Salman Rushdie recounts getting stabbed (2024)

>> Salman Rushdie has been a marked man for >> Salman Rushdie has been a marked man for nearly half his life. In 1989, Iran's nearly half his life. In 1989, Iran's nearly half his life. In 1989, Iran's leader Ayatollah Khomeini declared his leader Ayatollah Khomeini declared his leader Ayatollah Khomeini declared his novel The Satanic Verses blasphemous, an novel The Satanic Verses blasphemous, an novel The Satanic Verses blasphemous, an insult to Islam, and called for the insult to Islam, and called for the insult to Islam, and called for the Indian-born writer's assassination. Indian-born writer's assassination. Indian-born writer's assassination. Rushdie went into hiding with Rushdie went into hiding with Rushdie went into hiding with around-the-clock police protection for around-the-clock police protection for around-the-clock police protection for 10 years. He eventually moved to the US 10 years. He eventually moved to the US 10 years. He eventually moved to the US and thought he was safe. and thought he was safe. and thought he was safe. But in August 2022, as he was about to But in August 2022, as he was about to But in August 2022, as he was about to speak at a literary festival in speak at a literary festival in speak at a literary festival in Chautauqua, New York, Salman Rushdie was Chautauqua, New York, Salman Rushdie was Chautauqua, New York, Salman Rushdie was attacked by a Muslim man with a knife. attacked by a Muslim man with a knife. attacked by a Muslim man with a knife. Rushdie, who's now 76, lost his right Rushdie, who's now 76, lost his right Rushdie, who's now 76, lost his right eye and came close to dying. eye and came close to dying. eye and came close to dying. He's come to terms with the attempt on He's come to terms with the attempt on He's come to terms with the attempt on his life by writing a book about it, his life by writing a book about it, his life by writing a book about it, called simply Knife, which comes out called simply Knife, which comes out called simply Knife, which comes out Tuesday. Tuesday. Tuesday. This is his first television interview This is his first television interview This is his first television interview since the attack. since the attack. since the attack. >> You had had a dream >> You had had a dream >> You had had a dream >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> two days, I think it was, before the >> two days, I think it was, before the >> two days, I think it was, before the attack. attack. attack. >> What was the dream? >> What was the dream? >> What was the dream? >> I kind of had a premonition. I mean, I >> I kind of had a premonition. I mean, I >> I kind of had a premonition. I mean, I had a I had a dream of being attacked in had a I had a dream of being attacked in had a I had a dream of being attacked in an amphitheater.

an amphitheater. an amphitheater. But it was a kind of Roman Empire dream, But it was a kind of Roman Empire dream, But it was a kind of Roman Empire dream, you know, as as as as if I was you know, as as as as if I was you know, as as as as if I was in the Colosseum. And it was just in the Colosseum. And it was just in the Colosseum. And it was just somebody with a spear stabbing somebody with a spear stabbing somebody with a spear stabbing downwards, and I was rolling around on downwards, and I was rolling around on downwards, and I was rolling around on the floor trying to the floor trying to the floor trying to get away from him. get away from him. get away from him. And I woke up and was quite shaken by And I woke up and was quite shaken by And I woke up and was quite shaken by it. And I had to go to Chautauqua, you it. And I had to go to Chautauqua, you it. And I had to go to Chautauqua, you know, and I I I said to my wife Eliza, I know, and I I I said to my wife Eliza, I know, and I I I said to my wife Eliza, I said, you know, I I don't want to go. said, you know, I I don't want to go. said, you know, I I don't want to go. >> Because of the dream? >> Because of the dream? >> Because of the dream? >> Because of the dream. And then I >> Because of the dream. And then I >> Because of the dream. And then I thought, don't be silly, it's a dream. thought, don't be silly, it's a dream. thought, don't be silly, it's a dream. >> Just felt >> Just felt >> Just felt >> Salman Rushdie, one of his generations' >> Salman Rushdie, one of his generations' >> Salman Rushdie, one of his generations' most acclaimed writers, had been invited most acclaimed writers, had been invited most acclaimed writers, had been invited to the town of Chautauqua, close to Lake to the town of Chautauqua, close to Lake to the town of Chautauqua, close to Lake Erie, to speak about a subject he knows Erie, to speak about a subject he knows Erie, to speak about a subject he knows all too well, the importance of all too well, the importance of all too well, the importance of protecting writers whose lives are under protecting writers whose lives are under protecting writers whose lives are under threat. threat. threat. >> Did you have any anxiety being in a in >> Did you have any anxiety being in a in >> Did you have any anxiety being in a in such a public space? such a public space? such a public space? >> Not really, because in the what are more >> Not really, because in the what are more >> Not really, because in the what are more than 20 years that I've been living in than 20 years that I've been living in than 20 years that I've been living in America, I've done America, I've done America, I've done a lot of these things. a lot of these things. a lot of these things. >> You haven't had security around you, a >> You haven't had security around you, a >> You haven't had security around you, a close protection detail for a long time. close protection detail for a long time. close protection detail for a long time. >> Long time. But, you [clears throat] >> Long time. But, you [clears throat] >> Long time. But, you [clears throat] know, what happens in many places that know, what happens in many places that know, what happens in many places that you go and lecture is that that that you go and lecture is that that that you go and lecture is that that that they're used to having a certain degree they're used to having a certain degree they're used to having a certain degree of security, venue security. In this of security, venue security. In this of security, venue security. In this case, there wasn't any.

