Knife – Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie

In the annals of literary history, there are few authors whose lives have become as inextricably intertwined with their work as Salman Rushdie. For over three decades, the specter of the fatwa issued against him has loomed large, a dark shadow cast over a brilliant career. But on August 12, 2022, that abstract threat materialized into cold, sharp steel on a sunny morning in Chautauqua, New York. “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder” is Salman Rushdie’s unflinching account of that day and its aftermath, a book that stands as both a testament to human resilience and a clarion call for the enduring importance of free expression.

The Attack: A Moment Frozen in Time

Salman Rushdie opens “Knife” with a gut-punch of an opening line: “At a quarter to eleven on August 12, 2022, on a sunny Friday morning in upstate New York, I was attacked and almost killed by a young man with a knife just after I came out on stage at the amphitheater in Chautauqua to talk about the importance of keeping writers safe from harm.” The irony is not lost on him, nor on us. What follows is a meticulous, almost surreal recounting of those twenty-seven seconds that changed everything.

The author’s prose here is characteristically vivid, yet there’s a raw, unvarnished quality to it that speaks to the trauma of the experience. He describes the attacker as “a squat missile,” the knife as an unseen force leaving a trail of devastation. Rushdie’s eye for detail, honed over decades of crafting fiction, serves him well in reconstructing a moment he’d surely rather forget.

The Aftermath: A Journey Through Pain and Healing

The bulk of “Knife” is devoted to Salman Rushdie’s long, arduous path to recovery. From the immediate aftermath in the trauma ward to the grueling physical therapy sessions, he spares no detail in describing the toll the attack took on his body. The loss of sight in one eye, the damaged hand, the psychological scars—all are laid bare with a frankness that is both admirable and, at times, difficult to read.

But it’s not all grim determination. Rushdie’s trademark wit shines through even in the darkest moments. His description of the hospital staff’s obsession with his bowel movements is both hilarious and humanizing. It’s a reminder that even in the face of unspeakable violence, humor can be a powerful tool for survival.

Love in the Time of Healing

One of the most touching aspects of “Knife” is Salman Rushdie’s portrayal of his relationship with his wife, Eliza. Her unwavering support and love become a beacon of hope throughout the narrative. Rushdie writes of her with a tenderness that is palpable, describing how she became his “unbreakable rock” during the most challenging days of his recovery.

This focus on love and connection extends beyond just Eliza. Rushdie writes movingly of the outpouring of support he received from friends, family, and strangers alike. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of human bonds in the face of adversity.

Meditations on Freedom and Art

True to form, Rushdie uses his personal ordeal as a springboard for deeper reflections on the nature of freedom, art, and the power of the written word. He grapples with questions that have defined much of his career: What is the role of the writer in society? How do we balance freedom of expression with respect for diverse beliefs? What is the cost of standing up for one’s convictions?

These “meditations” give “Knife” a depth that elevates it beyond mere memoir. Rushdie draws connections between his experience and those of other writers who have faced persecution, from Ovid to Mandelstam. In doing so, he places his own struggle within a broader historical context, reminding us that the fight for free expression is an ongoing one.

Style and Structure: A Master at Work

Stylistically, “Knife” showcases Salman Rushdie at the height of his powers. His prose is lean and muscular, stripped of some of the more florid tendencies of his earlier work. This directness serves the material well, allowing the raw emotion and clear-eyed analysis to take center stage.

The structure of the book is equally effective. Rushdie moves fluidly between the immediate aftermath of the attack, his long recovery, and broader reflections on his life and work. This non-linear approach mirrors the fractured nature of trauma and memory, creating a reading experience that feels both intimate and universal.

A Place in Rushdie’s Canon

“Knife” stands as a worthy addition to Salman Rushdie’s impressive body of work. It shares DNA with his earlier memoir, “Joseph Anton,” which chronicled his years living under the fatwa. But where “Joseph Anton” was sprawling and, at times, self-justifying, “Knife” is lean, focused, and introspective.

Readers familiar with Rushdie’s fiction will find echoes of his novels here. The blurring of reality and fantasy, the exploration of identity in the face of violence—these are themes that have defined much of his work. But “Knife” approaches them from a deeply personal angle, giving them a newfound urgency and poignancy.

Comparisons and Context

In the realm of literary memoirs dealing with trauma and survival, “Knife” invites comparisons to works like Joan Didion’s “The Year of Magical Thinking” or Paul Kalanithi’s “When Breath Becomes Air.” Like those books, Rushdie’s memoir grapples with mortality and the human capacity for resilience in the face of life-altering events.

However, the unique circumstances of Rushdie’s attack—rooted in decades of religious and political controversy—give “Knife” a broader societal relevance. In this sense, it shares common ground with books like Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s “Infidel” or Malala Yousafzai’s “I Am Malala,” works that use personal stories to illuminate larger issues of free speech and religious extremism.

Final Thoughts: A Triumph of the Human Spirit

“Knife” is not an easy read. The violence it describes is stomach-churning, the physical and emotional toll it recounts is heart-wrenching. But it is also, ultimately, a profoundly hopeful book. Rushdie’s resilience, his unwavering commitment to the power of literature, and his ability to find moments of joy and humor even in the darkest circumstances, are deeply inspiring.

This is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It’s a stark reminder of the very real dangers faced by those who dare to speak truth to power. But more than that, it’s a celebration of the indomitable human spirit and the transformative power of art.

Rushdie ends the book with a powerful declaration: “I have always believed that love is a force, that in its most potent form it can move mountains. It can change the world.” In “Knife,” he offers compelling evidence for that belief. It’s a testament not just to his own strength, but to the strength of the bonds that connect us all.