NPR's Book of the Day In 'The Eleventh Hour,' Salman Rushdie writes about morality, revenge and ghosts
Nov 5, 2025
Salman Rushdie, the acclaimed author of Midnight's Children, discusses his new collection, The Eleventh Hour. He reflects on writing about mortality and how his near-fatal stabbing has changed his perspective. Rushdie shares insights into his unexpected ghost story that explores themes of unfinished business and revenge. He also touches on the power of music in storytelling and how his writing process has shifted from a structured approach to improvisation. Throughout, he examines personal and civilizational threats, urging a deeper understanding of legacy.
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Near-Death Recovery Shaped The Book
- Salman Rushdie recounts recovering surprisingly well after the 2022 stabbing that cost him an eye and use of one arm.
- He says the near-death experience focused his mind on mortality and influenced The Eleventh Hour.
Late Style: Serenity And Rage Can Coexist
- Rushdie cites Edward Said's On Late Style to frame responses to final acts as either serenity or rage.
- He argues people can embody both moods at different times, which shaped the book's varied approaches to death.
A Sentence That Turned Into A Ghost Story
- Rushdie describes how a ghost story unexpectedly began with the line, "when he woke up that morning, he was dead."
- He says the sentence surprised him and led him to write his first ghost story, 'Late.'
