"Knife" by Salman Rushdie


 “Joseph Anton”, Rushdies’ documentary on his post Fatwa existence was a heavy read, quite different from his long fictional works that one is used to. The book written in 2012, over a decade after the writers’ move to the USA, seemed more like a closure of the traumatic Fatwa event. It is unlikely that Rushdie who lived a free life there, envisaged that the fatwa would be a danger ever. On August 12 2022, however, the fatwa very nearly succeeded when a US citizen of Lebanese parentage, 24 years old pounced on the author on a stage and (in Rushdies’ words) blotched an attempt at murder.

Rushdie states that he had no intention of writing about the event or its impact and it was only with the prodding of well-wishers and Agents that he decided to write about it. This is not a documentary and again in his own words is a “love letter to his wife” number 5, Rachel Eliza Griffiths.

The short work is fascinating in parts, when he discusses the role of miracles, his unwavering atheism in spite of the miracle, his determination to be active in his field. He refuses to name the attacker (Hadi Matar), simply referring to him as “A”. In a chapter which assures us that Rushdie has not lost the talent nor the desire to bring out brilliant literature, Salman sets out a make-believe dialogue with “A”. This is perhaps the best piece in the book. Elsewhere, he raises the pertinent point that whilst leaders like Biden, Johnson and Macron amongst others, expressed their strong disapproval of the attack, the Indian leader was conspicuous (to Rushdie at least) by his silence. He loves our country dearly (Mumbai especially) and his latest book released nearly simultaneously, has a South Indian setting.

His vanity shows in parts, and is excusable for a person of his stature. (Note: In a different context, a recent film in Hindi, Srikant, handles this aspect of vanity quite well). Some of the descriptions of the attack and the painful recovery are very queasy to read, and reveals the emotional strength of the author, no doubt helped by relatives and Eliza. It is sad that our government and its cultural watchdogs continue to ignore this phenomenal writer.       

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