Salman Rushdie details his attack, his memoir "Knife" and finding love later in life | NPR

Salman Rushdie is a writer. A storyteller.
So when you ask him to tell the story of the day, in 2022, when he was attacked and nearly killed by a young man with a knife, Rushdie paints a vivid picture.
He describes lying on the floor in a pool of his own blood, overwhelmed with a singular emotion. It wasn't fear, it wasn't pain. It was extreme loneliness.
"I thought, here I am in the middle of upstate New York, almost in Canada, very far from everyone I love. You know, dying as I thought. I thought I was dying. Dying in the company of strangers. And that felt ... worse than the dying," he said.
Rushdie writes about the attack in his memoir, "Knife." He sat down with All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly in NPR's New York bureau recently to talk about what happened that day, his reflections on the fatwa calling for his death decades ago, and finding great love later in life.
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[@Miloo-qj7sc]

Salman Rushdie, I'm a girl from Iraq live in Sweden. Thank you for fighting the right of free speech. It makes me so sad and angry for what happened to you!!! You are a brave man and real heroes are those who risk their lives to save lives!

[@clarkbruce_swe91]

Hi! I'm also from Sweden, Umeå to be exact. An ex-convert. I left right after the attack, although I was about to leave Islam anyway.

[@anonymoussoul3343]

@@clarkbruce_swe91 you should write about your conversion journey, and why did you left it.

[@manazon6945]

you should also write about your experiences. WRITE. WRITE. WRITE. that is the only way we can defeat extrmism

[@clarkbruce_swe91]

@@manazon6945 that's exactly what I've been doing before and since I left, on FB & IG.

[@Tilahun-ep7nv]

It's great to see people like you supporting Salman Rushdie. Well done Miloo

[@Implicit_Truth]

One of the bravest writers I'm aware of.

[@minimo5281]

He should need to be brave This is just shows the rot in society so that it takes bravery to write a book

[@Alhilohe6336]

Muhammed is a warriors with sword not a peace maker. Somes follow his footstep...

[@BigDome1]

An absolute legend and a hero. So glad to see him again.

[@williamgregory1848]

His attacker was a 24 year-old man living in his mother's basement with no job, no education, no personal ambitions, no motivation, and no aspirations. His only identity was his religion and here was Salman Rushdie, an atheist, a brilliant author, highly educated, highly successful, who had everything. What would be the simplest and easiest way to get instant fame and notoriety, and approval from the fanatics in his religion? By killing the man that they hated and who he was jealous of. It was as simple as that. "The religious crazies that I idolize hate him and so to win their approval, I must throw away my life and kill him." Brilliant self-analysis, guy. That's as far as his dumbass thinking went. I feel sorry for his family; but I hope he spends the rest of his life in prison.

[@Abcd-jz4gp]

Well..........now he has time to read the book that he's likely never read! Higher powers work in mysterious ways, don't they?

[@himanshusingh0876]

Long live salman rushdie no religion is above criticism... specially madarsachhap peaceful people.

[@freedahlogic8368]

Interesting word.

[@rosalindchu7588]

He‘s a hero, a strong character, a man of wisdom and he’s certainly inspiring to many of his readers.

[@algalgod159]

In a very ironical but twisted and yet deep way, surviving this attack was - ultimately - the real win over the fatwa, more than just failed assassinations.

[@Mostlymattie]

I’ve walked down that street in Pittsburgh and I became overwhelmed with a sense of safety and pride that such a small street could be inhabited by such brilliant minds and that they’d receive the refuge needed for artistic literary expression.

[@jazchappell4804]

I remember the deep sense of sadness when he was attacked and so delighted when I heard he was going to live. Wonderful to hear his recollections of the experience.

[@PaliAha808]

When will be bold enough to educate ourselves and children that any religion may be a lie?

[@angeladibble]

Well said.

[@flysolo100]

Haven’t “we” been doing that for at least 100 years? Even this man’s family in the U.S., those who raised him that is, are fairly secular. He himself chose as an adult to radicalize when he visited his father in Lebanon.

