Knife

Meditations After an Attempted Murder

By: Salman Rushdie

Narrated by: Salman Rushdie

Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, a searing, deeply personal account of enduring—and surviving—an attempt on his life thirty years after the fatwa that was ordered against him

On the morning of August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie was standing onstage at the Chautauqua Institution, preparing to give a lecture on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm, when a man in black—black clothes, black mask—rushed down the aisle toward him, wielding a knife. His first thought: So it’s you. Here you are.

What followed was a horrific act of violence that shook the literary world and beyond. Now, for the first time, and in unforgettable detail, Rushdie relives the traumatic events of that day and its aftermath, as well as his journey toward physical recovery and the healing that was made possible by the love and support of his wife, Eliza, his family, his army of doctors and physical therapists, and his community of readers worldwide.

Knife is Rushdie at the peak of his powers, writing with urgency, with gravity, with unflinching honesty. It is also a deeply moving reminder of literature’s capacity to make sense of the unthinkable, an intimate and life-affirming meditation on life, loss, love, art—and finding the strength to stand up again.

©2024 Salman Rushdie (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Candid, plain-spoken and gripping . . . Knife is a clarifying book. It reminds us of the threats the free world faces. It reminds us of the things worth fighting for.”—The New York Times

“Knife isn’t so much about pondering imminent death than it is an affirmation—an insistence—on returning to life.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“The subject—the idea for which Rushdie nearly died—is the freedom to say what he wants . . . Rushdie survived, but he has too many scars to be certain that the idea will. This book is his way of fighting back.”—The Atlantic

Rushdie's will to live

I experienced a gamut of emotions that none of the conflicting newsflashes at the time of the attack managed to illicit, aside from shock and horror.
Rushdie's honesty in the telling of his ordeal, the pain he endured during treatment , the love and support of his wife and family, even his imagined conversations with his assailant, had me sometimes weeping, sometimes raging. and yes, even sometimes laughing . I just finished listening, so still in the throes of the narrative; it is brilliant.

An Unexpectedly Beautiful Book

I learned a great deal about Salman Rushdie from this book. Most importantly, I learned that nearly everything I've known about him since 1989 wasn't true. That this book needed to be written is horrific; that it was is a gift. I'm grateful for the lessons learned from it and the author and his family's generosity in sharing the story.

Beautiful writing and story

He's amazing. I love this book and his other books. I also loved the narration.

Triumph of Life

Reminds me of F Scott Fitzgerald’s saying, “Living well is the best revenge.” I’ve admired and enjoyed Salman Rushdie’s turn of phrase and excellent mind for many years, went to hear him speak once in NYC, and appreciate his humility. Now he comes to my rescue as I age and recover from a broken ankle, living with my own cancer. What a special person Mr Rushdie is. We share an appreciation of Martin Amis as I’ve just read Zone of Interest. Live long and well, Mr Rushdie!

A beautiful love story

First Rushdie book I have listened to. Enjoyed it so much! Looking forward to exploring more of his works.

Reflexions on Life

I was quite curious about the proposed narrative of a violent act perpetrated by a deranged man under an even more deranged influence - of a so-called “Supreme Leader”. And pleasantly surprised to hear about the elaboration he undertook, after these terrible facts, his reflections on values that civilization honors to this day: freedom, rule of law, friendship, generosity… The author deserves recognition not only for his major works - one of which will be a central piece in my library forever (Douglas Murray, thank you) - but additional honors for enduring it all and coming back to the stage, there is no better way to overcome his calvary.

First Exposure

This was my first exposure to Salman Rushdie’s work, and I was struck by the author’s intelligence and memory for detail, as well as his intelligence.

Rushdie is a treasure

I’ve loved his books all my life, but Knife offered a wonderfully intimate and unique glimpse into his mind in and around the terrifying attack. It’s above all else a love story, and he is unflinching unapologetic about that. This brazenness - given his age and the number of marriages in his wake - was so refreshing it cracked open my calcified heart ever so slightly. Is that uncomfortable feeling I’m having hope? Rushdie is a magician!

Powerful Writing

Reminiscent of Capote’s “In Cold Blood”. It encompasses all realms of human emotion from a powerful first person narrative.

Odd title for a love story

An engrossing look into the inner workings of the mind of this brilliant author. But, still an odd title for a love story.