Virtual Event: Salman Rushdie

Random House Publishing Group, PEN America, and Harvard Book Store are proud to present internationally renowned writer, free speech advocate, and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie in conversation with Suleika Jaouad, the New York Times bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms, founder of The Isolation Journals, and subject of the Netflix documentary American Symphony.

Rushdie’s new memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder, is a gripping account of surviving an attempt on his life 30 years after the fatwa was ordered against him. In unforgettable detail, Rushdie is speaking out for the first time about the traumatic events of April 12, 2022.

Join us on Tuesday, April 16 at 8 p.m. ET on Vimeo for an intimate conversation as they discuss life, loss, love, the power of art, and finding the strength to keep going—and stand up again. The event will feature an audience Q&A and a closing note from PEN America. You will have the opportunity to submit a question when registering for the event and may see it answered during the conversation. Please submit your questions no later than March 25. Please note: this event will be prerecorded, and you will be viewing its only broadcast.

Ticketing

Each ticket includes a hardcover copy of Knife. All participants must purchase a copy of Knife in order to view the event. Partcipants will also have the option to purchase Jaouad’s Between Two Kingdoms. If you have any questions about this event, please read the Frequently Asked Questions below. 

FAQ

I live outside the U.S. Can I still join the event?

• We’d love to have you! However, our bookstore partners only ship to U.S. mailing addresses. You are welcome to register using a U.S. mailing address. Please note, though, that Vimeo is not available in China, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Indonesia, Sudan, or Syria

I can’t join live. Will this event be recorded?

• Yes. The event will be recorded and shared exclusively with ticket holders for one week following the event. You must register for the event in order to receive the recording. Recording the event on your own device is strictly prohibited.

I have a question for the authors. Where can I submit it?

• You can submit your question when registering for the event. Please contact events@harvard.com if you have any trouble submitting your questions.

Is closed captioning available for this event?

• Yes. Closed captioning is available by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the video player screen. Please email pr@randomhouse.com if you have any other accessibility questions.

Will I be able to turn on my camera or microphone?

• No. This event will be hosted on Vimeo. You will be able to see and hear the speakers, but you will not be able to turn on your microphone or camera. Instead, we encourage you to submit a question in advance or engage with other readers via the chat.

When can I expect to receive the book?

• Knife by Salman Rushdie is on sale April 16, 2024. Books will begin shipping after this date. Advance copies are not available. You will receive an email from Harvard Book Store when your book ships.

Will my book be signed?

• No.

Where is the link to join the event?

• The Vimeo link will be shared in your ticket confirmation email. It will also be included in reminder emails. Please contact events@harvard.com if you have any trouble accessing the event.

How do I use Vimeo?

• Use a device with a strong internet connection and simply click the Vimeo link included in the event emails. If the event hasn’t started for you at 8 p.m. ET, click the refresh button for your browser. Learn more here: help.vimeo.com/hc/en-us/articles/12426085581073-How-to-watch-a-live-event-on-Vimeo

About Knife

From internationally renowned writer and Booker Prize winner Salman Rushdie, a searing, deeply personal account of enduring—and surviving—an attempt on his life thirty years after the fatwa that was ordered against him

Speaking out for the first time, and in unforgettable detail, about the traumatic events of August 12, 2022, Salman Rushdie answers violence with art, and reminds us of the power of words to make sense of the unthinkable. Knife is a gripping, intimate, and ultimately life-affirming meditation on life, loss, love, art—and finding the strength to stand up again.