Salman Rushdie Reflects on Attack and Recovery: “Crazy Dreams” and the Road Ahead

Sir Salman Rushdie, the acclaimed author of The Satanic Verses, has opened up about his recovery and reflections nearly a year after a brutal stabbing attack in New York. The 76-year-old writer, who was stabbed up to 10 times while preparing to give a lecture, revealed that he is physically "basically okay," despite losing vision in one eye and suffering a paralyzed hand due to nerve damage.

However, Rushdie admits that he is still processing the traumatic event and experiences "crazy dreams" as part of his ongoing recovery. "I have a great therapist who has a great deal of work to do," he said, highlighting the psychological challenges he continues to face.

Rushdie, who has long been a champion for freedom of expression, is also contemplating whether to attend the trial of his alleged attacker, Hadi Matar. Matar has been charged with attempted murder but pleaded not guilty, and Rushdie remains in "two minds" about facing him in court. "There’s one part of me that really wants to go and stand in the courtroom and look at him, and there’s another part of me that just can’t be bothered," he said. His focus now is on moving forward, writing again, and dealing with what he describes as the "elephant in the room"—the near-fatal attack that has reshaped his life.

The author is currently working on a new book that will delve into his experiences surrounding the attack. He notes that while it is not an easy book to write, it is necessary for him to process the trauma and move on to future projects. Rushdie's perspective on resilience is clear: “That’s the thing writers can do. They can outlive things that oppose them.” His determination to continue writing and advocating for freedom of expression remains unwavering. This is not the first time Rushdie has faced violent opposition; his 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses, sparked outrage in many Muslim-majority countries and led to a fatwa calling for his death by Iran’s then-leader Ayatollah Khomeini.

Reflecting on the current state of religious and political extremism, Rushdie warned of the dangers posed by the politicization of religion. "You’ve got to distinguish between people’s private faith, which is kind of none of our business, really, and the politicization of any religion," he remarked, emphasizing that when faith becomes weaponized, it becomes everyone’s concern. As a figure who has long navigated the perils of censorship and ideological backlash, Rushdie remains committed to speaking out against threats to free expression and the rights of individuals to voice dissenting opinions.

Despite the attack, Rushdie continues to make rare public appearances, receiving accolades for his lifetime of literary work. Earlier this year, he received the Centenary Courage Award from PEN America and an Outstanding Achievement award at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards in London. 

Though his appearances are now often under tight security, the author remains defiant in his commitment to literature and his beliefs. “Writers don’t have much power. We don’t have armies. What we have is the ability to write about the world, if we’re any good, that might endure,” he stated, reflecting on his journey and the challenges that still lie ahead.

Rushdie’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the perils that authors can face when their words challenge the status quo. But it also reinforces the importance of resilience and the power of storytelling in the face of adversity. As he continues his recovery and embarks on new literary projects, Salman Rushdie remains a beacon of courage and tenacity in the literary world.