Victory City: A Novel Audiobook

Victory City is the fifteenth novel by Salman Rushdie, published in February 2023. The book is told in the form of a fictional translation of an epic originally written in Sanskrit. The protagonist and narrator is Pampa Kampana, a princess-poetess who lived to be 247 years old.

The book begins with the story of Pampa Kampana as a child. She was born into a royal family in southern India, and she soon showed her poetic talent. As a young girl, she wrote a poem praising her king, and the poem was well-received.

Pampa Kampana grew up to be a beautiful and talented woman. She was pursued by many men, but she only loved one man, a poet named Rama. Rama was an intelligent and sensitive man, and he shared Pampa Kampana’s love of poetry.

Pampa Kampana and Rama married, and they lived happily together for many years. They had a son named Vikrama, who was also a talented poet.

However, Pampa Kampana’s life was not all happiness. She also faced challenges and suffering. She witnessed the deaths of her parents, husband, and son. She also faced the brutality of rulers.

Despite the hardships she faced, Pampa Kampana remained optimistic and loving. She continued to write poetry, and her poetry inspired many people.

In the end, Pampa Kampana died at the age of 247. She was buried in a temple, and her poetry is still revered and loved by people today.

Major themes of the book include:

• Love: The love between Pampa Kampana and Rama is a major theme of the book. Their love is a true love that transcends time and challenges.
• Loss: Pampa Kampana faced the loss of many loved ones, including her parents, husband, and son. This loss was a great pain for her, but it also helped her to grow and become stronger.
• The power of poetry: Poetry is a source of strength and comfort for Pampa Kampana. It helps her to overcome the challenges and hardships of life.

Victory City is an emotionally rich and profound novel. The book explores the eternal themes of love, loss, and the power of art.