The Infamous Author

Indian-British author Salman Rushdie is probably one of the most renowned fiction writers alive and working. This isn’t necessarily as a result of his books — although Shame, Shalimar the Clown, and the Booker Prize-winning Midnight’s Children are certainly worth shouting about. Despite Rushdie’s popularization of magical realism and his undeniable influence as a postcolonial author, he’s far more famous for the effects of his words than the words themselves. Thanks to the infamous response to his 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, his name remains synonymous with fatwa. For nearly a decade, Rushdie kept a low profile. But — despite the fact that the death threat is still officially valid — it seems enough time has passed. Now that most Muslim extremists have much more to be angry about than the long-past publishings of an otherwise innocuous author (thanks, Dubya), Rushdie has returned with acclaim to the book promotion circuit. And Miamians are lucky to have him.

At 7 p.m., Rushdie will read from his latest, The Enchantress of Florence, a heady novel that’s described as irreverent, bawdy, and profoundly moving. Hmmm. Tickets are required, and to get them you must buy a $26 copy of The Enchantress at Books & Books. Rushdie will be available to sign copies of it and his previous books (as long as they were purchased at Books & Books). No other memorabilia is allowed, and you can take a photo in passing, but not posed. Whew. If the rules aren’t enough to deflate your undying literary passion, stop by Temple Judea at 6 p.m., when doors open. The event begins at 7:30. Visit www.booksandbooks.com for more details.
Tue., July 8, 6 p.m., 2008