Victory City

Victory City

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  • Create Date:2023-03-28 06:52:12
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Salman Rushdie
  • ISBN:1787333450
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Buzz and commuity support: Hot on the heels of last year's attack on this persecuted author, this symbolic publication represents the triumph of literature and storytelling over censorship。

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Reviews

Ana Cretu

What an epic story! I loved it。 The rise and fall of an empire witnessed and written by a magical storyteller, a proper demi-goddess。 The story is filled with Hindu mythology and symbolism。 I will now need to do my research and read about the historical facts and the Vijayanagara Empire。 I think this quote is quite representative for the story。 Pampa Kampana to Niccolo de Vieri:“It’s good to learn that ‘over there’ is not so very unlike ‘over here’, and that human intelligence and human stupidit What an epic story! I loved it。 The rise and fall of an empire witnessed and written by a magical storyteller, a proper demi-goddess。 The story is filled with Hindu mythology and symbolism。 I will now need to do my research and read about the historical facts and the Vijayanagara Empire。 I think this quote is quite representative for the story。 Pampa Kampana to Niccolo de Vieri:“It’s good to learn that ‘over there’ is not so very unlike ‘over here’, and that human intelligence and human stupidity, as well as human nature, the best and worst of it, are the great constants in the changing world”。Brilliant story and masterful storytelling, in the well known humorous style of Rushdie。 I thoroughly enjoyed it! 。。。more

Gail

Very imaginative and, of course, gorgeously written。 It lagged a little bit in the middle, though。

Tbuikema

This was the first book by Rushdie that I’ve read。 What a story teller! I’ll definitely come back to him for a future fiction fix。

WR

One must of course suspend logical judgement to enjoy magical realism, but I always enjoy the beautiful writing by Salman Rushdie。

Lachlan

A strong showing for Rushdie so late into his career。 I found myself drifting in the second half, but appreciated the magic/mystical/mythical grounding of the novel, and enjoyed his lyrical prose。 Feeling 3。5 stars on this one - ultimately it can't compete with The Moors Last Sigh。 A strong showing for Rushdie so late into his career。 I found myself drifting in the second half, but appreciated the magic/mystical/mythical grounding of the novel, and enjoyed his lyrical prose。 Feeling 3。5 stars on this one - ultimately it can't compete with The Moors Last Sigh。 。。。more

Aarohak

DNF。 We as readers can do better。I can’t recall but I might have read Rushdie’s Midnight Children years ago; and since I can’t recall it I can only assume it is not have any notable impact on me。 I just thought of giving Victory City a chance, considering that the plot was closer to my hometown, closer to some of the stories we have heard growing up and because I don’t know Rushdie。 Hakka Raya (Harihara I) and Bukka Raya’s names are familiar in Karnataka; as the founder and emperors of Vijayanag DNF。 We as readers can do better。I can’t recall but I might have read Rushdie’s Midnight Children years ago; and since I can’t recall it I can only assume it is not have any notable impact on me。 I just thought of giving Victory City a chance, considering that the plot was closer to my hometown, closer to some of the stories we have heard growing up and because I don’t know Rushdie。 Hakka Raya (Harihara I) and Bukka Raya’s names are familiar in Karnataka; as the founder and emperors of Vijayanagara Empire。 (Capital city being today’s Hampi, Karnataka, India)Vijaya - Victory; Nagara - City; hence the novel’s title。 Not very creative but I will give him credit。In the first few chapters I read, it introduced Vidyaranya, Pampa River, Hakka and his 4 brothers - Bukka, Chukka, Pukka and Dev; the Portuguese traveler and chronicler Fernao Nunes, and the mythical protagonist Pampa Kampana (loosely based on Ganga Devi)。I love historical & mythological fiction。 I have always wondered why we have so many Greek mythological novels and not as many Indian mythology novels。 Indian history and mythology is so rich, you can pick any character and develop a whole novel on it。 Which means, I am all for mixing history, mythology and fantasy if it results in a good fictional universe。 But I also respect boundaries。 You can tweak a character, add colour to it, distort it to your liking; as long as the basic essence of the character is maintained。 If you are basing your novel on history, then you have to maintain it’s real framework/skeleton while taking liberty in adding fictional flavours。What threw me off was not how he depicted pretty much all characters as dumb (except for Kampana); but how Rushdie distorted the character Vidyaranya, who helped establish the empire and served as the mentor and guide for nearly three generations of the kings。 Saint Vidyaranya also known as Mādhavācharya later became the Jagadguru of Sringeri Sharada Peetham。 The large matha that will come to be as Rushdie refers to in the book, and one which still stands。I am not a religious fanatic, I am a non conformist; but even so; to read about Vidyaranya as a rapist in Rushdie’s novel; just saddens me, it’s not acceptable。 For anyone who can’t understand the weight behind it, let’s say, Mādhavācharya is similar to Jesus when it comes to the faith of his believers。There is artistic freedom of course, but not like this。 Being brash and disrespectful is just like advertising one’s own naivety and irresponsibility。 I haven’t read his other works, but if this is his style of writing, then I am not surprised he has an angry mob of people making attempts on his life。 I am a fan of Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, Madeline Miller (Song of Achilles, Circe), Sue Monk Kidd (The Book of Longings) and I have a whole list of historical fiction authors from Ken Follett to Clavell to Kristin Hannah to Kate Quinn that I follow; so I am not new to this genre。I am just sad to see that Rushdie is a celebrated author in today’s world。 Why? If his latest work is anything to go by, his writing style is basic, his story telling abilities aren’t out of the ordinary and he clearly doesn’t know the difference between Historical fiction and Hollywood fantasy。All I can say is: We as readers can do better。 。。。more

