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Rushdie: "The last thing my right eye would ever see"
| USA | general

Rushdie: "The last thing my right eye would ever see"

#Salman Rushdie #Chautauqua #The Satanic Verses #Assassination attempt #Free speech #Knife memoir #Literary festival

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Salman Rushdie lost vision in his right eye following the 2022 knife attack in New York.
  • The attack occurred while he was on stage to discuss the importance of safety for writers.
  • Rushdie describes the attacker as a 'squat missile' and a figure of long-awaited doom.
  • His new memoir explores the trauma of the event and his commitment to the freedom of expression.

📖 Full Retelling

Renowned author Salman Rushdie provided a harrowing firsthand account of the 2022 assassination attempt against him during a televised interview and in his memoir, detailing the chilling moments at a literary festival in Chautauqua, New York, where he was attacked by a knife-wielding assailant. The incident occurred on August 12, 2022, as Rushdie was preparing to deliver a lecture on the United States as a safe haven for exiled writers, a topic that became tragically ironic following the life-altering assault. This rare public reflection serves to contextualize the violence he suffered decades after the Iranian fatwa was first issued against him for his novel, 'The Satanic Verses.' During his retelling, Rushdie reflected on the specific visual memory of his attacker—a man in black clothes wearing a black mask—rushing toward him like a 'squat missile.' He described the moment as a realization that his long-standing fears regarding his personal safety were finally manifesting in reality. The author suffered multiple stab wounds to his neck and torso, which resulted in the permanent loss of vision in his right eye and significant nerve damage to his hand. He noted that the last thing his right eye would ever see was the sight of his attacker coming at him with a blade. Despite the severity of his injuries and the prolonged recovery process that followed, Rushdie has used the experience to champion the cause of free speech more vigorously than ever. His latest work, 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,' serves as both a therapeutic exercise and a defiant response to religious extremism. By detailing the physical and emotional scars left by the event, Rushdie highlights the ongoing dangers faced by intellectuals and writers who challenge orthodoxies, while also celebrating the medical teams and supporters who helped him survive against the odds.

🐦 Character Reactions (Tweets)

Witty Writer

Salman Rushdie just turned a horror story into a bestseller. Is there a literary version of calling dibs on a plot twist? #KnifeTwists

Cynical Observer

Turns out being a writer isn’t just about getting lost in fiction; sometimes it’s dodging real-life horror. Who knew? #PlotThickens

Sharp Wit

Rushdie’s new memoir: 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.' Finally, a book that really cuts to the core! #LiteraryWeapons

Historical Jester

Literary festival to discuss safety for exiled writers turns into a real-life horror show. Just what every author wants—more drama! #TheIrony

💬 Character Dialogue

malenia: Ah, the irony of pen meets blade; for every word meant to unfurl wings, some seek only to sever them.
vader: In the shadows of darkness, the thin line between art and violence blurs; a tragedy dictated by the whims of fate.
malenia: Yet, like the finest blooms rising from decay, Rushdie's resolve strengthens; every scar tells a tale of defiance.
vader: Indeed, it is the mark of true struggle; when the Force of oppression strikes, the spirit must elevate to conquer.
malenia: And so, we hold onto our words fiercely, for they are the eternal blades that cut through the gnarled roots of ignorance.

🏷️ Themes

Free Speech, Human Rights, Literature

📚 Related People & Topics

Freedom of speech

Freedom of speech

Right to communicate one's opinions and ideas

Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The right to freedom of expression has been recognised as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human ...

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Chautauqua

Chautauqua

US adult education and social movement

Chautauqua ( shə-TAW-kwə) is an adult education and social movement in the United States that peaked in popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural United States until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture...

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The Satanic Verses

1988 novel by Salman Rushdie

The Satanic Verses is the fourth novel from the Indian-British writer Salman Rushdie. First published in September 1988, the book was inspired by the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. As with his previous books, Rushdie used magical realism and relied on contemporary events and people to create ...

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Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie

Indian-British-American novelist (born 1947)

Sir Ahmed Salman Rushdie (born 19 June 1947) is an Indian-born British and American novelist. His work often combines magical realism with historical fiction and primarily deals with connections, disruptions, and migrations between Eastern and Western civilizations, typically set on the Indian subco...

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List of people who survived assassination attempts

This is a list of survivors of assassination attempts. For successful assassination attempts, see List of assassinations.

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🔗 Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Freedom of speech:

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📄 Original Source Content
Salman Rushdie describes what he saw in the moments before he was attacked at a literary festival in Chautauqua, New York.

Original source

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