Saleem Sinai was born at midnight the midnight of India's independence & found himself mysteriously 'handcuffed to history' by the coincidence. He is one of 1 001 children born at the midnight hour each of them endowed with an extraordinary talent
- & whose privilege & curse it is to be both master & victims of their times. Through Saleem's gifts
- inner ear & wildly sensitive sense of smell
- we are drawn into a fascinating family saga set against the vast colourful background of the India of the 20th century.