Salman Rushdie unveils his latest work ‘Knife’

April 16, 2024

Acclaimed author Salman Rushdie faced a near-fatal attack by a knife-wielding assailant at an arts gathering in New York in 2022. This incident resulted in severe injuries, including blindness in one eye. Rushdie’s memoir ‘Knife’ recounts this harrowing experience and his journey of recovery and resilience.

Key Facts

Salman Rushdie released ‘Knife’ recently, marking his first book since the 2022 attack that left him hospitalized and partially blind.
The memoir begins with Rushdie vividly describing the attack that took place in upstate New York while he was discussing writer safety at the Chautauqua Amphitheatre.
‘Knife’ is a concise memoir that offers insights into Rushdie’s thoughts and emotions following the attack, providing a glimpse into his experiences during that traumatic period.
This memoir is Rushdie’s first since ‘Joseph Anton’ in 2012, which detailed his life under a fatwa issued in response to ‘The Satanic Verses.’
‘Knife’ delves into Rushdie’s personal life, including his marriage to poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths and the illness and passing of his close friend, Martin Amis.
Rushdie reflects on his attacker, referred to as ‘The A,’ and contemplates a hypothetical dialogue with him in the memoir.
Despite the trauma depicted in ‘Knife,’ Rushdie’s narrative also highlights his healing and resilience, depicting his return to public life amidst worldwide support.
Rushdie recounts a premonitory dream of being stabbed before the attack, reflecting on the irony of the situation as he had planned to use the event payment for home repairs.
The aftermath of the attack haunted Rushdie with nightmares, as documented in his memoir, reflecting on his response and sense of inevitability.
Excerpts from ‘Knife’ include poignant reflections from Rushdie on the attack, his emotions, and the impact it had on his life and work.

About Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie is a renowned British-Indian author known for his groundbreaking novel “Midnight’s Children,” which won the Booker Prize in 1981 and the Booker of Bookers Prize in 1993. Rushdie is famous for blending magical realism with historical fiction, often exploring themes of identity, politics, and religion. He gained global attention and faced controversy with the publication of his novel “The Satanic Verses,” which led to a fatwa issued by the Iranian government in 1989. Rushdie continues to write critically acclaimed works and is considered a literary icon. In summary, Salman Rushdie is a celebrated author known for his innovative storytelling style, bold themes, and controversial works that have solidified his place in literary history.

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