[@Sirius263]

"The enlightened are not bound by religion." IBN ARABI I look forward to reading, "KNIFE". I believe Mr. Rushdie took the imperative steps to reclaim his power, by wielding his own illuminated weapon!

[@GhostWriter11181]

Hero ❤ This book on Audible with Salman narrating is outstanding

[@alexisarouge]

Is it a good one to be the first?

[@magnacz]

The people that organized his visit are irresponsible to not have any security arrangement preventing anybody with a weapon having access. Regardless of who goes and visits.

[@calliopelove]

Very inspiring strength, peace to you Salman!

[@magnamarianneczagany8970]

Taking part in self defense exercises is for getting a muscle memory of how to defend yourself at any age. Glad you made it and found a loving woman to stand by you. Looking forward to reading and hearing from you....

[@princeardalan]

❤ We love you Sir Salman Rushdie.

[@12440jayjay]

Salman Rushdie...a spirit invincible!🙏

[@lydiarowe491]

To get a follow up on Salman Rushdie’s life was encouraging to know he has overcome the attack on his life..and is getting on with living as he reminded us as being bonus..thank goodness ..go well..❤

[@micheleinacharles-hazellem1968]

This is a brilliant interview

[@kristine8338]

“Je m’excuse monsieur, je ne sais pas“ tells you a lot.

[@grahamfox4279]

What a great interview.

[@shekoofehalaie878]

Thank you for fighting for freedom!

[@sarwaazeez1369]

Brave, creative and inspiring. So proud of you Mr Rushdie ❤

[@EM-mw2qr]

Thank goodness he kept his other eye.

[@avis1983]

Salman is the biggest bearer of Free speech in the world. I wish to meet him someday.

[@DI3BS]

Great interviewer Mary Louise Kelly reminds me of Robert Siegel, question 💯

[@bongfish1369]

I'm a huge admirer of Salman. His courage against religious bigotery is exemplary ..... The religious mad will always lose. They are losing everywhere. Only problem is - they don't realise.

[@PortalEMCioranBrasil]

My idol 🙇‍♂

[@puddles5501]

interesting stuff

[@maruzik]

There are men who struggle for a day and they are good. There are men who struggle for a year and they are better. There are men who struggle many years, and they are better still. But there are those who struggle all their lives: These are the indispensable ones. Bertolt Brecht

[@danalan52]

I know that Mary Louise Kelly is brilliant. I didn't know that she is beautiful.

[@moirasherman9568]

On the topic of reading his books, quite the opposite- he’s so charming and engaging, I am actually more inclined to read his works of fiction as a result of this occurrence. Victory City next for me!

[@MrGaborseres]

👍

[@matsudaseiko]

MY HERO ! ✊✊✊

[@MrTravelWriter]

I feel NPR may have tapped the interviewer at the last minute.

[@user-pz8db3oh9y]

He was in western N.Y. not really central N.Y.

[@philbarone4603]

NPR is honest journalism. Bravo!

[@deadname...]

I love sarcasm 👍

[@PaulLorenzini-ny2yw]

defund them now

[@kitbram2033]

In 1984 vernacular, yes, honest. haha

[@philbarone4603]

@@kitbram2033 they don’t get paid off by advertisers so that’s a plus.

[@danielnelson3136]

I'm confused, what happened beforehand for such a severe attack to have occurred here? Why did it happen, and what did the author do to deserve such an attack in the first place????

[@maxragno9881]

I’ve been a fan of his ever since I first read The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

[@Horace9C]

Reminds me of the seinfeld george winking 😉 episode

[@matthewfisher-sp5fq]

I think that salmon should have had security minders all the time after the fatwar was issued you know security minders for the rest of his life

[@user-zz1ib1gj3l]

❤️‍🩹

[@optimal8155]

Let’s hear what Uri Berliner has to say…

[@shahidraza314]

Well plyed salman

[@marieclark3119]

Yes - Perfect budget cut.... No dollars for NPR, PBS, or anything funded by the government

[@bintube5269]

Is this the guy going for the record of how many interviews one man can give in a week?

