Stabbing and Succour: A Review of Knife by Salman Rushdie

"A gunshot is action at a distance, but a knife attack is a kind of intimacy; a knife is a close-up weapon, and the crimes it commits are intimate encounters" (p. 15).

In his recent book, aptly titled Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, Salman Rushdie examines the life-threatening attack he endured on August 12, 2022, reflecting on his life before and after the incident. Rushdie perceives the knife attack as an intimate encounter, a perspective he explores thoughtfully throughout the book. This approach transforms Knife into not just a gripping narrative of the attack, but also a deeply personal and emotional exploration.

Rushdie recounts everything that transpired before and after the attack with great detail, bringing the scene to life for readers. The vivid descriptions make it easy to visualize each movement as it occurred. He meticulously outlines how his attacker planned the attack and every action he took until he was subdued by those in the room. Rushdie's account of his immediate reaction to the assault is unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

The Fellowship of Family While the motif of the knife serves as a dominant trope throughout the text, Rushdie also writes about his relationships with his father, mother, sister, and sons, as well as his deep connection to India and the fatwa issued by Khomeini in response to The Satanic Verses. He describes his father as an "angry drunk" (p. 37) who made life difficult for the family, and he struggled to connect with him. Rushdie's father refused to attend his graduation ceremony and did not purchase tickets for his mother and sisters. He recalls, "...so I stood alone with my degree on the lawn at King’s College among happy family groups celebrating my fellow graduates" (p. 38). Rushdie's childhood was overshadowed by his father's anger, while his mother protected the children from his rage when he returned home drunk. Although Rushdie does not thoroughly explore his father's character, he contrasts it with his loving relationship with his sons. Despite the fatwa and threats to his life stemming from The Satanic Verses, which impacted his relationship with his children, their mutual love remained intact even as they lived apart.

The book also serves as a love story between Salman Rushdie and his wife, Eliza. He recounts how they met, fell in love, and how she stood by him during critical moments and throughout his recovery. He shares insights into his sons' reactions to the attack and the affection they expressed for him.

As Rushdie discusses his experiences as an outspoken public figure and the demonization he faces, readers gain insight into his life under constant security and death threats. This existence profoundly affects him and his relationships. However, the book scarcely mentions his previous wives without exploring their roles during the controversies surrounding The Satanic Verses. The impact of these events on the lives of those close to him is largely absent. While his marriages and divorces attracted media attention, this aspect of his life is not addressed in the book. It is the author's prerogative to choose what to include or omit, but the lack of insight into how these controversies affected those around him leaves out significant pieces of the overall picture.

On the Political  Rushdie discusses his literary friendships and the individuals who share a common understanding with him, emphasizing their collective activism. He articulates his worldview, particularly his stance on individual freedom, religious fundamentalism, and freedom of expression. From the fatwa issued against him to the attacks on the offices of Charlie Hebdo, Rushdie's positions have often provoked offense among religious adherents, especially within Islam. He frames his activism as a defense of freedom of expression.

The fatwa and the backlash against The Satanic Verses prompted him to become vocal about his beliefs regarding freedom of expression and religion, drawing significant public attention and making him a target for threats. In his interviews and writings, Rushdie has consistently maintained that freedom of expression includes the freedom to offend, asserting that any attempt to limit this freedom contradicts its very essence.

He expresses concerns about the war in Ukraine, labeling Putin a tyrant. He observes, "...America is sliding back towards the Middle Ages, as white supremacy exerts itself not only over black bodies but over women's bodies too. False narratives rooted in antiquated religiosity and bigoted ideas from hundreds of years ago are used to justify this and find willing audiences and believers" (p. 179-180). He views Christian evangelism and rising polarization as threats to American democracy.

When discussing India, the country he loves, he writes, "In India, religious sectarianism and political authoritarianism go hand in hand, and violence grows as democracy dies. Once again, false narratives of Indian history are in play, narratives that privilege the majority and oppress minorities; and these narratives, let it be said, are popular, just as the Russian tyrant's lies are believed" (p. 180). Rushdie expresses his concerns about the weaponization of religious polarization in India.

While he shares his views on Islamic fundamentalism, terrorism, and various other issues, he does not delve deeply into the formation of his worldview or the influences that have shaped his thinking. Rushdie also discusses the criticisms he has received from various liberals, intellectuals, and literary figures but does not provide enough context for readers to fully understand why they find his views objectionable.

Understanding the Attacker’s Intent  Rushdie deliberately chooses not to reveal the identity of his attacker, referring to him only as "A." In the sixth chapter of the book, titled "The A," Rushdie presents a series of hypothetical conversations between himself and his attacker, "A." In these dialogues, they argue and share their perspectives. Rushdie views the attacker as a brainwashed youth, an incel, and someone devoid of love. He posits that love has the potential to deter individuals from committing such gruesome acts of violence. Through these exchanges, Rushdie delves into "A"'s motivations, seeking to understand what led to his violent actions. However, he fails to explore his own thought process in depth. In his hypothetical conversations with "A," he assumes that the attacker is an ‘incel’ and lacks a fulfilling life. While these assumptions may hold some truth, they do not fully represent "A"'s influences. The views expressed by "A" during their exchanges largely reflect Rushdie’s own perspectives, positioning his opinions on higher ground.

The book is never tiresome or dull; on the contrary, it actively engages the reader. Throughout, one can sense the tension, trauma, and profound impact of the knife attack on Rushdie's life and psyche. His graphic personal account is both compelling and highly readable. The author also reflects on the things that brought him happiness, along with his fears and worries. He discusses his works, the characters he created, and his perspectives on them. Occasionally, he references movies and books to underscore his points or express his thoughts. However, a curious reader might desire deeper connections between his life experiences and how they shaped his worldview. While the author touches on his personal and literary relationships and recounts significant incidents, he doesn’t fully explore how these events inform his views on crucial issues like religious freedom and freedom of expression. This aspect feels particularly important in a memoir recounting such a pivotal life event. Nonetheless, despite these gaps, Rushdie's candid insights remain engaging and deserving of attention.