Salman Rushdie - The Satanic Verses - First UK Edition/First Printing

A first edition, first printing of The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, published by Viking, London in 1988. A near fine copy free from internal inscriptions, with clean and clear text block. In a Very Good unclipped wrapper with a partially faded spine, very minor scuffing to the spine crown, and slight rubbing to the top corners of the jacket.

The Satanic Verses is a major novel in Rushdie’s career, and is one of the most consequential novels of the late twentieth century, combining Rushdie’s trademark magical realism with an ambitious exploration of faith, identity, migration, and belief. Its publication in Britain in 1988 triggered an unprecedented international controversy, now widely referred to as the “Rushdie Affair”. This placed the novel at the centre of global debates on freedom of expression, censorship, and religious tolerance. Despite the turmoil surrounding its release, the book was immediately recognised for its literary ambition and originality, with contemporary critics praising its inventive structure, satirical force, and deep engagement with literary tradition. The novel’s cultural and historical significance has only intensified over time, remaining a defining work in discussions of art, belief, and the risks inherent in literary expression.