Teresa Hildebrandt

I am convinced that this work was largely crafted using AI。 I would also like to point out the numerous misspellings and grammatical errors。 Very distracting。 No character to care for in this story, rather just an bore。

Dmitry

To me, Rushdie is to literature what Gaudi is to architecture。 You're looking at his creations, and you see an amalgamations of styles, a phantasmagory of colors, a multitude of references, of which you only recognize some, others hover at the verge of consciousness, and you realize that the majority pass through your eyes entirely unrecognized and unrecognizable - yet you can't take your eyes off it。 So is this book, too。 Take "one hundred years of solitude", multiply it by 2。5 along the tempor To me, Rushdie is to literature what Gaudi is to architecture。 You're looking at his creations, and you see an amalgamations of styles, a phantasmagory of colors, a multitude of references, of which you only recognize some, others hover at the verge of consciousness, and you realize that the majority pass through your eyes entirely unrecognized and unrecognizable - yet you can't take your eyes off it。 So is this book, too。 Take "one hundred years of solitude", multiply it by 2。5 along the temporal axis, place it into the setting of one thousand and one night, fill with cultural, religious, historical, linguistic references, top up with a story that catches at you from the first page and doesn't let go till the last one, mix in a bit of foreboding and some contemporary social critic - and there you go, an instant bestseller。 It's been a while since my last Rushdie, and it was a real homecoming。 。。。more

GONZA

I have always liked Rushdie, but I admit I prefer him in "modern" contexts。 This time, however, he has returned to that India he likes, the one of temples, adventures, full of magic and gods。 So, a novel far from my usual taste, that nonetheless is easy to read。 A character like Pampa Kampana is not easily forgotten, especially if told with Rushdie's irony that allows us to read in the words of a mythical past kingdom, the current situation of a sad present world。 Mi é sempre piaciuto Rushdie, m I have always liked Rushdie, but I admit I prefer him in "modern" contexts。 This time, however, he has returned to that India he likes, the one of temples, adventures, full of magic and gods。 So, a novel far from my usual taste, that nonetheless is easy to read。 A character like Pampa Kampana is not easily forgotten, especially if told with Rushdie's irony that allows us to read in the words of a mythical past kingdom, the current situation of a sad present world。 Mi é sempre piaciuto Rushdie, ma ammetto di preferirlo in contesti "moderni"。 Stavolta peró é tornato a quell'India che gli piace, quella dei templi, delle avventure, pieno di magia e di dei。 Quindi un romanzo lontano dalle mie corde che peró si fa leggere tranquillamente anche perché un personaggio come Pampa Kampana non si dimentica facilmente, specialmente se raccontato con l'ironia di Rushdie che ci permette di leggere nelle parole di un mitico regno passato, l'attuale situazione di un triste mondo attuale。 。。。more