case, there wasn't any. case, there wasn't any. >> The irony, of course, is you were there >> The irony, of course, is you were there >> The irony, of course, is you were there to talk about writers in danger. to talk about writers in danger. to talk about writers in danger. >> Yeah, exactly. And the need for writers >> Yeah, exactly. And the need for writers >> Yeah, exactly. And the need for writers from other countries to have safe spaces from other countries to have safe spaces from other countries to have safe spaces in America, amongst other places. And in America, amongst other places. And in America, amongst other places. And then, yeah, it just turned out not to be then, yeah, it just turned out not to be then, yeah, it just turned out not to be a safe space for me. a safe space for me. a safe space for me. >> For years, no place was safe for Salman >> For years, no place was safe for Salman >> For years, no place was safe for Salman Rushdie. Rushdie. Rushdie. His sprawling 600-page novel, The His sprawling 600-page novel, The His sprawling 600-page novel, The Satanic Verses, offended some Muslims Satanic Verses, offended some Muslims Satanic Verses, offended some Muslims for its depiction of the Prophet for its depiction of the Prophet for its depiction of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad. Muhammad. Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, a religious decree calling for fatwa, a religious decree calling for fatwa, a religious decree calling for Rushdie's death in 1989. Rushdie's death in 1989. Rushdie's death in 1989. >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> There were worldwide protests from >> There were worldwide protests from >> There were worldwide protests from London to La Jolla. London to La Jolla. London to La Jolla. The Satanic Verses was burned, and 12 The Satanic Verses was burned, and 12 The Satanic Verses was burned, and 12 people died in clashes with police. The people died in clashes with police. The people died in clashes with police. The book's Japanese translator was murdered, book's Japanese translator was murdered, book's Japanese translator was murdered, and others associated with it were and others associated with it were and others associated with it were attacked. attacked. attacked. >> Did you have any idea that it would >> Did you have any idea that it would >> Did you have any idea that it would cause violence? cause violence? cause violence? >> No, I had no idea. I thought probably >> No, I had no idea. I thought probably >> No, I had no idea. I thought probably some conservative religious people some conservative religious people some conservative religious people wouldn't like it, but they didn't like wouldn't like it, but they didn't like wouldn't like it, but they didn't like anything I wrote anyway. So, I thought, anything I wrote anyway. So, I thought, anything I wrote anyway. So, I thought, well, well, well, they don't have to read it.

