THE SATANIC VERSES [Signed]

London: Viking, 1988. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover. Octavo, 547 pages. In Very Good minus condition with a Very Good dust jacket. Spine blue with gold and red lettering. Dust jacket protected with a mylar covering, price uncut: "£12.95." Mild rubbing to edges of dust jacket, primarily at corners and at head and tail of spine. General shelf wear to book spine and boards, with mild bumping to top corners. Foxing to edges of textblock. Age toning throughout textblock. Signed flat by Rushdie on title page. DL Consignment. Shelved in Room C. Inspired by the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammed, "The Satanic Verses" incited a great deal of backlash upon release due to its perceived blasphemy. Then Supreme Leader of Iran Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against Rushdie and the publishers, leading to a number of bombings, killings, attempted killings, and riots. The British government provided round-the-clock protection for Rushdie, and though Rushdie eventually came out of hiding, the fatwa remains in place. Rushdie was attacked on August 12, 2022, losing sight in his right eye and the use of one hand.


Winner of the 1988 Whitbread Award for novel of the year and 1988 Booker Prize finalist. 1393057. Special Collections. (Inventory #: 1393057)