Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie, acclaimed novelist known for Midnight's Children, shares insights from his new book, The Eleventh Hour, and his memoir, Knife. He reflects on his childhood in Bombay and the impact of family trauma on his writing. Rushdie discusses the toll of the 1989 fatwa and its effect on public perception, alongside the ongoing threats to free speech. Humor plays a crucial role in his recovery from the 2022 attack, and he emphasizes the lasting power of literature in the face of censorship.

Salman Rushdie discusses censorship, hate, Gaza, and Iran. He shares his experience with a near-fatal knife attack, revealing premonitions and political reflections. The hosts address election dynamics, political influences, and global event impacts, including Nigel Farage's focus on US politics.

Kazuo Ishiguro, a Nobel Prize-winning novelist famed for 'The Remains of the Day', shares insights on creativity and the importance of memory in storytelling. He candidly discusses his feelings of imposter syndrome and unique writing techniques. Meanwhile, Salman Rushdie, renowned for 'Midnight's Children', opens up about his recent assault and how it shaped his memoir 'Knife', reflecting on trauma and mortality. Together, their conversations illuminate the profound power of stories in navigating life's complexities.

Thirty-four years ago, the Ayatollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, issued a fatwa calling for the assassination of the novelist Salman Rushdie, whose book “The Satanic Verses” Khomeini declared blasphemous. It caused a worldwide uproar. Rushdie lived in hiding in London for a decade before moving to New York, where he began to let his guard down. “I had come to feel that it was a very long time ago and, and that the world moves on,” he tells David Remnick. “That’s what I had agreed with myself was the case. And then it wasn’t.” In August of last year, a man named Hadi Matar attacked Rushdie onstage before a public event, stabbing him about a dozen times. Rushdie barely survived. Now, in his first interview since the assassination attempt, Rushdie discusses the long shadow of the fatwa; his recovery from extensive injuries; and his writing. It was “just a piece of fortune, given what happened,” that Rushdie had finished work on a new novel, “Victory City,” weeks before the attack. The book is being published this week. “I’ve always thought that my books are more interesting than my life,” he remarks. “Unfortunately, the world appears to disagree.”  David Remnick’s Profile of Rushdie appears in the February 13th & 20th issue of The New Yorker.

Kim Ghattas, a journalist and author on Middle Eastern dynamics, teams up with Salman Rushdie, a controversial author known for his fight against censorship. They dive into the historical animosity between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran, sparked by the 1979 revolution. The discussion highlights how religious distortion fuels sectarian violence and cultural suppression. Rushdie’s experience with Iran's fatwa is linked to the rise of groups like Hezbollah and ISIS, illustrating the lasting impact of these geopolitical struggles.

Salman Rushdie, the award-winning novelist celebrated for his works like Midnight's Children, discusses his new short story collection, The Eleventh Hour, with journalist Kavita Puri. He shares insights on mortality and memory, emphasizing the impact of his diverse homes—India, England, and America. Rushdie reflects on the dangers of rising nationalism and censorship, highlighting the essential role of free speech and literature in society. He also reveals his writing journey, shifting from meticulous planning to spontaneous storytelling.

Esteemed author Salman Rushdie joins Jon Stewart to discuss his memoir 'Knife,' recounting his near-death experience and the fight for free expression. They also discuss the media's exaggerated coverage of Trump's trial, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

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High-profile wins for Democrats in New York, New Jersey and Virginia showed how important affordability is to voters. The New York Times' David Leonhardt tells us more. Then, Salman Rushdie talks about his book "The Eleventh Hour," a quintet of stories set in India, America, and England. It's his first fiction he has published since he suffered a knife attack in 2022. And, the team at the New England Aquarium in Boston has created a “geriatric island” for their elderly penguin residents. Eric Fox, associate curator of penguins at the aquarium, discusses the benefits of the special retreat.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Salman Rushdie, a renowned novelist and essayist, shares insights from his new short-story collection, The 11th Hour. He reflects on mortality and the transformative power of language after surviving a life-threatening attack. Rushdie discusses the challenge of placing personal stories against historical backdrops and explores intergenerational friendships. He also addresses the tension between freedom and communal goodness, the impact of religious nationalism, and the art of crafting diverse characters. His journey embodies resilience and the quest for deeper understanding in turbulent times.