Surviving an Attack: Salman Rushdie Shares His Insights on Radicalization, Violence and the Trauma of His Assassination Attempt

Salman Rushdie recounted the details of his assassination attempt during an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). In his new memoir titled “The Knife: Reflections after the Murder Attempt,” he shares how he had been anticipating the attack for over 33 years. Despite being stabbed and nearly losing his life, Rushdie remained conscious throughout the ordeal, with attendees at a cultural event in New York coming to his aid.

Rushdie reflects on his response during the assault, feeling both embarrassed and defensive about his actions. The attacker, whom Rushdie refers to as an “alif,” had been radicalized through online videos and had been planning the attack meticulously. In his memoirs, Rushdie expresses a lack of desire to defend himself or his provocative novel, emphasizing the surreal nature of experiencing violence firsthand. Despite the trauma of the attack, Rushdie provides insight into the psychology of both the attacker and himself, shedding light on the complexities of such a harrowing experience.