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Salman Rushdie, a self-described ‘emigrant from one place and a newcomer in two’, explores the true meaning of home. Writing with insight, passion and humour, he looks at what it means to belong, whether roots are real and homelands imaginary, what it is like to reconfigure your past from fragments of memory and what happens when East meets West.
Selected from the books Shame, Imaginary Homelands and East, West by Salman Rushdie
VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS.
A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us human
For the full list of books visit vintageminis.co.uk
Also in the Vintage Minis series:
Love by Jeanette Winterson
Liberty by Virginia Woolf
Race by Toni Morrison
Sisters by Louisa May Alcott
Selected from the books Shame, Imaginary Homelands and East, West by Salman Rushdie
VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS.
A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us human
For the full list of books visit vintageminis.co.uk
Also in the Vintage Minis series:
Love by Jeanette Winterson
Liberty by Virginia Woolf
Race by Toni Morrison
Sisters by Louisa May Alcott
96 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2017
23 people are currently reading
658 people want to read
About the author
Salman Rushdie
201 books13k followersSir Ahmed Salman Rushdie is an Indian-born British and American novelist. His work often combines magic realism with historical fiction and primarily deals with connections, disruptions, and migrations between Eastern and Western civilizations, typically set on the Indian subcontinent. Rushdie's second novel, Midnight's Children (1981), won the Booker Prize in 1981 and was deemed to be "the best novel of all winners" on two occasions, marking the 25th and the 40th anniversary of the prize.
After his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses (1988), Rushdie became the subject of several assassination attempts and death threats, including a fatwa calling for his death issued by Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran. In total, 20 countries banned the book. Numerous killings and bombings have been carried out by extremists who cite the book as motivation, sparking a debate about censorship and religiously motivated violence. In 2022, Rushdie survived a stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.
In 1983, Rushdie was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He was appointed a Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 1999. Rushdie was knighted in 2007 for his services to literature. In 2008, The Times ranked him 13th on its list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945. Since 2000, Rushdie has lived in the United States. He was named Distinguished Writer in Residence at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University in 2015. Earlier, he taught at Emory University. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2012, he published Joseph Anton: A Memoir, an account of his life in the wake of the events following The Satanic Verses. Rushdie was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in April 2023.
Rushdie's personal life, including his five marriages and four divorces, has attracted notable media attention and controversies, particularly during his marriage to actress Padma Lakshmi.
After his fourth novel, The Satanic Verses (1988), Rushdie became the subject of several assassination attempts and death threats, including a fatwa calling for his death issued by Ruhollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of Iran. In total, 20 countries banned the book. Numerous killings and bombings have been carried out by extremists who cite the book as motivation, sparking a debate about censorship and religiously motivated violence. In 2022, Rushdie survived a stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.
In 1983, Rushdie was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He was appointed a Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 1999. Rushdie was knighted in 2007 for his services to literature. In 2008, The Times ranked him 13th on its list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945. Since 2000, Rushdie has lived in the United States. He was named Distinguished Writer in Residence at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University in 2015. Earlier, he taught at Emory University. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2012, he published Joseph Anton: A Memoir, an account of his life in the wake of the events following The Satanic Verses. Rushdie was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in April 2023.
Rushdie's personal life, including his five marriages and four divorces, has attracted notable media attention and controversies, particularly during his marriage to actress Padma Lakshmi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 13, 2017
Note to self: read more Rushdie.
September 1, 2017
This is not an independent work of Salman Rushdie.
It contains excerpts from four of his works that deal with the theme home.
Among the excerpts there is a short story from the collection East, West. I think that alone deserves a five star rating. And this book is worth for that story alone. The emotions related to home especially among the immigrants come powerfully alive in Rushdie's writings. This is the first time I am reading a Rushdie book. I am sure I will not stop at this.
A quote by Rushdie (the immigrant):
"Our identity is at once plural and partial. Sometimes we feel that we straddle two cultures; at other times, that we fall between two stools."
This quote comes very vividly in the story from East, West.
P.S. Before I venture into major writings of an author usually I test with one of his/her shorter works. For Salman Rushdie this was the short work I chose to begin with. Now that I have read I have no complaints. I certainly will read his other works.
It contains excerpts from four of his works that deal with the theme home.
