Die Rückkehr der Rentiere

The blending of the fantastical with harsh realities is striking. I'm curious whether this was inspired by real events or a stylistic choice to deepen the satire.

The novel makes shame feel almost like a character itself—powerful and unpredictable. How did others interpret its role in shaping the characters' lives?

The backdrop feels richly rooted in a particular time and place in India, but I wonder what specific events or periods influenced Rushdie's choices.