Renee Butler

3。5 it’s good but rambling。 I feel like the author had a strong idea for a story then rushed through after setting the stage。 I always love Rushdie, but this one was “less” than earlier works for me

Bookreporter。com Historical Fiction

“Words are the only victors。” Meaningful words indeed, from Salman Rushdie, whose words have inspired more animosity and violence towards him than any other modern writer。 Seven months after being attacked and grievously wounded by a knife-wielding fanatic, he proves it with the release of this rollicking, enchanting novel。It begins with the remarkable Pampa Kampana, a nine-year-old girl whose long-widowed mother abandons her to join a funeral pyre for the widows of recently killed warriors。 Hor “Words are the only victors。” Meaningful words indeed, from Salman Rushdie, whose words have inspired more animosity and violence towards him than any other modern writer。 Seven months after being attacked and grievously wounded by a knife-wielding fanatic, he proves it with the release of this rollicking, enchanting novel。It begins with the remarkable Pampa Kampana, a nine-year-old girl whose long-widowed mother abandons her to join a funeral pyre for the widows of recently killed warriors。 Horrified and desolate, Pampa is visited by a goddess who grants her extraordinary powers, and she vows to use them to ensure that no woman ever again follows her mother’s footsteps。In the meantime, Pampa is an orphaned girl in a patriarchy, who ends up in the care of an ascetic, cave-dwelling monk as she grows into a beautiful but strange young woman。 Her reputation draws two itinerant goatherds and former soldiers, brothers named Hukka and Bukka, to pay her a visit with a gift of seeds。 Pampa instructs them to plant the seeds, which will become a glorious kingdom。 Their skepticism lasts until the next day, when a city emerges, complete with walls, a temple, grand buildings and humans in whose ears Pampa whispers memories, family ties and professions。 But in this new city, women as well as men are blacksmiths and warriors, teachers and magistrates。Pampa is aware that she will live for 247 years。 Over the centuries she sees her creation thrive and wither, bloom and fade。 She first marries Hukka, the elder brother, although she reserves the right to keep her lover, a red-haired Portuguese horse trader named Domingo Nunes。 The three daughters she bears during Hukka’s reign are red-haired, independent and strong。 When Hukka dies, she marries Bukka (for love) and has three sons by him, but they are impetuous and spoiled。 Domingo has died by then, and Pampa has long since realized the disadvantages of never growing old: “It’s hard for me to love anyone with my whole heart, because I know that they are going to die。”Thus begins the kingdom of Bisnaga, and Pampa’s long and varied life。 Rushdie’s tale is entertaining, funny and caustic, with ample room for wit and pointed political commentary: “There are sad sacks and lonelyhearts made sadder-sackier and lonely-heartier by all the portraits of other people’s joy。” The liberal society that Pampa whispers into being, with its religious and sexual freedom and support for the arts, is overthrown by prudish schemers who whip up a backlash against the queen when she elevates her daughters as heirs to the throne and sends her sons away。 Pampa must eventually flee。As the fortunes and rulers of Bisnaga rise and fall, one is reminded that the thirst for more power will always lead to a downfall --- as true in the 15th century as it is today。 “I learned that the communities men build are based on the oppression of the many by the few, and I did not understand, I still do not understand, why the many accept this oppression,” says Pampa’s great-great-great-great-granddaughter, Zerelda Li, when she awakens Pampa from a long, thorn-encircled sleep in the enchanted forest that has sheltered her in exile。There is one more golden age in Bisnaga when Pampa returns。 Zerelda becomes the junior queen to the last good king, Krishnadevaraya, and Pampa is a revered regent --- for a while。 In the end she is humbled, and she lives out her days finishing the grand epic poem of her life。 She truly understands that the teller of the tale has the lasting, final power。 “Words are the only victors。”Reviewed by Eileen Zimmerman Nicol 。。。more

