The Satanic Verses

"The Satanic Verses" is a controversial novel by Salman Rushdie, published in 1988. It explores themes of religious faith, identity, and freedom of expression through two main characters who experience a miraculous transformation after surviving a terrorist attack. The title refers to an incident in early Islamic history where it was believed that the Prophet Muhammad temporarily acknowledged verses that favored pagan deities, which were later retracted. The book sparked widespread protests and led to a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death, raising important discussions about blasphemy, artistic expression, and the intersection of religion and modern society.