Among the excerpts there is a short story from the collection East, West. I think that alone deserves a five star rating. And this book is worth for that story alone. The emotions related to home especially among the immigrants come powerfully alive in Rushdie's writings. This is the first time I am reading a Rushdie book. I am sure I will not stop at this.
A quote by Rushdie (the immigrant):
"Our identity is at once plural and partial. Sometimes we feel that we straddle two cultures; at other times, that we fall between two stools."
This quote comes very vividly in the story from East, West.
P.S. Before I venture into major writings of an author usually I test with one of his/her shorter works. For Salman Rushdie this was the short work I chose to begin with. Now that I have read I have no complaints. I certainly will read his other works.
June 27, 2017
Really enjoyed the writing style and it's made me want to pick up some of the authors full works, but I think this could've been better curated, as for someone unfamiliar with the Rushdie's history or background, these excerpts felt slightly disjointed.
November 7, 2025
“Home”, by Salman Rushdie contains excerpts from his previous written work and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Its simple analysis is all about what people constitute as home and what identifies them. It’s a short read and it depicts migration from the eastern and western worlds, combining actual memories with imagination is pivotal in creativity some version of personal truth that helps cope with loss and redefines people found in a new world, a new reflection as such.
I can’t image moving to a completely foreign land with a language that is alien in nature and then there are the completely different social norms and standards, the displacement would become disorienting, but people do this all the time. It’s a very thought provoking book, richly layered with historical and personal themes. When you make the decision to leave the original homeland, there are psychological and social ramifications. Often, stress set in builds which also often creates a sense of dual identity within the mind. You are physically present in one country while emotionally tied to another. The struggle is hold on dearly to your cultural heritage while feeling a sense of belonging to another culture. This book makes you think about the following questions: What is home? Where do I belong? Is home a geographical location?
After a little digging I found some interesting information on Rushdie. He has a major voice in “diaspora literature” his ability to meld personal, political, societal and cultural components makes for an excellent read. A home is something built internally, constructed from within. It’s the key to growth and transformation. You can find home in a foreign country.
A really good friend sent me this little treasure of a book and I know with upmost certainty that I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work. A little book that packs quite the punch!
I can’t image moving to a completely foreign land with a language that is alien in nature and then there are the completely different social norms and standards, the displacement would become disorienting, but people do this all the time. It’s a very thought provoking book, richly layered with historical and personal themes. When you make the decision to leave the original homeland, there are psychological and social ramifications. Often, stress set in builds which also often creates a sense of dual identity within the mind. You are physically present in one country while emotionally tied to another. The struggle is hold on dearly to your cultural heritage while feeling a sense of belonging to another culture. This book makes you think about the following questions: What is home? Where do I belong? Is home a geographical location?
After a little digging I found some interesting information on Rushdie. He has a major voice in “diaspora literature” his ability to meld personal, political, societal and cultural components makes for an excellent read. A home is something built internally, constructed from within. It’s the key to growth and transformation. You can find home in a foreign country.
A really good friend sent me this little treasure of a book and I know with upmost certainty that I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work. A little book that packs quite the punch!
April 16, 2019
This book contains four autobiographical excerpts from Rushdie's books, all of which deal with the idea and the feeling of Home. The excerpts are well chosen — each with a little something that makes a home in your heart and stays with you — and make for a brilliant, refreshing sampler of Rushdie's writing — witty, poignant, reflective, powerful.
If I had to pick one, I would go for "The Courter", a story taken from East, West , but I enjoyed the essays from Shame, Imaginary Homelands and Joseph Anton as well.
This is a good book for those starting out with Rushdie, and for those already familiar with his work and in need for bite-sized re-acquaintaince with it.
If I had to pick one, I would go for "The Courter", a story taken from East, West , but I enjoyed the essays from Shame, Imaginary Homelands and Joseph Anton as well.
This is a good book for those starting out with Rushdie, and for those already familiar with his work and in need for bite-sized re-acquaintaince with it.
December 30, 2018
Home contains excerpts from Shame, Imaginary Homelands, East, West and Joseph Anton, none of which I’ve ever read. In fact, I haven’t picked up any of Rushdie’s stuff before, but I’ve always wanted to and this was a pretty decent little introduction for me. Rushdie has a certain way with words that just makes his stuff super satisfying to read, whether you’re interested in the subject matter or not. I must read more.