[@mourlyvold64]

Any problem with that?

[@omarchaudry]

What a dumb first question.

[@MrRohufish]

I know right- he needs no introduction.

[@tolbydamit]

Who knew Mary Louise Kelly was a silver fox.

[@klarakrok]

Wonder Lamp

[@Zeus11223]

Please take this peace loving man to peace loving nation Israel to get more praise rewards and appreciation

[@strongestblackwoman6591]

#NPRHATESAMERICANRIGHTS #BoycottNpr

[@Longleke.]

I had no idea Mary Louise Kelly was hot 🤯

[@yoya4766]

After writing a million words, living under a fatwa and the attempted murder, at 75 he finally realises love is all you need. Something the Beatles knew at 20. So I wonder if he thinks all those books especially the Satanic Verses was worth it.

[@JA-oi4vj]

Sal will come out and do anything to promote his book(s). Lol, a dozen interviews in the last month atleast.

[@mourlyvold64]

Any problem with that?

[@klarakrok]

Alladim and winder Lamp

[@SamONeal-cj6jk]

DEFUND NPR IMMEDIATELY!!!

[@RickChristman-iy4tc]

NPR boycott has started 🎉

[@sue.F]

As much as Salman continues to deny this, there was something supernatural about this - he had a presentimental dream.

[@wilhelmbeck8498]

Religions and/or atheist-ideas are not needed for anyone to have spiritual experiences and extra-sensory-perceptions. ( 🙃🙂😉

[@sue.F]

@@wilhelmbeck8498 if ESP isn’t supernatural, then what is?

[@yourforbiddenfruit]

I can’t imagine having the gall to make such a disrespectful presumptuous comment about Salman’s experiences given the context of this video. You’re as bad as the religious people who claim god intervened. Salman isn’t the one in denial here. Try, just try to respect the frank recollections of his own experience rather than putting your beliefs upon them.

[@sue.F]

@@yourforbiddenfruit you are conflating religiosity with supernatural. The only thing disrespectful in my comment was your misinterpretation.

[@yourforbiddenfruit]

@@sue.F I didn’t misinterpret you. Religion and belief in the supernatural are different. It doesn’t make it any less arrogant.

[@alexshelby4195]

The best thing that can happen to a bad writer is have some religious leader highlight the extraordinary bad work and make it famous. I often wonder if this was all by design.

[@mourlyvold64]

"The best thing" ? Hardly. Tell us, how would you yourself deal with a fatwah on your head?

[@endpc5166]

Why couldn't she ask him about the ideology that encouraged this attack. But that would be talking about Islam, & it seems that in the cowardly media is a no no.

[@patriciatoomingtheplantpar2558]

This interview is going so slow and dragging on painfully i had to give up at 4:06

[@Tahoza]

Your opinion is your opinion and I'm not trying to contest that, but why take the time to leave this comment instead of just watching something else? Are you trying to dissuade others from watching it?

[@deadname...]

*MAGA 24*

[@real.evidence]

MAGA = McDonald’s and Golf Again.

[@PaulLorenzini-ny2yw]

DEFUND NPR NOW

[@MrRamazanLale2]

Staged bullsh*t 😂

[@Theothersideofthescreen]

NPR: National Propaganda Radio

[@charlotteboisson1853]

This presenter is a disaster ... one banality after another...

[@gervasedebrumer7832]

she's not just a disaster, she is also a complete fraud as a journalist, absolute dishonor of the profession. In fact she was one of the most hardcore russiagaters who relentlessly lied to her own audience and never came clean about it.

[@richardc9634]

came to down vote NPR CEO, defund this propaganda outlet

[@thorspinky]

RIP npr

[@DropYoutube]

NPR this the truth gets in the way.

[@Vaginaninja]

This woman has chosen such an incredibly weird way to speak