
Saleem's life is further complicated by the political turmoil in India. He is caught up in the violence of the Partition of India and Pakistan, and he is forced to flee to Pakistan. He eventually returns to India and is reunited with his family.
Throughout the novel, Saleem is haunted by the other midnight's children, who are all connected to him through their shared powers. He is also haunted by the mysterious figure of Shiva, who is the leader of the midnight's children. Shiva is a powerful figure who is determined to use the children's powers to bring about a revolution in India.
The novel is a complex exploration of identity, history, and politics. It is a powerful story of a man's struggle to find his place in a rapidly changing world. Saleem's journey is a metaphor for the struggles of the Indian people as they strive to find their place in the world.
Midnight's Children is a powerful and moving novel that has won numerous awards, including the Booker Prize. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian history and culture.