they don't have to read it. they don't have to read it. >> Were you naive? >> Were you naive? >> Were you naive? >> Probably. You know, I mean, it's easy >> Probably. You know, I mean, it's easy >> Probably. You know, I mean, it's easy looking back to think, but nothing like looking back to think, but nothing like looking back to think, but nothing like this had ever happened to anybody. And, this had ever happened to anybody. And, this had ever happened to anybody. And, of course, almost all the people who of course, almost all the people who of course, almost all the people who attacked the book did so without reading attacked the book did so without reading attacked the book did so without reading it. it. it. I was often told that I had intended to I was often told that I had intended to I was often told that I had intended to insult, offend people. And my view was, insult, offend people. And my view was, insult, offend people. And my view was, if I need to insult you, I can do it if I need to insult you, I can do it if I need to insult you, I can do it really quickly. I don't need to spend 5 really quickly. I don't need to spend 5 really quickly. I don't need to spend 5 years of my life years of my life years of my life trying to write a 600-page book trying to write a 600-page book trying to write a 600-page book to insult you. to insult you. to insult you. >> Rushdie was living in London when he >> Rushdie was living in London when he >> Rushdie was living in London when he went into hiding, and for the next 10 went into hiding, and for the next 10 went into hiding, and for the next 10 years, the British government provided years, the British government provided years, the British government provided him with 24-hour police protection. him with 24-hour police protection. him with 24-hour police protection. >> Did people try to kill you? >> Did people try to kill you? >> Did people try to kill you? >> Yes. There were maybe as many as half a >> Yes. There were maybe as many as half a >> Yes. There were maybe as many as half a dozen serious assassination attempts, dozen serious assassination attempts, dozen serious assassination attempts, which were not random people. They were which were not random people. They were which were not random people. They were state-sponsored terrorism professionals. state-sponsored terrorism professionals. state-sponsored terrorism professionals. >> After diplomatic negotiations, the >> After diplomatic negotiations, the >> After diplomatic negotiations, the Iranian state called off its assassins Iranian state called off its assassins Iranian state called off its assassins in 1998. in 1998. in 1998. Rushdie finally came out of the shadows. Rushdie finally came out of the shadows. Rushdie finally came out of the shadows. He moved to New York and for the next He moved to New York and for the next He moved to New York and for the next two decades lived openly. He was a man two decades lived openly. He was a man two decades lived openly. He was a man about town. He continued writing, became about town. He continued writing, became about town. He continued writing, became a celebrated advocate for freedom of a celebrated advocate for freedom of a celebrated advocate for freedom of expression.

expression. expression. So, when he received the invitation to So, when he received the invitation to So, when he received the invitation to speak in Chautauqua in August 2022, he speak in Chautauqua in August 2022, he speak in Chautauqua in August 2022, he gladly accepted. gladly accepted. gladly accepted. >> I was seated at stage right. >> I was seated at stage right. >> I was seated at stage right. >> In his new book, Knife, he describes >> In his new book, Knife, he describes >> In his new book, Knife, he describes what happened next. what happened next. what happened next. >> Then, in the corner of my right eye, >> Then, in the corner of my right eye, >> Then, in the corner of my right eye, the last thing my right eye would ever the last thing my right eye would ever the last thing my right eye would ever see, see, see, I saw the man in black running towards I saw the man in black running towards I saw the man in black running towards me down the right-hand side of the me down the right-hand side of the me down the right-hand side of the seating area. seating area. seating area. Black clothes, black face mask. He was Black clothes, black face mask. He was Black clothes, black face mask. He was coming in hard and low, a squat missile. coming in hard and low, a squat missile. coming in hard and low, a squat missile. I confess I had sometimes imagined my I confess I had sometimes imagined my I confess I had sometimes imagined my assassin rising up in some public forum assassin rising up in some public forum assassin rising up in some public forum or other and coming for me in just this or other and coming for me in just this or other and coming for me in just this way. way. way. So, my first thought when I saw this So, my first thought when I saw this So, my first thought when I saw this murderous shape rushing towards me was, murderous shape rushing towards me was, murderous shape rushing towards me was, "So, it's you. "So, it's you. "So, it's you. Here you are." Here you are." Here you are." >> "So, it's you. Here you are." >> "So, it's you. Here you are." >> "So, it's you. Here you are." >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's like you've been waiting for it. >> It's like you've been waiting for it. >> It's like you've been waiting for it. >> Yeah, that's what it felt like. It felt >> Yeah, that's what it felt like. It felt >> Yeah, that's what it felt like. It felt like something coming out of the distant like something coming out of the distant like something coming out of the distant past and trying to drag me back in time, past and trying to drag me back in time, past and trying to drag me back in time, if you like, back into that distant past if you like, back into that distant past if you like, back into that distant past in order to kill me.

