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Victory City

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Victory City

By: Salman Rushdie
Narrated by: Sid Sagar
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

She will breathe a new empire into life – but all worlds can escape their creator…

In the wake of an unimportant battle between two long-forgotten kingdoms, a nine-year-old girl has a divine encounter that will change the course of history. Pampa Kampana becomes a vessel for a goddess, who tells her that she will be instrumental in the rise of a great city called Bisnaga, ‘victory city’.

Over the next two hundred and fifty years, Pampa Kampana’s life becomes deeply interwoven with Bisnaga’s as she attempts to make good on the task that the goddess set for her: to give women equal agency in a patriarchal world. But all stories have a way of getting away from their creator, and Bisnaga is no exception.

‘Full of adventure… A celebration of the power of storytelling’ GUARDIAN

‘Mesmerising’ ELIF SHAFAK, author of The Island of Missing Trees

‘A total pleasure to read’ SUNDAY TIMES

‘One of the planet’s greatest writers’ EVENING STANDARD

‘A triumph… Enthralling’ I

©2023 Salman Rushdie (P)2023 Penguin Audio Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Magic Magical Realism World Literature Tear-jerking Royalty
All stars
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Thought provoking other worldly and fabulous as only Salmon Rushdie’s books can be. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Salmon Rushdie’s wonderful story telling mixing fable truth and imagination

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The story doesn’t have the momentum or character but in his other works imho oh well

Well performed but not an engaging story

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Rushdie’s books are always difficult to get through, but very much worth the effort. This one was true to form, his usual blend of fantasy, absurdity and strong themes. Part fable, part commentary on the patriarchy, it focussed on the story of a girl possessed by a goddess and the creation of a city from magic beans. Like I said, absurdity is key here.

The only thing that disappointed me was the lack of strong characters; when a story covers 400 years, it’s difficult to get to know the characters well.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was an absolute delight. As was the protagonist’s name - Pampa Kampanar. Say that out loud and tell me it’s not fun to say.

Four bags of seed out of five.

Wonderful narration.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.