Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie, the acclaimed novelist behind Midnight's Children and The Satanic Verses, shares insights from his new book The Eleventh Hour. He reflects on mortality following his life-altering attack in 2022 and how it reshaped his outlook. Rushdie critiques rising political violence, the BBC's censorship, and the state of free speech in America. He discusses societal fractures, Brexit's impact, and the troubling rise of authoritarianism. Despite challenges, he emphasizes the enduring power of literature and confirms his commitment to continue writing fiction.

In this engaging conversation, Sir Salman Rushdie, an acclaimed novelist and a passionate advocate for free expression, discusses his latest work, The Eleventh Hour, after surviving a harrowing attack. He explores the role of fiction in uncovering truths against a backdrop of lies and censorship. Rushdie shares insights on the impact of book bans, the challenges he faced in reclaiming his narrative, and the themes of mortality and farewell in his new novellas. He also reflects on the power of literature to counter disinformation and the challenges posed by AI.

In this engaging discussion, acclaimed novelist Salman Rushdie shares his admiration for Italo Calvino, noting their influential connection. He recounts his early encounters with Calvino's work and highlights how it shaped his own writing. Rushdie reads Calvino's story "Love Far From Home," engaging in a thought-provoking debate about its themes of love and solipsism. The talk delves into Calvino's unique blend of symbolism and humor, his impact on postwar Italian realism, and the tenderness underlying his narratives. Rushdie's insights reveal Calvino's lasting legacy and evolving influence.