Salman Rushdie: ‘mi6 Stopped at Least Half a Dozen Attempts to Kill Me’

Salman Rushdie: A Life Defined by Literature and Controversy

British writer Salman Rushdie has returned to the spotlight with his latest book, The Eleventh Hour, a collection of five stories that showcase his wit and experimentation. This work marks a significant milestone in the life of an author whose career has been marked by both acclaim and controversy.

A Personal Account of Survival and Artistic Resilience

Rushdie’s journey is not just one of literary achievement but also a tale of survival. On August 12, 2022, he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in New York City. The attack left him with severe injuries, including the loss of his right eye due to a knife wound that severed the optical nerve.

This harrowing experience has shaped much of his recent work and reflections.

Reflecting on this event, Rushdie describes how close he came to death: “So that’s how close it was, that actually my heart had stopped beating. That’s as close as you can get without crossing the frontier.” His resilience is evident in his determination to continue writing, as evidenced by his 23rd book, which he believes is a return to his gift.

The Writing Process: A Daily Ritual

Discussing his creative process, Rushdie emphasizes the discipline required to produce high-quality work. He writes every day, treating it like a job with a fixed routine: “I wake up in the morning, I have a cup of coffee, I go to work. And I write much less in a day than I used to. If I can get a page, I’m very pleased.” This dedication is reflected in his current project, where he aims for modest daily word counts and constant revision.

Personal Reflections: Love, Marriage, and Children

Rushdie’s personal life is another significant aspect of this interview. He has been married five times, with two sons from previous relationships. His current marriage to Rachel Eliza Griffiths, a poet more than three decades his junior, adds depth to his story.

Rushdie admits he was initially prepared for the end of his career but found himself “taken by surprise” when he met Griffiths.

His reflections on his past marriages and relationships offer a nuanced view of his life: “The truth is, when I was previously divorced, which was a long time ago, around the time of my 60th birthday, I really thought, ‘That’s probably it.’ And I was all right with that. I thought, ‘okay, I have a nice place to live and enough money, and I’m doing work I love, and I have my friends, and my children’.” This perspective provides insight into the human side of this celebrated author.

Free Speech and Censorship in Literature

In an era where free speech faces challenges from various quarters, Rushdie remains a vocal advocate. He notes that while many people misuse the argument for free speech, he believes it is essential: “Plenty of people misuse the argument. And those are the people who are actually book banners and so on.” His concern extends to contemporary issues such as book bans in the US, where he sees a backlash against efforts to erase certain narratives.

Reflecting on his own experiences with censorship, Rushdie acknowledges the ongoing threat: “From what I was told, there were at least half a dozen serious attempts, which as the MI6 people said, were frustrated.” His insights into the complexities of free speech and its protection are both enlightening and timely.

As Rushdie continues to write and reflect on his life and work, his contributions to literature remain profound.

The Eleventh Hour, like all his previous works, promises to engage readers with its playfulness and depth. His story is one of survival, resilience, and continued artistic expression.

Sources:

• Rushdie, S., 2025. The Eleventh Hour. Penguin Books.
• Rushdie, S., 2019.

  Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder. Viking Press.