Knife

Meditations After an Attempted Murder

By: Salman Rushdie

Narrated by: Salman Rushdie

Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, a searing, deeply personal account of enduring—and surviving—an attempt on his life thirty years after the fatwa that was ordered against him

On the morning of August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was standing onstage at the Chautauqua Institution, preparing to give a lecture on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm, when a man in black—black clothes, black mask—rushed down the aisle toward him, wielding a knife. His first thought: So it’s you. Here you are.

What followed was a horrific act of violence that shook the literary world and beyond. Now, for the first time, and in unforgettable detail, Rushdie relives the traumatic events of that day and its aftermath, as well as his journey toward physical recovery and the healing that was made possible by the love and support of his wife, Eliza, his family, his army of doctors and physical therapists, and his community of readers worldwide.

Knife is Rushdie at the peak of his powers, writing with urgency, with gravity, with unflinching honesty. It is also a deeply moving reminder of literature’s capacity to make sense of the unthinkable, an intimate and life-affirming meditation on life, loss, love, art—and finding the strength to stand up again.

©2024 Salman Rushdie (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Candid, plain-spoken and gripping . . . Knife is a clarifying book. It reminds us of the threats the free world faces. It reminds us of the things worth fighting for.”—The New York Times

“Knife isn’t so much about pondering imminent death than it is an affirmation—an insistence—on returning to life.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“The subject—the idea for which Rushdie nearly died—is the freedom to say what he wants . . . Rushdie survived, but he has too many scars to be certain that the idea will. This book is his way of fighting back.”—The Atlantic

A catharsis

An intimate recollection and analysis of a life altering horrendous attack. The painful and realistic unsentimental memory showes a unique personal view of the murdarous asalt. Bravo Mr. Rushdie.

How does one make impossible sense of an horrific and senseless attack???

Such a profound and personal accounting of a murderous attack…having the author read his own words gave them such a profound and private authenticity! Like you were hearing a recounting of the facts at a dinner…
So moving…story telling at its best from a master of the art.

Amazing, lyrical and horrifying

Wow! Although I have long been familiar with the story of Salman Rushdie - the fatwa, the glamorous life, I hadn’t read his writing. When he was savagely attacked in my home town, his story became personal. I listened, spellbound, to his recounting of that horrific experience, his survival, recovery, great love and beautiful reflections on life, politics, religion, freedom and fear with fascination and admiration. Thank you, Mr Rushdie for this amazing piece of work. Cannot wait to read more.

One of my all time best listens.

I loved the It is voice of the author
and he changes your worldview
about what happened to him.
He is fine, very intelligent and even
a fun loving person even after this
terrible attack. It is truly heartwarming.

In his own words

It was much more powerful that Rushdie narrated this chilling (& also deeply loving) account. As they say, the knife cuts both ways. It felt like being in an intimate space with an old friend, and hearing first hand- about the profound love in his life, and the deep loss.

Great narrative

Great narrative but with too much irrelevant and personal details derailing sometimes the story. I felt need to be older to enjoy it more!!

Knife

Salman Rusdie’s touching description of his near fatal attack, and subsequent recovery is inspiring for its courageous and loving approach to thriving after a catastrophic life event.

Triumph of Life

Reminds me of F Scott Fitzgerald’s saying, “Living well is the best revenge.” I’ve admired and enjoyed Salman Rushdie’s turn of phrase and excellent mind for many years, went to hear him speak once in NYC, and appreciate his humility. Now he comes to my rescue as I age and recover from a broken ankle, living with my own cancer. What a special person Mr Rushdie is. We share an appreciation of Martin Amis as I’ve just read Zone of Interest. Live long and well, Mr Rushdie!

The pain and chaos.

His intellect and heartfelt delivery. Thoughtful presentation of his pain and resilience throughout. Acceptance of what had happened.

Reflexions on Life

I was quite curious about the proposed narrative of a violent act perpetrated by a deranged man under an even more deranged influence - of a so-called “Supreme Leader”. And pleasantly surprised to hear about the elaboration he undertook, after these terrible facts, his reflections on values that civilization honors to this day: freedom, rule of law, friendship, generosity… The author deserves recognition not only for his major works - one of which will be a central piece in my library forever (Douglas Murray, thank you) - but additional honors for enduring it all and coming back to the stage, there is no better way to overcome his calvary.