Renowned author Salman Rushdie’s response to the brutality inflicted upon him takes the form of artistry, as his memoir recounting the harrowing knife assault he endured in 2022 is slated for release on April 16, as announced by Penguin Random House India on Thursday. Entitled “Knife: Reflections Following an Assassination Attempt,” Rushdie meticulously revisits the haunting events of August 12, 2022, at the Chautauqua Institution, where he was assaulted by an individual concealed behind a somber mask, brandishing a blade. The vicious onslaught resulted in Rushdie losing vision in his right eye.

Within the pages of this forthcoming publication, the 76-year-old author delves into the aftermath of the assault, chronicling his arduous journey toward physical recuperation and emotional convalescence. “The genesis of this tome was imperative to me: a means to wrest control over the ordeal, and to counter violence with the transformative power of artistic expression,” remarked Rushdie. Spanning 256 pages, the memoir stands as “an achingly poignant testament to literature’s ability to fathom the unfathomable, a personal and life-affirming contemplation on existence, bereavement, affection, creative expression—and the resilience to persevere.”

Following the 1989 fatwa issued by Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which called for Rushdie’s execution over purported blasphemy within his novel “The Satanic Verses,” the author endured a period of seclusion and constant surveillance. However, in the years that ensued, he gradually resumed a semblance of normalcy, until the fateful stabbing at the Chautauqua Institution.

Salman Rushdie’s latest work, “Knife,” is deemed a profound narrative concerning our contemporary milieu and the role of literature within it—a literary offering that demands attention, according to Milee Ashwarya, publisher at Penguin Random House India. His illustrious repertoire includes the Booker Prize-winning “Midnight’s Children,” alongside “Shame” and “The Moor’s Last Sigh.” Moreover, Rushdie stands as a staunch advocate for unrestricted expression and previously served as president of PEN America. Additionally, he penned a memoir titled “Joseph Anton,” narrated in the third person, chronicling his years spent in hiding post-fatwa.

“‘Knife’ serves as a scorching testament, underscoring the potency of language in comprehending the incomprehensible. We are privileged to present this literary offering and marvel at Salman’s unwavering resolve to narrate his tale and return to his craft,” remarked Nihar Malaviya, CEO of Penguin Random House.