Dallas Robertson

I’ve only read one Salman Rushdie novel before, Shame, which was released in 1983, which means I’ve read two of his books written exactly 40 years apart。I preferred Victory City because the narrative was more consistent, and it was a much easier novel to read (although I myself was 25 years younger when I first read him)。 His writing style is masterful, rich, often humorous (the stutterer early in the novel has some of the best lines), and relatively fast-paced。I’m honestly unsure of the total s I’ve only read one Salman Rushdie novel before, Shame, which was released in 1983, which means I’ve read two of his books written exactly 40 years apart。I preferred Victory City because the narrative was more consistent, and it was a much easier novel to read (although I myself was 25 years younger when I first read him)。 His writing style is masterful, rich, often humorous (the stutterer early in the novel has some of the best lines), and relatively fast-paced。I’m honestly unsure of the total sum of the book and what it means or stands for, but as a story (which we sometimes forget is the first thing authors should be!) it flowed in a consistent way and remained interesting at all times。 There were a couple of little twists and unexpected turns, non-drama where I expected drama and vice versa, which were both brilliant and satisfying。 Ultimately I really loved this book, a story about a magical woman who witnesses and suffers many woes over her long, long life, the latter ultimately being the curse she longs to escape from the most。 I think I’m finally ready to read The Satanic Verses。 。。。more

Mary Ahlgren

didn't work for me。 didn't work for me。 。。。more

Jolanta (knygupe)

3,5*rtc。。。

Nail Sub

Close to finishing Salman Rushdie’s ‘Victory CIty’ - a novel very much in his classical style of magic realism where history mixes seamlessly with myth…As I read it I wonder at his prescience - the book takes in everything from the mythologies of the epic Ramayana and Mahabharat to the foreseeing of the current damage to democracy and the emergence of a religio-fascist trend in the subcontinent…It is no surprise that he has gotten in trouble with sycophants and extremists before (Satanic Verses, Close to finishing Salman Rushdie’s ‘Victory CIty’ - a novel very much in his classical style of magic realism where history mixes seamlessly with myth…As I read it I wonder at his prescience - the book takes in everything from the mythologies of the epic Ramayana and Mahabharat to the foreseeing of the current damage to democracy and the emergence of a religio-fascist trend in the subcontinent…It is no surprise that he has gotten in trouble with sycophants and extremists before (Satanic Verses, Shame and other stories)…and will, very likely, for Victory CIty。 Thought provoking and brave, given his recent history, even though they style of writing is very much in line with his past books… 。。。more

Monica Sangrador

Impresionante y fascinante fábula del imperio de Bisnaga donde se pone de manifiesto como los imperios, tanto divinos como terrestres, se mueven por los mismos resortes que cada una de las personas que los componen, por sus miedos, sus anhelos 。。。 sus emociones y todo ello lo teje maravillosamente Salman Rushie en esta atemporal novela

Sarah

This is my first book by Salman Rushdie and overall I really enjoyed it。 It's styled as a sort of modern recounting of a (fictional) ancient Indian epic poem about the rise and fall of a city grown from magic seeds created by a young woman who gains a god's powers after witnessing injustice。 The story is poignant and beautiful but also really funny in places。 I docked a star because I felt like some of the gender related magic in the middle section wasn't that well executed but overall I would a This is my first book by Salman Rushdie and overall I really enjoyed it。 It's styled as a sort of modern recounting of a (fictional) ancient Indian epic poem about the rise and fall of a city grown from magic seeds created by a young woman who gains a god's powers after witnessing injustice。 The story is poignant and beautiful but also really funny in places。 I docked a star because I felt like some of the gender related magic in the middle section wasn't that well executed but overall I would absolutely recommend。 。。。more

Irene Money

Unfortunately, I don't think I will automatically read another Rushdie book again。 this felt too long, and really dragged before it ended。 Unfortunately, I don't think I will automatically read another Rushdie book again。 this felt too long, and really dragged before it ended。 。。。more

Dana

Fabulous ! I want to have Mr Rushdie over for dinner 。 How does he do it! A golden wordsmith 。 Thank you

