Survival and Reflection on the Attack

Salman Rushdie vividly recounts the harrowing experience of being attacked on stage in 2022, where he was stabbed multiple times by a young man. Despite the brutal nature of the attack, which left him blind in one eye, Rushdie reflects on the emotions he felt during those moments, noting an overwhelming sense of loneliness rather than fear or pain. Fortunately, he creditably survived due to fortunate circumstances, including proximity to a trauma hospital and the fact that his attacker lacked the skill to deliver lethal blows. This somber reflection highlights both the physical and psychological scars left by the incident as he navigates life post-attack, revealing the depth of his trauma while expressing a sense of gratitude for still being alive.