in order to kill me. in order to kill me. And when he got to me, he basically hit And when he got to me, he basically hit And when he got to me, he basically hit me very hard me very hard me very hard here. here. here. And initially, I thought And initially, I thought And initially, I thought I'd been punched. I'd been punched. I'd been punched. >> You didn't actually see a knife. >> You didn't actually see a knife. >> You didn't actually see a knife. >> I didn't see the knife. And I didn't >> I didn't see the knife. And I didn't >> I didn't see the knife. And I didn't realize until I saw blood coming out realize until I saw blood coming out realize until I saw blood coming out that there would be a knife in his in that there would be a knife in his in that there would be a knife in his in his fist. his fist. his fist. >> So, where was that stab? >> So, where was that stab? >> So, where was that stab? >> Here. >> Here. >> Here. >> In in your your >> In in your your >> In in your your >> In my neck, yeah. Then there were a >> In my neck, yeah. Then there were a >> In my neck, yeah. Then there were a more. The worst wounds were there was a more. The worst wounds were there was a more. The worst wounds were there was a big slash wound like this big slash wound like this big slash wound like this across my neck. across my neck. across my neck. And there's a And there's a And there's a puncture stab wound here. puncture stab wound here. puncture stab wound here. And then of course there was the attack And then of course there was the attack And then of course there was the attack on my eye. on my eye. on my eye. >> Do you remember being stabbed in the >> Do you remember being stabbed in the >> Do you remember being stabbed in the eye? eye? eye? >> No. >> No. >> No. I remember falling. I remember falling. I remember falling. Then I remember not knowing what had Then I remember not knowing what had Then I remember not knowing what had happened to my eye. happened to my eye. happened to my eye. >> He was also stabbed in his hand, chest, >> He was also stabbed in his hand, chest, >> He was also stabbed in his hand, chest, abdomen, and thigh. 15 wounds in all. abdomen, and thigh. 15 wounds in all. abdomen, and thigh. 15 wounds in all. >> He was both stabbing >> He was both stabbing >> He was both stabbing >> Stabbing and slashing. I think he was >> Stabbing and slashing. I think he was >> Stabbing and slashing. I think he was just wildly just wildly just wildly >> The attack lasted 27 seconds. To feel >> The attack lasted 27 seconds. To feel >> The attack lasted 27 seconds. To feel just how long that is. just how long that is. just how long that is. >> This is what 27 seconds is.

That's it. That's quite a long time. That's it. That's quite a long time. >> That's the >> That's the >> That's the extraordinary half minute of intimacy extraordinary half minute of intimacy extraordinary half minute of intimacy in which life meets death. >> What stopped it from being longer? >> What stopped it from being longer? >> The audience pulling him off me. >> The audience pulling him off me. >> The audience pulling him off me. >> Strangers to you? >> Strangers to you? >> Strangers to you? >> Total strangers. To this day I don't >> Total strangers. To this day I don't >> Total strangers. To this day I don't know their names. know their names. know their names. >> Some of those strangers restrained the >> Some of those strangers restrained the >> Some of those strangers restrained the attacker while others desperately tried attacker while others desperately tried attacker while others desperately tried to stem the flow of Rushdie's blood. to stem the flow of Rushdie's blood. to stem the flow of Rushdie's blood. >> There was really a lot of blood. >> There was really a lot of blood. >> There was really a lot of blood. >> You were actually watching your blood. >> You were actually watching your blood. >> You were actually watching your blood. >> actually watching it spread. And then I >> actually watching it spread. And then I >> actually watching it spread. And then I remember thinking that I was probably remember thinking that I was probably remember thinking that I was probably dying. dying. dying. And it was interesting because it was And it was interesting because it was And it was interesting because it was quite matter-of-fact. It wasn't like I quite matter-of-fact. It wasn't like I quite matter-of-fact. It wasn't like I was terrified of it or whatever. And was terrified of it or whatever. And was terrified of it or whatever. And yeah, there was nothing. No heavenly yeah, there was nothing. No heavenly yeah, there was nothing. No heavenly choirs. choirs. choirs. No pearly gates. I mean I'm not a No pearly gates. I mean I'm not a No pearly gates. I mean I'm not a supernatural person, you know. I believe supernatural person, you know. I believe supernatural person, you know. I believe that death comes as the end. There was that death comes as the end. There was that death comes as the end. There was nothing that happened that made me nothing that happened that made me nothing that happened that made me change my mind about that. change my mind about that. change my mind about that. >> You have not had a revelation. >> You have not had a revelation. >> You have not had a revelation. >> I have not had any revelation except >> I have not had any revelation except >> I have not had any revelation except that there's no revelation to be had. that there's no revelation to be had. that there's no revelation to be had. >> His attacker, the man in black, was >> His attacker, the man in black, was >> His attacker, the man in black, was hustled off the stage.

