Shame by Salman Rushdie

“Shame” is a novel written by Salman Rushdie, published in 1983. The book is a political satire set in Pakistan, which explores the themes of power, corruption, and shame.

The story is narrated by a man named Omar Khayyam Shakil, who is born as a result of an illicit affair between two powerful politicians. He grows up to become a man of great power and influence, but is plagued by a sense of shame and guilt, due to the circumstances of his birth.

The novel also features two other main characters, Raza Hyder and Sufiya Zinobia, who are both important players in the political landscape of Pakistan. Raza is a military dictator who rises to power through a coup, while Sufiya is a woman who has been victimized and marginalized by society due to her gender.

As the story progresses, these characters become intertwined in a complex web of power struggles, secrets, and betrayal. Through their experiences, Rushdie examines the ways in which shame can be used as a tool of oppression, and how it can be used to manipulate and control people.

Overall, “Shame” is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that explores the complex dynamics of power, shame, and identity in a political context.