Salman Rushdie's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Salman Rushdie.

Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie is an Indian-born British and American novelist known for blending magic realism with historical fiction. His work explores the connections and disruptions between Eastern and Western civilizations, often focusing on the Indian subcontinent. His second novel, Midnight's Children, won the Booker Prize in 1981 and was later recognized as the "best novel of all winners" during the prize's 25th and 40th anniversary celebrations, solidifying his place as a significant literary figure.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1945: Ranked among greatest British writers since 1945

In 2008, The Times ranked Salman Rushdie 13th on its list of the 50 greatest British writers since 1945.

1981: Publication of Midnight's Children

In 1981, Rushdie published his novel, Midnight's Children, which gained him recognition. It follows the life of Saleem Sinai, born at the stroke of midnight as India gained its independence.

Midnight's Children: A Novel (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

Check it on Amazon

1981: Booker Prize for Midnight's Children

In 1981, Salman Rushdie's second novel, Midnight's Children, won the Booker Prize. The novel was later deemed "the best novel of all winners" on two occasions, for the 25th and 40th anniversary of the prize.

Midnight's Children: A Novel (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

Check it on Amazon

1981: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize and Awarded the Prize

In 1981, Salman Rushdie's work, Midnight's Children, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and won the prize.

Midnight's Children: A Novel (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

Check it on Amazon

1981: Midnight's Children wins Booker Prize

Midnight's Children won the 1981 Booker Prize.

Midnight's Children: A Novel (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

Check it on Amazon

1983: Publication of Shame

In 1983, Rushdie published Shame, depicting political turmoil in Pakistan, basing his characters on Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Shame won France's Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger (Best Foreign Book) and was a close runner-up for the Booker Prize.

Shame

Check it on Amazon

1983: Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature

In 1983, Rushdie was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

1983: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Shame

In 1983, Salman Rushdie's work, Shame, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

Shame

Check it on Amazon

1988: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize for The Satanic Verses

In 1988, Salman Rushdie's work, The Satanic Verses, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

The Satanic Verses: A Novel

Check it on Amazon

August 1993: Public Appearance at Wembley Stadium

On August 11, 1993, despite the fatwa against him, Salman Rushdie made a public appearance at London's Wembley Stadium during a U2 concert. This event occurred amidst violence sparked by the publication of his book and the fatwa, with bookstores firebombed and attacks on those associated with the book.

1993: Best of the Bookers prize for Midnight's Children

In 1993, Midnight's Children won the Best of the Bookers special prize.

Midnight's Children: A Novel (Modern Library 100 Best Novels)

Check it on Amazon

1995: Publication of The Moor's Last Sigh

In 1995, Rushdie's novel The Moor's Last Sigh, a family saga spanning some 100 years of India's history, was published and won the Whitbread Award.

The Moor's Last Sigh: Costa Novel Award

Check it on Amazon

1995: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize for The Moor's Last Sigh

In 1995, Salman Rushdie's work, The Moor's Last Sigh, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.

The Moor's Last Sigh: Costa Novel Award

Check it on Amazon

1999: Appointed Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France

In 1999, Rushdie was appointed a Commandeur de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France.

2005: Received Hutch Crossword Book Award for Shalimar the Clown

In 2005, Salman Rushdie's novel Shalimar the Clown received the Hutch Crossword Book Award and was a finalist for the Whitbread Book Awards in the UK.

Shalimar the Clown

Check it on Amazon

June 2007: Knighthood Awarded

On June 16, 2007, Salman Rushdie was knighted for services to literature in the Queen's Birthday Honours. This honor was met with protests from many Muslim-majority nations and sparked controversy.