Michael Berens

-Victory City is more like Salman Rushdie's earlier books but with heavy doses of the polemic that have characterized his more recent books (understandably)。 The framework of a long-lost epic serves no real purpose and is only a shadow of any Indian or any other Asian epic that I'm aware of。 this is a novel, not an epic in any true sense of that word。 There are flashes of magical realism, beautiful prose and delightful wordplay that one expects from Rushdie, but the story frequently gets bogged -Victory City is more like Salman Rushdie's earlier books but with heavy doses of the polemic that have characterized his more recent books (understandably)。 The framework of a long-lost epic serves no real purpose and is only a shadow of any Indian or any other Asian epic that I'm aware of。 this is a novel, not an epic in any true sense of that word。 There are flashes of magical realism, beautiful prose and delightful wordplay that one expects from Rushdie, but the story frequently gets bogged down by the narrator's intrusions and explanations。 Ultimately, the book tries to make the case for the power of the word and imagination over the forces of evil, literalism, and censorship, but it ends up being an apology for art, and for literature in particular, that relies more on telling than showing。 。。。more

Duarte

From an idea and will of a goddess, a city was born。 An idea for the creation of a more educated society with more rights and equality for women and men。 Without distinction, both more educated and evolved。But throughout time, this society creates friction between hierarchies。 Until a state of no return。A story that talks about the past and makes us think about the present。 To make comparisons and come to conclusions that in our day to day life appear unreal。

Sookie

Historical fiction - not just set during a time in history but fiction surrounding the birth and death of a kingdom that spanned across centuries and several generations, requires more than superficial drama of the involved people and making passing statements about 。。。and they did all these。 She will whisper an empire into existence - but all stories have a way of getting away from their creators 。 。 。 "She", is the main character - Pampa Kampana, is given great amount of power at Historical fiction - not just set during a time in history but fiction surrounding the birth and death of a kingdom that spanned across centuries and several generations, requires more than superficial drama of the involved people and making passing statements about 。。。and they did all these。 She will whisper an empire into existence - but all stories have a way of getting away from their creators 。 。 。 "She", is the main character - Pampa Kampana, is given great amount of power at the age of nine。 She creates an empire, gives stories and memories to people so they become functional and fully formed society overnight and she also inserts herself into the story。 No, the story doesn't get away from the creator but the creator makes herself the main character of it and shapes the next couple of centuries。 In the beginning, she is aware of the future the time holds for the empire, she intervenes when necessary in the name of grand plans for future。 Or so it seems。The plot meanders a lot - shifting between kings, their families, extended court intrigue which really is boring though it shouldn't have been, and around mid point of the book its just names of the kings and their courtesans of this dynasty with few markers to differentiate from their predecessor where not a lot happens。 As this is the story of an empire and not just the kings who are still remembered today (and have movies made about them), a lot of vital historical facts get missed。 If for some reason they are present (like Chinese ambassadors during reign of Bukka I), it goes into a sub-plot that's just not necessary。 The meandering of plot aside, the heart of the story is a mash of lot of ideas。 There are only handful of moments in this entire book that stands out and for a Rushdie novel, and its pretty sad。 。。。more

Shaimaa

stories stories stories

Lisalou

Well told story but at the same time found it a bit hollow。 Maybe because I do not know enough about Indian history? Not sure but this isn't the first I've a little cold after reading his work。 Well told story but at the same time found it a bit hollow。 Maybe because I do not know enough about Indian history? Not sure but this isn't the first I've a little cold after reading his work。 。。。more

Sue Campbell

Always planned to read on of Rushdie's books and I'm glad I chose this one。 What a story。 Always planned to read on of Rushdie's books and I'm glad I chose this one。 What a story。 。。。more

