Shalimar the Clown lives peacefully in a village in Kashmir, where he works as an acrobat. Until one day, his beloved runs away with the American ambassador Max Ophuls. In Shalimar's mind, the destruction of his homeland by Indians, Pakistanis, and Americans is equated with the loss of his adored one. Thus, he arrives in America, enters the ambassador's service, and mercilessly kills him in front of his daughter's eyes. However, while the media clamors about a terrorist act, the dead ambassador's daughter, India, seeks revenge. Through a story of love and betrayal, Rushdie proves that the making of terrorists is a simple matter; all it takes is a betrayed love and a devastated homeland. It is up to the reader to discover what he truly means when he warns us of the danger knocking at our door whenever we deny love, companionship, and respect for different cultures. A story that balances between political and romantic passion!