The Satanic Verses: Part 7, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

London is in the midst of a dangerous heatwave. During this time, Mr. Billy Battuta—a famous actor noted for his mistreatment of women—and his companion, Mimi Mamoulian—Saladin’s former co-star—announce their “grand coming-out” party. They recently returned to the city after dealing with legal troubles in New York. Billy’s business connections helped him get a lenient judge, and his charm convinced several wealthy women to sign a clemency petition. They believe Billy has genuinely repented and deserves a lighter punishment than prison. The judge agrees and gives Billy a lenient sentence of deportation and a fine. Mimi, seen as merely an accomplice, receives a suspended sentence.

Billy and Mimi return to London and immediately start celebrating at Crockford’s, a private club. They send out invitations to their big party, which is planned to take place on a giant sound stage at Shepperton film studios. This location has been transformed into a recreation of Dickensian London, for a movie adaptation of Charles Dickens’s last completed novel. The party is expected to be filled with celebrities, socialites, and important figures.

On the night of the party, the heat is unbearable. Pamela and Jumpy arrive together in Pamela’s car, while Saladin, who prefers to travel alone, takes a coach that the hosts provide. The party setting is impressive, with various famous locations from Dickens’s London condensed into the studio space. The guests, including society grandees, fashion models, film stars, and minor royalty, mingle with hired extras dressed in period costumes. Saladin spots Gibreel in the crowd, surrounded by admirers with Allie by his side.

Saladin makes his way through the dense crowd, determined to reach Gibreel. However, the crowd suddenly parts as loud music starts, and Saladin is pushed back into a fake building, the “Curiosity Shop.” Inside the fake building, a woman approaches him, flirtatiously talking about the cast’s romantic escapades during the show’s run. She exposes her breast, revealing a map of London drawn on it. Saladin, overwhelmed, escapes back into the chaotic street.

Gibreel, standing on a replica of London Bridge, looks directly at Saladin and raises his arm in greeting. Saladin, filled with resentment, recalls how Gibreel stood by silently while the policemen humiliated and captured Saladin. Saladin realizes that he blames Gibreel for everything that has gone wrong in his life since boarding Flight 420. Still, Saladin approaches Gibreel and exchanges pleasantries with him. Despite Gibreel’s friendly demeanor, Saladin’s anger quickly grows because Allie’s presence reminds him of the English wife he lost. Gibreel talks extensively about his sex life with Allie, which is quite active. Saladin quickly gets the sense that Gibreel does not actually love Allie. Rather, he simply enjoys having sex with her. As he listens, Saladin drinks heavily, trying to numb his pain.

Gibreel, trying to be nice, begins asking Saladin about Pamela. Saladin tells Gibreel that Pamela is pregnant. Not realizing that Saladin is not the father, Gibreel congratulates him and is confused when Saladin grows irate. Eventually, Saladin tells the whole truth: Pamela is pregnant with Jumpy’s child. Jumpy gave Pamela the child that she always wanted, which Saladin could never produce.

Gibreel, disturbed after hearing Saladin’s revelation, suddenly disappears. Saladin tells Allie that Gibreel is gone, which causes her to grow frantic. The party descends into chaos when an actor rows down the studio’s fake Thames, carrying the unconscious body of Jumpy, whom Gibreel knocked out. A week later, Saladin finds himself on a journey to Scotland with Allie, who has asked for his help in dealing with Gibreel’s deteriorating mental state. Gibreel’s condition has worsened, and Allie has taken him to a secluded area away from the public eye.

Saladin, still harboring his own vengeful feelings, pretends to be sympathetic. At the remote getaway, Gibreel confesses to Saladin his fears and frustrations about his mental health, revealing that he has even attacked Allie in a fit of madness. Allie, trying to cope with Gibreel’s worsening condition, feels guilty and responsible for his decline. Saladin listens to their woes and alternates between feeling bad and plotting his revenge.

The next day, Gibreel insists on climbing a nearby hill with Saladin despite the rainy weather. On the hike, Gibreel becomes paranoid and rants about protecting Allie from the lustful gazes of other men. Saladin realizes that Allie cannot continue living this way for long and considers how he might exploit the situation. As they drive back to the train station, Allie talks about her struggles, and Saladin encourages her to stay connected to her own life and not let Gibreel isolate her. He subtly plants the seeds of doubt and fear in her mind, hoping he drive a wedge between her and Gibreel.

Back in London, Gibreel becomes increasingly obsessed with Allie while Saladin continues to manipulate them. Saladin, using his skills as a voice actor, begins making anonymous phone calls to Gibreel and Allie, using different voices to drive them apart. Over time, Gibreel becomes convinced that Allie is unfaithful. All this culminates in a final, violent outburst. Gibreel destroys Allie’s prized possessions in a fit of rage before leaving her for good. Allie, heartbroken and furious, vows never to take him back.

Saladin, satisfied with the success of his plan, feels a twisted sense of triumph. Meanwhile, Gibreel, now completely unhinged, walks into a store and buys a trumpet, declaring himself the right hand of God. The shop attendants are stunned as they witness what seems to be a supernatural event. Although they initially think Gibreel is crazy, they then see what looks like a halo around his head. After purchasing the trumpet, Gibreel names it “Azraeel.”