Renowned author Salman Rushdie, known for his literary masterpieces such as 'The Satanic Verses' and 'Midnight's Children,' is preparing to unveil a forthcoming memoir.
This highly anticipated book will delve into the chilling incident that changed Rushdie's life, resulting in the loss of vision in his right eye and major damage to his left hand, according to Mail Online.
Salman Rushdie's 'Knife' Memoir
In a statement by Penguin Random House, Rushdie expressed that writing this book was a way for him to reclaim control over a traumatic event and respond to violence with art.
The motivation for 'Knife' stems from a horrifying incident last August when Rushdie was stabbed multiple times in the neck and abdomen while preparing to lecture in western New York. The attacker, Hadi Matar, has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and attempted murder.
Rushdie's life has not been without danger, notably after the late Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989, calling for his death over alleged blasphemy in his novel 'The Satanic Verses.'
For years, Rushdie lived in seclusion under tight security. However, in recent times, he had been able to lead a less restricted life until the harrowing stabbing incident at the Chautauqua Institution. The upcoming 256-page memoir, 'Knife,' will be published in the US by Random House, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
This follows the release of Rushdie's novel 'Victory City,' completed before the attack. Aside from his acclaimed literary career, Salman Rushdie is a strong advocate for free expression and has served as a former president of PEN America.
Penguin Random House's CEO, Nihar Malaviya, referred to 'Knife' as a searing book that reminds readers of the power of words in making sense of the unimaginable. Malaviya expressed his honor in publishing the memoir and admiration for Rushdie's determination to share his story and return to his beloved craft.
In a candid interview with The New Yorker, Rushdie spoke about the aftermath of the attack and how he had worked hard to avoid bitterness and recrimination, focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past. He acknowledged his difficulties in writing fiction and suggested he might turn to memoir writing instead.
Rushdie's earlier memoir, "Joseph Anton," extensively covered his experiences during the fatwa years. However, he emphasized that the 2022 attack felt more personal, a story told in the first person due to the physical harm inflicted upon him.
Despite his challenges, Salman Rushdie's resilience and dedication to his craft remain unwavering, according to NBC New York.
The Life of Salman Rushdie
In May, he received the 'Freedom to Publish' award from the British Book Awards, a testament to his steadfast commitment to the freedom of expression. The attack in August 2022 left Rushdie blind in one eye and affected the use of one of his hands.
The attacker, a Shi'ite Muslim American from New Jersey, pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree attempted murder and assault. Salman Rushdie has long been a target of death threats due to his fourth novel, 'The Satanic Verses.'
The book was banned in many countries with large Muslim populations upon its 1988 publication, as some deemed it blasphemous. Rushdie spent years hiding after Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for his assassination.
Even though Iran's pro-reform government distanced itself from the fatwa in the late 1990s, the bounty on Rushdie's head continued to grow, and the fatwa was never officially revoked. The current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, once declared the fatwa "irrevocable." CNN reported.
