Salman Rushdie survives assassination attempt and describes his experience

In 2022, Salman Rushdie, a prominent author, was attacked during a public lecture in the United States. This violent incident resulted in him being stabbed multiple times, inflicting severe injuries that caused him to lose his right eye. The attack was a culmination of a long history of threats against Rushdie that began back in 1989, when Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini called for his assassination due to blasphemous content in his novel, 'The Satanic Verses.' Rushdie had spent years in hiding following this decree, living with the fear of violence against him. In his latest memoir, titled 'Knife,' published in April 2024, Rushdie delves into his experiences, detailing the attack and its aftermath. He conveys his struggle with the trauma sustained during the incident, stating, 'The knife defines me.' The memoir captures the feeling of impending death he encountered during the attack and the subsequent journey toward finding closure. Despite the horrific experience, Rushdie expresses a desire to move forward and not dwell on his past victimhood. Following the attack, he learned that his assailant had only read a couple of pages from 'The Satanic Verses,' provoking further contemplation about the motivations behind the violence. Rushdie's writing serves as a cathartic mechanism for him to process the near-fatal encounter. In his memoir, he mentions that he does not intend to write about his personal experiences any further, indicating a desire to shift his focus back to fiction, potentially represented by a new ghost story he is working on. Despite the adversity faced, Rushdie’s resilience shines through as he moves away from portraying himself purely as a victim. His experiences and reflections in 'Knife' not only illuminate the personal consequences of such violence but also spark a broader conversation about freedom of expression, the impact of extremism, and the price paid by authors who dare to share controversial ideas.