New York, United States – Renowned British writer Salman Rushdie has made a triumphant return to the literary scene with the publication of his highly-anticipated memoir, “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.” This memoir delves into the harrowing experience Rushdie faced following a violent attack that left him hospitalized for six weeks. Rushdie was preparing to deliver a lecture on free speech at the Chautauqua Institution in New York when an assailant stabbed him multiple times, resulting in severe injuries that included blindness in one eye and loss of feeling in some fingertips.
The 76-year-old novelist and short story writer, originating from Bombay in British India, later graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in history. Despite his modest beginnings, Rushdie’s literary career skyrocketed with the release of his iconic novel “Midnight’s Children,” which earned him the Booker Prize in 1981. However, it was his novel “The Satanic Verses” in 1988 that sparked international controversy, with some quarters in the Islamic world deeming it blasphemous.
The backlash against “The Satanic Verses” was so intense that Rushdie was forced into hiding for nearly a decade, fearing for his life amidst violent protests and threats. His experience during this tumultuous period inspired him to advocate for free speech and artistic expression. Despite the dangers he faced, Rushdie continued to write and publish other works, including the children’s novel “Haroun and the Sea of Stories.”
Following the lifting of the fatwa against him in 1998, Rushdie emerged from hiding and reentered public life. He further championed free speech as a fundamental human right and went on to pursue endeavors in film, appearing in various productions and even narrating adaptations of his own novels. In 2012, he released his first memoir, “Joseph Anton,” where he reflected on the challenges he had faced during his time in hiding.
The 2022 attack on Rushdie, chronicled in his latest memoir “Knife,” serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing threats he faces due to his controversial past. Despite the trauma he endured, Rushdie remains committed to advocating for free speech and resilience in the face of violence. As the trial against the perpetrator of the attack, Hadi Matar, unfolds, the contents of Rushdie’s memoir may serve as crucial evidence in the case. Rushdie’s unwavering dedication to his craft and his principles continues to inspire readers and writers around the world.