Salman Rushdie is a world famous writer. He has written several fictions, non-fictions, screen play and anthology. The present
book has three parts entitled East, West, East and West, which have three stories each. Out of these nine stories, six had been published previously in some different form. In the first part, the story “Good advice is rarer than rubies” starts with Miss Rehana, besides several other persons arriving at the British
consulate for obtaining permit to London. Advice expert Muhammed Ali meets her and offers advice at small cost. But being poor, Rehana can’t pay him, so he offers free advice. He finds his filled application form in order. But he tells her that permit won’t be given so easily, since the authorities think that many people tell lies. He tells her about the hawkish and detailed questions to be answered, and that failure in even one, will finish the matter. Then using sweet, persuasive and powerful words, Ali says that he knows a man in the consulate, who could get it done for a fee. He tells her about the availability of a genuine British Passport, which can be used by substituting her name and photo. Rehana says that it is a crime, and she does not agree. Ali tells her that she is a fool, but it does not matter to Rehana. She goes to the consulate office and later comes out and greets Ali, who thinks that she has got clearance. Then she narrates about her childhood engagement to Mustafa Dar, who is 21 years older than her. Dar had gone to England and wanted to send for her. But it appears that she does not want to go there, so she gave wrong answers to all questions of consulate. The request was thus turned down. She says that she will go back to Lahore for her job as ayah for three good boys. She gave a happy smile while leaving Ali. In the second part, the story “Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella of Spain consummate their
relationship” describes about the dreams of Christopher Columbus consummating his relationship with Queen Isabella. Columbus is a foreigner, but he is continuously following the Queen, without losing hope, in spite of in bent knee postures. When asked what he wanted, he said consummation. At Isabella’s court, he is considered a crazy person. They drink. Queen plays and toys with Columbus, and then sends him to the stables for forty days. But Columbus hopes for the various possibilities. She is all-conquering Queen. Columbus does not want this type of dirty work. He rides away from Isabella. Then he sees a dream wherein Isabella stares into a large stone bowl. She remembers Columbus, and sees that the need for each other is equal. She gives orders to find Columbus, but he can’t be found. Earlier she had reduced his hopes to zero, but now she has herself gone low. Queen's heralds surround him, give him many things and tell that the Queen has summoned him. No almost comes out of his mouth, but he says yes. These short stories show the extra ordinary talent of the writer. These cross-cultural stories are definitely powerful and entertaining, in which the words have been woven magically, to the delight of the readers