Tough-O-Meter

We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)

(9-10) Mount Everest

We don't want to scare you—we just thought you should know what you're getting into. Over 500 pages of text. 70 years of history and politics. Extensive references to Indian culture. A nontraditional writing style that treats time like a yo-yo, going back and forth without warning. Those are all the dangers lurking inside the covers of Midnight's Children.

Now we have one more thing to say, and it's that the ride is totally worth it. Sure, your brain will feel like it's just done P90X, but where else are you going to go on such a wild ride?