Literary · Historical
Midnight's Children
A man born at the exact moment of India's independence discovers that he and other children born that hour have magical gifts. His personal story is tied closely to the history of the new nation.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1981
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 674
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want an exuberant, digressive novel where magic and history are mixed in one voice.
Skip this if you prefer plain narration and a straight chronological line.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Midnight's Children
- What is Midnight's Children about?
- A man born at the exact moment of India's independence discovers that he and other children born that hour have magical gifts. His personal story is tied closely to the history of the new nation.
- Who should read Midnight's Children?
- Read it if you want an exuberant, digressive novel where magic and history are mixed in one voice. Skip it if you prefer plain narration and a straight chronological line.
- How long and how fast is Midnight's Children?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 674 pages, first published in 1981.
- Does Midnight's Children have content warnings?
- Content we flag: War, Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow Midnight's Children for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Midnight's Children; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Midnight's Children?
- Readers who liked it often move on to One Hundred Years of Solitude, The God of Small Things, Pachinko.
Your shelf
Saved in this browser only. Open my shelf
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
Prices appear here as retailer feeds are connected. Where none is shown, check the store. Links open the store in a new tab.
Some store links, including Kobo, are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Library links are never affiliate links. How this works
Share this pick
Because you might love it
If you loved Midnight's Children
-
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The classic of magical realist family history that this novel is often compared with.
-
The God of Small Things Another Indian novel with inventive language, though it is more intimate and much sadder.
-
Pachinko Also ties one family's history to a nation's, in a more conventional and sober style.
Literary
