Salman Rushdie is back in the spotlight nine months after he was critically injured in a stabbing.
The author made a surprise appearance at the PEN America Literary Awards Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on May 19, where he was honored with the Centenary Courage Award. And while addressing the crowd, 75-year-old Rushdie, who received a standing ovation for his performance on stage, alluded to the horrifying incident.
“Well, hello everyone,” the writer told the crowd. “It’s nice to be back – as opposed to not being back, which was also an option. I’m pretty happy the die was cast that way.”
Last August, Rushdie was preparing to speak at an event at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York, when a man rushed onto the stage and stabbed him multiple times in areas including his face, neck, abdomen and chest.
The attack blinded Rushdie in one eye and also impaired the use of one of his hands. The suspect came forward shortly after the incident Hadi MaterHe was charged with attempted murder and assault. He pleaded not guilty and his trial is pending.
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