Will Pavia, New York correspondent for The Times, and Robbie Millen, literary editor at The Times, dive into the chilling ramifications of the trial surrounding Salman Rushdie's brutal attack. They discuss the chaos of the incident and its impact on Rushdie's literary journey, revealing the ongoing threats to freedom of expression. The conversation also touches on the trial's implications for modern publishing and the voices rising against authoritarianism in literature. This critical dialogue examines how such events reshape our understanding of free speech today.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Rushdie's Testimony
Salman Rushdie testified in court, calmly describing the attack and his injuries.
He showed the jury his scars and spoke about the lasting impact on his vision and speech.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Rushdie's Early Life and Career
Salman Rushdie, born in India, attended Rugby and Cambridge, and worked in advertising before writing novels.
His early work, like the slogan "Naughty but Nice," foreshadowed his literary influence.
insights INSIGHT
The Satanic Verses Controversy
The Satanic Verses sparked controversy for its portrayal of Islamic figures, leading to a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death.
The controversy highlighted cultural and religious sensitivities surrounding freedom of expression.
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In 'Joseph Anton: A Memoir', Salman Rushdie recounts his life under the pseudonym Joseph Anton, a name derived from his favorite writers Joseph Conrad and Anton Chekhov. The memoir describes his period in hiding due to the fatwa issued after the publication of 'The Satanic Verses', detailing the grim and sometimes comic realities of living with armed police protection, his relationships, and his fight for freedom of speech. Written in the third person, the book provides an intimate and explosive account of Rushdie's personal and public struggles during this period.
Knife
Meditations After an Attempted Murder
Salman Rushdie
In 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder', Salman Rushdie provides a gripping and detailed account of the traumatic events following the knife attack on him in August 2022. The book is a meditation on his survival, the metaphysical implications of his experience, and the purpose of writing. Rushdie describes the horrific wounds he suffered, including the loss of his right eye, and reflects on the miraculous nature of his survival. The memoir is characterized by its lack of self-pity, despite the immense pain and struggle Rushdie faced during his recovery. It also touches on themes of art, pain, love, and the ongoing battle for free speech[2][4][5].
Satanic Verses
Salman Rushdie
The novel follows the lives of two Indian Muslims, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, who survive a plane hijacking and subsequent explosion. As they fall from the plane, they are transformed into angelic and satanic figures. The story delves into various themes, including the founding of Islam through the character Mahound, the story of a visionary girl named Ayesha, and the struggles of identity and faith. The book is known for its complex, multilayered plot and its use of dreams within dreams, which generated significant controversy due to its satirical and imaginative treatment of Islamic themes.
Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie
The novel tells the story of Saleem Sinai, who is born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the moment of India's independence from British rule. Saleem's life is intricately linked with the history of India, and he possesses telepathic powers that allow him to communicate with other 'midnight children' born between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on that date. Each of these children has unique magical powers, and Saleem acts as a conduit to connect them. The story spans various historical events in India, including the partition, wars, and the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi. It explores themes of identity, history, and the fragmented nature of a newly independent nation[1][3][4].
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
The British-Indian novelist Sir Salman Rushdie has faced his alleged attacker in court, after he was stabbed multiple times in 2022 during a public lecture in New York state. Hadi Matar, accused of assault and attempted murder, denies the charges. The author is no stranger to threats: in 1989, Iran's Supreme Leader called for his death, after deeming his novel The Satanic Verses blasphemous. Will this attack on Rushdie, a symbol of free speech himself, threaten freedom of expression?
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory
Guests:
Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.
Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.
The Story 
