Salman Rushdie Recalls Horror of 2022 Stabbing: “Why Didn’t I Fight?

The Indian-born author, a naturalized American based in New York, has faced death threats since his 1988 novel “The Satanic Verses” was declared blasphemous by Iran’s supreme leader, making Rushdie a global symbol of free speech. After years of remaining unscathed, a knife-wielding assailant jumped on stage at an arts gathering in rural New York state and stabbed Rushdie multiple times in the neck and abdomen, resulting in the loss of his right eye. In his book “Knife,” Rushdie reflects on the attack, expressing his confusion and sense of inevitability.

He recounts his premonition of being stabbed in an amphitheater just days before the incident, but dismissed it as a mere dream. Rushdie also reveals that he had been invited to the event to speak about protecting threatened writers, adding irony to the situation. Following the attack, Rushdie experienced nightmares but also found catharsis in revisiting the Chautauqua Institution where the near-fatal event occurred.

He describes feeling a sense of lightness and relief during this visit in his book. Despite the ordeal, Rushdie continued to live a tumultuous life, facing not only the aftermath of the attack but also the unwelcome attention brought by his controversial novel. Forced to go underground and granted police protection in Britain, he later began to emerge from his life on the run after Iran announced it would not support his assassination.

He became a prominent figure on the international party circuit and continued his writing career, releasing a novel titled “Victory City” in 2023. Throughout his tumultuous experiences, Rushdie was married five times and has two children. His resilience and courage were commended by many, as he held his narrative close until the release of his book “Knife,” where he shared the story of the life-threatening attack.