Salman Rushdie combines magic realism with a fierce rivalry to illustrate his central theme - that shame begets violence and violence begets shame.

Shame is set in an imaginary country that strongly resembles Pakistan - a vast, sprawling canvas that illuminates its history, language and politics. The story involves the rivalry between two very different men - one a celebrated warrior, the other a debauched playboy - who are engaged in a protracted duel that is played out in the political landscape of their country.

Shortlisted
The Booker Prize 1983
Published by
Jonathan Cape
Publication date
Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie

About the Author

Salman Rushdie has been nominated for the Booker Prize seven times, winning in 1981, and was knighted for services to literature in 2007.
More about Salman Rushdie

Other nominated books by Salman Rushdie

Quichotte
The Enchantress of Florence
Shalimar the Clown
The Moor's Last Sigh
The Satanic Verses
Midnight's Children
Prize winner