Rushdie didn't let me down with this novel, though once more the book commanded my full attention. The way he crafts his sentences, the way he takes deliberate sidetracks during his storytelling like a rambling comedian, all combine to demand total concentration at all times. Try reading this book with your kids around and you'll have no idea what is going on! But how lucky I was to have the time to read this glorious story. Above all, he created the delightful Qara Koz, a woman who even now that I've finished, I find myself pining after. This story has it all, and once more, Rushdie shows his mastery of the craft. The Enchantress of Florence is one of the greatest, most rewarding novels I have ever read. I'm so glad I read more Rushdie after the disappointment of The Satanic Verses.

There was never any doubt in Rushdie's ability to weave magic and realism together, an art descended from the likes of Garcia Marquez and churned to fit into the Mughal Indian period. Similarities aside, The Enchantress of Florence is delicious in its language, a host of characters dancing to Rushdie's tune, but never really managing to make you empathise with their terrible ambitions.

Wonderful, sprawling fairy tale - bawdy and beautiful . . . Rushdie effortlessy moves through time and across continents with his usal finely-tuned eye for luxurious imagery.

Not a high recommendation here. The first part is fantastic - I loved it. But after the first 100 pages, the life got sucked out of the book! For my complete review: http://mookse.wordpress.com/2008/08/0...