April 15, 2024
I got this book in a sale without much background about it. Apparently, these Vintage Mini series contain world known writers' work on relevant topics. In this case, Salman Rushdie deals with the topic of "home".
I must say I enjoyed this short but sweet read. Rushdie, as an Indian in the UK knows well the idea of home, the dichotomy between East and West, what it's like not to feel 100% national of one place or another... This book extracts chapters from four of the most personal pieces Rushdie has written, the narration in first person gives the topic a more real and sensitive touch that otherwise couldn't have been reached.
What I take from this book is that I'd like to read more of Salman Rushdie's work, as well as more books from the Vintage Mini series to get to know the view of relevant authors in particularly "regular" topics, such as Desire (by Haruki Murakami), Sisters (by Louisa May Alcott), Summer (by Laurie Lee), etc.
I must say I enjoyed this short but sweet read. Rushdie, as an Indian in the UK knows well the idea of home, the dichotomy between East and West, what it's like not to feel 100% national of one place or another... This book extracts chapters from four of the most personal pieces Rushdie has written, the narration in first person gives the topic a more real and sensitive touch that otherwise couldn't have been reached.
What I take from this book is that I'd like to read more of Salman Rushdie's work, as well as more books from the Vintage Mini series to get to know the view of relevant authors in particularly "regular" topics, such as Desire (by Haruki Murakami), Sisters (by Louisa May Alcott), Summer (by Laurie Lee), etc.
May 29, 2020
#2 Asian Readathon 2020
i had had this on my shelf for months and hadn't picked it up yet but, as usual, i'm glad i finally did. i always have mixed feelings about these tiny books because, on one side, they let me sort of taste-test an author before committing for a full length book but, at the same type, they are over so soon sometimes i don't even have time to form an opinion on them. i did with this one though! i found rushdie's ideas on migration, identity and the politics entangled in these matters very interesting and i am definitely going to work my way through some of his backlist. i'm especially interested in his essay collection "imaginary homelands" and his novel "shame".
i had had this on my shelf for months and hadn't picked it up yet but, as usual, i'm glad i finally did. i always have mixed feelings about these tiny books because, on one side, they let me sort of taste-test an author before committing for a full length book but, at the same type, they are over so soon sometimes i don't even have time to form an opinion on them. i did with this one though! i found rushdie's ideas on migration, identity and the politics entangled in these matters very interesting and i am definitely going to work my way through some of his backlist. i'm especially interested in his essay collection "imaginary homelands" and his novel "shame".
January 28, 2022
It's always a delight to read Rushdie. For me, his writing is much more about how he writes than what he writes about. His amazingly interwoven, well-punctuated, and comfortably long sentences talk about a lot at once but are specific enough to make sense in the first go.
Albeit a short one, this book, as all his writing, was a piece of art. Though it is about the notion of home, it is from the perspective of lacking one and hence longing for it - which I didn't find too appealing.
Albeit a short one, this book, as all his writing, was a piece of art. Though it is about the notion of home, it is from the perspective of lacking one and hence longing for it - which I didn't find too appealing.
September 2, 2023
My first Vintage mini. And it won’t be my last…
A lovely collection of Rushdie’s writing, collected together from 4 places (3 non fiction, one fiction), all on the theme of ‘Home.’
The perfect author to write on the topic, this reminded me how much I have loved this author’s novels, but also now I want to read his non fiction. Beautifully evocative…. Just lovely!
A lovely collection of Rushdie’s writing, collected together from 4 places (3 non fiction, one fiction), all on the theme of ‘Home.’
The perfect author to write on the topic, this reminded me how much I have loved this author’s novels, but also now I want to read his non fiction. Beautifully evocative…. Just lovely!
October 8, 2023
For everyone who carries the heavy burden of not knowing where home is
October 18, 2025
This small book is a compilation of short passages, from books the author has written, which speak to the meaning of home and what it means to be living away from home and your culture. I enjoyed it. It was a good introduction to the writing style of Salman Rushdie.
