Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Initial Situation
It's All In The Family
To understand this kid, we have to understand his whole darn family, so sit back and relax while we learn about the last two generations of the Aziz family. We don't really know what's going on yet, but we need this part of Saleem's story to understand the rest.
Rising Action
A Star Is Born
Finally! Saleem is born. It only took 200 pages. Anyway, everyone has big dreams for him but he wonders about his purpose in life. He discovers that he has supernatural powers of telepathy. Things are just starting to get interesting.
Climax
Hail Simba!
A lot of stuff happens in between Saleem getting powers and having a son, but you know this is the climax because everything changes. His son represents a new era, while everything up to now was about Saleem. Especially after The Widow cuts off his testicles, Saleem is old news.
Falling Action
Old and Busted
After everything with The Widow, Saleem is a washed up has-been. He has no future, and hates everything new. His son, however, is growing up. He even says his first word: abracadabra.
Conclusion
We Are Made of Star Dust
Saleem and Padma finally get married, but there's no time for celebration. In a crowd full of everyone from his past, he is crushed into dust and dies.