The book “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder” is as much an account of a terrible event as it is a testament to those who will weigh the significance of violence in the past, present, and future. “Knife” is a courageous act of defiance in the face of hate, intolerance and a love song. One would also wish this piece of work was also a requiem for hatred.
Salman Rushdie’s Knife Is Language
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In 1988, Indian-born British author Salman Rushdie published “The Satanic Verses,” a work of fiction that falls into the category of “magical realism.” Yet, some in the Islamic world regarded the book as disrespectful to the prophet Muhammad, which led to its condemnation. So much so that in February 1989, the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa, which is an edict in Islamic law, ordering the execution of Rushdie and those involved in the publication of the book.
After this action by Ayatollah Khomeini, a bounty was set on Rushdie’s head, which caused the end of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a result, Rushdie had to go into hiding for many years, during which he was under police protection.
Even though in 1998 Mohammad Khatami, Iran´s leader at the time, committed in public to not supporting assassination attempts on Rushdie, subsequent Iranian leaders have reaffirmed the original fatwa.
The Angel of Death May Be a Time Traveler
“Knife” painstakingly narrates in great detail how strangers helped stop and restrain the assailant. Shortly after this, he was airlifted to UPMC Hamot, a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, while in critical condition.
Rushdie’s life was spared thanks to an army of doctors and healthcare specialists. In the book, he fondly writes about them as Dr. Pain, Dr. Eye, Dr. Hand, and so on. Most prominently, he describes the crucial role played by his current wife, the poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths, in his long and complicated physical and mental recovery.
A Very Fine and Fearless Book
There are many, many remarkable passages in “Knife.”. From musings about art, love, and society to hatred, despicable crimes, horror, and much more. One such passage in “Knife” is a series of imaginary encounters between Rushdie and his attacker.
These dialogues are a fairly rich philosophical thought experiment dealing with religion, identity, faith, and the lack thereof. Others are about real events, such as family and friend reunions and the innumerable displays of appreciation by members of the writing community and the general public at large.
This Is for the Faithful and Godless Alike
Even though the subject matter of “Knife” is a loaded one, this is an incredibly fluid read. Not only because of the gifts of Rushdie as a great writer but also because of the humor and lightheartedness of several passages sprinkled throughout the book. Also, witty observations abound, as do more profound questions like “When you were given a second opportunity, what do you do with it?” Which seems to contradict F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “There are no second acts in American lives.”
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