September 6, 2020
Me and my brother have been trying to read Rushdie since we were kids. I seriously do not know why we tried to read him in our kidhood but we did. And of course, we both could never digest his books. We just could not. The language was tough, the flow of his writing was non-linear, he described almost EVERY aspect of everything mentioned in his book in DETAIL (I could not go beyond the chapter on the nose in The Midnight's Children) and obviously, it was too much for our kiddy brains to comprehend. So, we started looking for his sleek-est works thinking maybe we can understand those ones but wow, we underestimated this man! His thin books were more complex and we just could not gauge his thoughts! This tiny book made its way to my collection during the course of that idea and I got introduced to the 'worlds and words of Rushdie'.
All my pre-conceived bitterly held notions of Rushdie's writing came apart at the seams when I read this compilation of 4 excerpts from different works on the theme of Home. He writes about what Home means to him, how the change in landscapes and territories changed him and his views on his homeland, what it means to be an immigrant, how he could not accept his father's decision to move across the border, how he was treated as an outsider in his country and as an outsider in the UK, how he navigated the life of an expat and how he holds close his right to form opinions and comment on the occurrences of his nation even if he stays abroad. His writing is like a maze, he does not clearly state what he is trying to say, rather he will give you examples, take you back in the past, throw you in the future and then pull you back to the present. But, he makes this temporal ride, a hell of an enjoyable, exhilarating roller coaster.
This makes me want to pick up my Rushdie's books, the sleek and the thick ones and explore why the world loves him. To reading more of Rushdie in years to come.
All my pre-conceived bitterly held notions of Rushdie's writing came apart at the seams when I read this compilation of 4 excerpts from different works on the theme of Home. He writes about what Home means to him, how the change in landscapes and territories changed him and his views on his homeland, what it means to be an immigrant, how he could not accept his father's decision to move across the border, how he was treated as an outsider in his country and as an outsider in the UK, how he navigated the life of an expat and how he holds close his right to form opinions and comment on the occurrences of his nation even if he stays abroad. His writing is like a maze, he does not clearly state what he is trying to say, rather he will give you examples, take you back in the past, throw you in the future and then pull you back to the present. But, he makes this temporal ride, a hell of an enjoyable, exhilarating roller coaster.
This makes me want to pick up my Rushdie's books, the sleek and the thick ones and explore why the world loves him. To reading more of Rushdie in years to come.
May 29, 2020
“Home” es parte de la serie Vintage Minis, que reúne textos de diferentes autores que reflexionen en torno a un tema específico. En este caso, Rushdie nos habla acerca de la pertenencia y la identidad, basándose en su experiencia como inmigrante indio que ha vivido tanto en Reino Unido como en Pakistán. Es la primera vez que leo a este autor y he quedado muy satisfecho con el resultado.
Las reflexiones del autor son bastante interesantes y visibilizan y cuestionan muchos conceptos que tenemos, tales como el de raíces y patria. No es un texto académico, sino, simplemente, una recopilación de diferentes escritos en lo que se reflexiona en torno a estos temas. Si no me equivoco, los dos primeros son textos autobiográficos, mientras que el último es un extracto de una novela (autobiográfica también).
Creo que para los que tenemos ganas de ahondar en los temas que nos hacen humanos, la colección Vintage Minis es una excelente opción. Además, para los que disfrutamos de la buena literatura, Rushdie es un autor al que debemos prestarle mucha atención.
Las reflexiones del autor son bastante interesantes y visibilizan y cuestionan muchos conceptos que tenemos, tales como el de raíces y patria. No es un texto académico, sino, simplemente, una recopilación de diferentes escritos en lo que se reflexiona en torno a estos temas. Si no me equivoco, los dos primeros son textos autobiográficos, mientras que el último es un extracto de una novela (autobiográfica también).
Creo que para los que tenemos ganas de ahondar en los temas que nos hacen humanos, la colección Vintage Minis es una excelente opción. Además, para los que disfrutamos de la buena literatura, Rushdie es un autor al que debemos prestarle mucha atención.
March 24, 2021
This collection of excerpts/chapters from three of Rushdie's books focuses on the immigrant and expat experience. Rushdie writes with eloquence and humor about living as an outsider and longing for community. In an excerpt from the novel "Shame" he writes, "I am an emigrant from one country (India) and a newcomer in two... We have performed the act of which all men have anciently dreamed, the thing for which they envy the birds; that is to say, we have flown."
