Books

London, Viking Press, 1988 8vo. Quarter goatskin over navy buckram cloth, ruled in gilt and with gilt lettering to spine and publisher's textured end papers; in the original plain paper publisher's dust wrapper; pp. [xii], 3-546,[iv]; issued with typed paper label to spine; dustwrapper toned, with some larger chips to spine ends, but seldom found at all, and has done an expert job of preserving the boards beneath; fine, internally. Limited First edition numbered 24 of just 100 copies and signed by the author . Published simultaneously with the first trade edition. The Satanic Verses was Rushdie's fourth novel, and caused huge controversy when it was initially released due to its depiction of the prophet Muhammad. The title refers to the satanic verses, a group of Quranic verses that refer to three Pagan Meccan goddesses: Allāt, Uzza, and Manāt. The novel employs elements of magic realism interspersed with a sequence of subplots that take the form of intricate dream…

The Satanic Verses is Salman Rushdie's fourth novel, first published in 1988 and inspired in part by the life of Muhammad. It was met with significant controversy due to its portrayal of Islamic themes which led Rushdie to face death threats and a fatwa calling for his assassination.