book_withquotes

A little girl nine years old experiences a heavenly encounter that will alter the course of history following a minor conflict between two long-forgotten kingdoms in southern India in the fourteenth century。 Pampa Kampana, who has just witnessed the death of her mother, transforms into a vessel for a goddess who promises her that she will play a crucial role in the development of Bisnaga, which means “victory city” and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world。 Over the follo A little girl nine years old experiences a heavenly encounter that will alter the course of history following a minor conflict between two long-forgotten kingdoms in southern India in the fourteenth century。 Pampa Kampana, who has just witnessed the death of her mother, transforms into a vessel for a goddess who promises her that she will play a crucial role in the development of Bisnaga, which means “victory city” and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world。 Over the following 250 years, Pampa Kampana’s life becomes intricately entwined with Bisnaga’s as she works to fulfill the goal the goddess assigned her: to grant women equal agency in a patriarchal society。 Yet all tales have a way of eluding their author, and Bisnaga is no different as time goes on, kings come and go, conflicts are fought and lost, and allegiances change。This book combines myth, fantasy, history, love, and adventure。 The power of language and the message of gender equality are both quite evident。 Rushdie, in my opinion, is where difficulty and reward for the experienced reader meet。 His writing is colorful, adaptable, and frequently lighthearted。 His narrative technique is supported by narration, which, in my opinion, adds a feeling of an oral heritage to storytelling even though it can be rambling。 The writing is engaging, perceptive, and humorous。 Rushdie must have enjoyed himself immensely while writing this book, at least that is how it seems to me。 The plot has several literary and historical allusions, as well as social commentary。 I’m certain I missed some of them。Rushdie’s fictitious recreation of Victory City serves as the focal point of a profoundly inventive novel in which he alludes in passing to myths, legends, customs, folklore, history, and even biblical tales as he analyses every aspect of society and how it both works and fails。 To fully understand this book, it should be read slowly。 It’s fascinating that, although having been written before Rushdie’s most recent attack, it still has relevance to both what occurred to him and the current circumstances。 It was like reading a fantastic feminist and egalitarian epic; it had the feel of an instant classic。 Huge in scale, but with light humor。 。。。more

patrick tully

in the end its just wordsDo you think all the things this author has been through amazing novel humbly grateful for this writing thank you

Sue

I always pay attention when Salman Rushdie releases a new book。 This is not my favorite Rushdie。 It took a few reading sessions before I got swept up in the story but。。。 in the end, it didn't disappoint。 The magical realism of this one didn't quite work for me but Rushdie's use of language and unique turn of phrase captivates and catapults me into the tale, even if it is not exactly the tale I was hoping for。 If you are new to his work, this is not the book to start with but, if you are already I always pay attention when Salman Rushdie releases a new book。 This is not my favorite Rushdie。 It took a few reading sessions before I got swept up in the story but。。。 in the end, it didn't disappoint。 The magical realism of this one didn't quite work for me but Rushdie's use of language and unique turn of phrase captivates and catapults me into the tale, even if it is not exactly the tale I was hoping for。 If you are new to his work, this is not the book to start with but, if you are already a fan, then go for it。 You won't be disappointed。 。。。more

Duane Meeter

An absorbing epic set in 14th to 17th century India。

Bastian Lechermann

Perfect vacation book to read while in India! Some very subtle hints at todays problems in our society yet always overshadowed by a superbly written story。 This was my first Rushdie book and I very much enjoyed the ride。

tpg0

Unfortunately, as an AI language model, I don't have personal preferences。 However, I can provide you with some information on the book "Victory City"。 "Victory City" is a non-fiction book by John Strausbaugh, published in 2018。 The book explores New York City during the World War II era, highlighting the role the city played in the war effort and its impact on American society。 It delves into the lives of ordinary people during that time, including women, African Americans, and members of the LGBT+ community。 It also examines the cultural and artistic movements of the era, from swing music to film noir。 Reviews of "Victory City" have been generally positive, with many praising Strausbaugh's engaging writing style and the depth of research he put into the book。 Some critics have noted that the book may not offer much new information for readers who are already familiar with the history of World War II and New York City, but it still provides a fascinating look at this pivotal point in American history。 Overall, if you're interested in the history of New York City, the cultural and social history of America during World War II or you enjoy non-fiction books, then "Victory City" is a great choice。

tpg1

I'm sorry, as an AI language model, I do not have personal preferences or opinions。 However, "Victory City" is a historical non-fiction book by John Strausbaugh, which tells the story of New York City during World War II, with a focus on the social, cultural, and political changes that occurred during that time。 The book has received positive reviews for its vivid and immersive portrayal of wartime New York City and its colorful cast of characters。

tpg2

As an AI language model, I cannot provide a personal opinion。 However, I can tell you about the book "Victory City"。 "Victory City" is a non-fiction book written by John Strausbaugh that tells the story of New York City during World War II。 The book covers various aspects of life in the city during that period, from the influx of immigrants to the changes in fashion and music trends。 It also explores the impact of the war on the city's culture and economy, as well as the city's contributions to the war effort。 The book is well-researched and provides a detailed and fascinating look into a pivotal moment in American history。

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