The paradox of longing for a place you've never truly known and loving -- and living -- in a land that doesn't really belong to you is the thread that weaves this collection together.
I will read this book again one day. It's a small book packed with beautifully crafted stories and essays that tenderly and realistically share the immigrant experience.
The paradox of longing for a place you've never truly known and loving -- and living -- in a land that doesn't really belong to you is the thread that weaves this collection together.
I will read this book again one day. It's a small book packed with beautifully crafted stories and essays that tenderly and realistically share the immigrant experience.
September 11, 2022
I have had 0 motivation to read whilst finishing off my degree and kept coming back to this little mini,
Restarting again and again because I hate to try and finish a book I haven’t picked up in a long time- must restart! Finally finished it the other day after a plane journey cursing myself for the lack of motivation I’d had this year. Definitely inspired me to get back into my reading, and 100% include Rushdie’s works in this.
Beautiful little stories that have given me an insight into his upbringing and how he sees this world.
Restarting again and again because I hate to try and finish a book I haven’t picked up in a long time- must restart! Finally finished it the other day after a plane journey cursing myself for the lack of motivation I’d had this year. Definitely inspired me to get back into my reading, and 100% include Rushdie’s works in this.
Beautiful little stories that have given me an insight into his upbringing and how he sees this world.
April 15, 2018
I have never read Salman Rushdie before, and if this book accomplished anything, it is that it made me want to pick up his books and read them. This book is a collection of excerpts from 3 or 4 different books and it really made me want to learn more about him and his life.
I found his stories very interesting, albeit short, and gripping. His writing style is very simple, to the point, and he really talks to you. He tells you a story, and he tells it well, rather than drag it unnecessarily. Definitely a keeper, and I look forward to reading more.
I found his stories very interesting, albeit short, and gripping. His writing style is very simple, to the point, and he really talks to you. He tells you a story, and he tells it well, rather than drag it unnecessarily. Definitely a keeper, and I look forward to reading more.
April 8, 2018
Not great. Interesting but I just wasn’t gripped. I think the book is a collection, a brief excerpt of a few of his works. He touches on Midnight’s Children, which I’ve read... and talked about his own history and experiences coming to the UK, which were of course interesting, and he’s a good writer, but I just didn’t really see the point of the book particularly.
February 25, 2019
A pleasant selection of autobiographical pieces on the theme of home. I think this series is a great idea- short, selected thoughts of established writers, thematically categorised. Next for me is is 'Death', although being curated from Julian Barnes, I'm sure there will be more than I bargain for.
January 23, 2025
I had trouble getting into it at first. Is it because English is not my first language?! But then his stories really resonated with me. I didn't know the author but I'm probably going to read more of his work! I recommend it to anyone wondering where home is and feeling like once you've left "home" you'll always be torn between two places you wanna call "home".
November 5, 2017
Interesting book. The first couple of stories really resonated with me. Whilst I thought that the last story was nice, I'm not sure it was that in line with the theme. Overall, a good read, and I think I'll probably pick up something else by Rushdie soon.
January 4, 2018
I liked that this was a mix of fiction and nonfiction. At first, the style was not that easy to get into, but once I got used to it I really enjoyed it and am now looking forward to reading another book by Rushdie that I already own!
September 2, 2018
This book is part of the "Vintage Minis", consisting of excerpts from writings of Salman Rushdie - Joseph Anton, Shame, Imaginary Homelands and East, West.
Enjoyed reading essay from "Imaginary Homelands".
Enjoyed reading essay from "Imaginary Homelands".
October 26, 2018
Literature enthusiasts can’t but be fans of Salman Rushdie. It’s been ages after I had read Rushdie, the one and only one being the midnights children. Should read more of him..
February 24, 2019
Really nice and enlightening passages from his work. A delicate short reading.
September 28, 2020
The last story is really excellent
October 31, 2022
Found it in a bookstore and decided I could use it to gauge whether I like Rushdie's writing style before I commit to reading one of his huge tomes. Verdict: yes, more, please.
December 14, 2022
Want to read Midnight's Children now....
December 27, 2022
Read midnight children
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews