This book made me feel intellectually nourished. Some fluffy page-turners, while enjoyable at the time, leave me feeling sluggish and remorseful. But this book was just so *dense*, and full of literary and mythological allusions. It was challenging but oh so rewarding to read. I'm doubly delighted because I failed to finish The Satanic Verses, and was a little bit fearful that I was just too much of a simpleton to be able to enjoy a Rushdie novel. Loving The Golden House has given me the courage to tackle Midnight's Children, once I can get my hands on my sister's copy.