hustled off the stage. hustled off the stage. In the book, you do not use the In the book, you do not use the In the book, you do not use the attacker's name. attacker's name. attacker's name. >> Yeah. I thought, you know, >> Yeah. I thought, you know, >> Yeah. I thought, you know, I don't want his name in my book. I don't want his name in my book. I don't want his name in my book. And I don't use it in conversation, And I don't use it in conversation, And I don't use it in conversation, either. either. either. >> But that is important to you, not to >> But that is important to you, not to >> But that is important to you, not to give him space in your brain. give him space in your brain. give him space in your brain. >> Yeah. He and I had 27 seconds together. >> Yeah. He and I had 27 seconds together. >> Yeah. He and I had 27 seconds together. You know, that's it. You know, that's it. You know, that's it. I don't need to give him any more of my I don't need to give him any more of my I don't need to give him any more of my time. time. time. >> Paramedics flew Rushdie to a hospital in >> Paramedics flew Rushdie to a hospital in >> Paramedics flew Rushdie to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, 40 miles away, where Erie, Pennsylvania, 40 miles away, where Erie, Pennsylvania, 40 miles away, where a team of doctors battled for 8 hours to a team of doctors battled for 8 hours to a team of doctors battled for 8 hours to save his life. When he finally came out save his life. When he finally came out save his life. When he finally came out of surgery, his wife, Eliza, a poet and of surgery, his wife, Eliza, a poet and of surgery, his wife, Eliza, a poet and novelist, was waiting. novelist, was waiting. novelist, was waiting. >> I mean, he wasn't moving, and he was >> I mean, he wasn't moving, and he was >> I mean, he wasn't moving, and he was just laid out. just laid out. just laid out. >> He He looked half dead to you? >> He He looked half dead to you? >> He He looked half dead to you? >> Yes. He did. He was a different color. >> Yes. He did. He was a different color. >> Yes. He did. He was a different color. He was cold. I mean, his his face was He was cold. I mean, his his face was He was cold. I mean, his his face was stapled. Just staples holding his face stapled. Just staples holding his face stapled. Just staples holding his face together. together. together. >> Rushdie was on a ventilator, unable to >> Rushdie was on a ventilator, unable to >> Rushdie was on a ventilator, unable to speak. Eliza and the doctors had no idea speak. Eliza and the doctors had no idea speak. Eliza and the doctors had no idea whether the knife that had penetrated whether the knife that had penetrated whether the knife that had penetrated his eye had damaged his brain.

his eye had damaged his brain. his eye had damaged his brain. >> Someone from the staff >> Someone from the staff >> Someone from the staff said that we would use the system of said that we would use the system of said that we would use the system of wiggling the toes wiggling the toes wiggling the toes >> to communicate. >> to communicate. >> to communicate. >> to communicate. >> to communicate. >> to communicate. >> Do you remember the first question you >> Do you remember the first question you >> Do you remember the first question you asked him to to get a wiggle or asked him to to get a wiggle or asked him to to get a wiggle or >> I think I said, "Salman, it's Eliza. Can >> I think I said, "Salman, it's Eliza. Can >> I think I said, "Salman, it's Eliza. Can you hear me?" And there was you hear me?" And there was you hear me?" And there was there was a wiggle. there was a wiggle. there was a wiggle. And asked him, I think, "Can you Do you And asked him, I think, "Can you Do you And asked him, I think, "Can you Do you know where you are?" And wiggled. Um and know where you are?" And wiggled. Um and know where you are?" And wiggled. Um and it was it was a very basic, simple it was it was a very basic, simple it was it was a very basic, simple questions. questions. questions. >> Cuz you can't express yourself with any >> Cuz you can't express yourself with any >> Cuz you can't express yourself with any subtlety subtlety subtlety with your toes. with your toes. with your toes. >> Which is your favorite thing? >> Which is your favorite thing? >> Which is your favorite thing? >> [laughter] >> After 18 days in the hospital and 3 >> After 18 days in the hospital and 3 weeks in rehab, Rushdie was discharged. weeks in rehab, Rushdie was discharged. weeks in rehab, Rushdie was discharged. >> One of the surgeons who had saved my >> One of the surgeons who had saved my >> One of the surgeons who had saved my life said to me, "First, you were really life said to me, "First, you were really life said to me, "First, you were really unlucky, and then you were really unlucky, and then you were really unlucky, and then you were really lucky." lucky." lucky." I said, "What's the lucky part?" I said, "What's the lucky part?" I said, "What's the lucky part?" And he said, "Well, the lucky part is And he said, "Well, the lucky part is And he said, "Well, the lucky part is that the man who attacked you had no that the man who attacked you had no that the man who attacked you had no idea how to kill a man with a knife." idea how to kill a man with a knife." idea how to kill a man with a knife." >> You're not a believer in miracles. But >> You're not a believer in miracles. But >> You're not a believer in miracles. But the fact that you survived, you write in the fact that you survived, you write in the fact that you survived, you write in the book, is a miracle.

the book, is a miracle. the book, is a miracle. >> This is a contradiction. >> This is a contradiction. >> This is a contradiction. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> How does somebody who doesn't believe in >> How does somebody who doesn't believe in >> How does somebody who doesn't believe in the supernatural the supernatural the supernatural account for the fact that something has account for the fact that something has account for the fact that something has happened which feels like a miracle? happened which feels like a miracle? happened which feels like a miracle? I mean, I certainly don't feel that some I mean, I certainly don't feel that some I mean, I certainly don't feel that some hand reached down from the skies and hand reached down from the skies and hand reached down from the skies and guarded me. But I do think something guarded me. But I do think something guarded me. But I do think something happened which wasn't supposed to happened which wasn't supposed to happened which wasn't supposed to happen. happen. happen. And I have no explanation for it. And I have no explanation for it. And I have no explanation for it. >> His attacker was a 24-year-old from New >> His attacker was a 24-year-old from New >> His attacker was a 24-year-old from New Jersey who lived in his mother's Jersey who lived in his mother's Jersey who lived in his mother's basement. He's believed to be a lone basement. He's believed to be a lone basement. He's believed to be a lone wolf. He's pleaded not guilty to wolf. He's pleaded not guilty to wolf. He's pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and is awaiting trial. attempted murder and is awaiting trial. attempted murder and is awaiting trial. In an interview, he told the New York In an interview, he told the New York In an interview, he told the New York Post he'd only read a couple pages of Post he'd only read a couple pages of Post he'd only read a couple pages of The Satanic Verses and seen some clips The Satanic Verses and seen some clips The Satanic Verses and seen some clips of Rushdie on YouTube. He said he didn't of Rushdie on YouTube. He said he didn't of Rushdie on YouTube. He said he didn't like him very much because Rushdie had like him very much because Rushdie had like him very much because Rushdie had attacked Islam. attacked Islam. attacked Islam. >> Does it matter to you what his motive >> Does it matter to you what his motive >> Does it matter to you what his motive was? was? was? >> I mean, it's interesting to me >> I mean, it's interesting to me >> I mean, it's interesting to me because it's a mystery. If I had written because it's a mystery. If I had written because it's a mystery. If I had written a character a character a character who knew so little about his proposed who knew so little about his proposed who knew so little about his proposed victim and yet was willing to commit the victim and yet was willing to commit the victim and yet was willing to commit the crime of murder, crime of murder, crime of murder, my publishers might well say to me that my publishers might well say to me that my publishers might well say to me that that's under motivated.

that's under motivated. that's under motivated. >> You need to develop that character >> You need to develop that character >> You need to develop that character better. better. better. >> enough of a reason. >> enough of a reason. >> enough of a reason. You know, not convincing. You know, not convincing. You know, not convincing. And but yet, that's what he did. And but yet, that's what he did. And but yet, that's what he did. >> The story will continue after this. >> Rushdie's Knife, his 22nd book, is one >> Rushdie's Knife, his 22nd book, is one he initially did not want to write. he initially did not want to write. he initially did not want to write. >> That was the last thing I wanted to do. >> That was the last thing I wanted to do. >> That was the last thing I wanted to do. >> Because you didn't want this to yet >> Because you didn't want this to yet >> Because you didn't want this to yet again define you. again define you. again define you. >> Yeah. It was very difficult for me after >> Yeah. It was very difficult for me after >> Yeah. It was very difficult for me after The Satanic Verses was published that The Satanic Verses was published that The Satanic Verses was published that the only thing anybody knew about me was the only thing anybody knew about me was the only thing anybody knew about me was this death threat. But this death threat. But this death threat. But it became clear to me that I couldn't it became clear to me that I couldn't it became clear to me that I couldn't write anything else. write anything else. write anything else. >> You had to write this first. >> You had to write this first. >> You had to write this first. >> write this first. I just thought, you >> write this first. I just thought, you >> write this first. I just thought, you know, I need to focus on know, I need to focus on know, I need to focus on you know, to use the cliché, the you know, to use the cliché, the you know, to use the cliché, the elephant in the room. And the moment I elephant in the room. And the moment I elephant in the room. And the moment I thought that thought that thought that kind of something changed in my head and kind of something changed in my head and kind of something changed in my head and it then became a book I really very much it then became a book I really very much it then became a book I really very much wanted to write. wanted to write. wanted to write. >> You say the language was my knife. If I >> You say the language was my knife. If I >> You say the language was my knife. If I had unexpectedly been caught in an had unexpectedly been caught in an had unexpectedly been caught in an unwanted knife fight, maybe this was the unwanted knife fight, maybe this was the unwanted knife fight, maybe this was the knife I could use to fight back, to take knife I could use to fight back, to take knife I could use to fight back, to take charge of what had happened to me, to charge of what had happened to me, to charge of what had happened to me, to own it, make it mine.

own it, make it mine. own it, make it mine. >> Yeah, I mean, language is a >> Yeah, I mean, language is a >> Yeah, I mean, language is a a way of a way of a way of breaking open the world. breaking open the world. breaking open the world. I don't have any other weapons, but I've I don't have any other weapons, but I've I don't have any other weapons, but I've been using this particular tool for been using this particular tool for been using this particular tool for quite a long time. So, I thought this quite a long time. So, I thought this quite a long time. So, I thought this was my way of dealing with it. was my way of dealing with it. was my way of dealing with it. >> It's been almost 2 years since the >> It's been almost 2 years since the >> It's been almost 2 years since the attack and Rushdie is back home now in attack and Rushdie is back home now in attack and Rushdie is back home now in New York, slowly getting used to New York, slowly getting used to New York, slowly getting used to navigating the world with one eye. navigating the world with one eye. navigating the world with one eye. >> How much time did it take to kind of >> How much time did it take to kind of >> How much time did it take to kind of readjust? readjust? readjust? >> I I'm still doing it. >> I I'm still doing it. >> I I'm still doing it. >> You still are? >> You still are? >> You still are? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Do you feel like you are a different >> Do you feel like you are a different >> Do you feel like you are a different person after the attack? person after the attack? person after the attack? >> I don't feel I'm very different, but I >> I don't feel I'm very different, but I >> I don't feel I'm very different, but I do feel that it has left a shadow. I do feel that it has left a shadow. I do feel that it has left a shadow. I think that shadow is just there, you think that shadow is just there, you think that shadow is just there, you know, and some days it's know, and some days it's know, and some days it's dark and some days it's not. dark and some days it's not. dark and some days it's not. >> Do you feel less than you were before? >> Do you feel less than you were before? >> Do you feel less than you were before? >> No, I just feel more the presence of >> No, I just feel more the presence of >> No, I just feel more the presence of death. death. death. >> In an interview almost 25 years ago, you >> In an interview almost 25 years ago, you >> In an interview almost 25 years ago, you said of of the fatwa, "I want to find an said of of the fatwa, "I want to find an said of of the fatwa, "I want to find an end to this story. It is the one story I end to this story. It is the one story I end to this story. It is the one story I must find an end to." Have you found must find an end to." Have you found must find an end to." Have you found that ending? And an ending to this story that ending? And an ending to this story that ending? And an ending to this story as well? as well? as well? >> Well, I thought I had and then it turned >> Well, I thought I had and then it turned >> Well, I thought I had and then it turned out I hadn't.

out I hadn't. out I hadn't. I'm hoping this is just a last twitch I'm hoping this is just a last twitch I'm hoping this is just a last twitch of that story. of that story. of that story. Um