Salman Rushdie speaks of ‘crazy dreams’ about knife attack in New York

Salman Rushdie speaks of "crazy dreams" post-attack, which left him blind in one eye. He's in two minds about facing his alleged attacker in court, but is focusing on "getting on with it" and writing a book about the incident. He's physically "more or less OK" and has released a new book, ‘Victory City’, to critical acclaim.

Salman Rushdie has spoken for the first time about having “crazy dreams” following the near-fatal knife attack on him in New York in August last year, which has left the Mumbai-born author blind in one eye, and working with a therapist to help him process the mental impact of the trauma.

The 76-year-old Booker Prize-winning author was on stage almost a year ago when he was stabbed up to 10 times by the suspect Hadi Matar, who is being held in prison for attempted murder.

Speaking to the BBC this week, Mr. Rushdie said he was in "two minds" about whether to face his alleged attacker, who has pleaded not guilty, in court.

"I have a very good therapist who has a lot of work to do. I have crazy dreams," the British-American novelist said.

Salman Rushdie | The language of truth  

"If he changes his plea to guilty then actually there's not a trial, there's just a sentencing, and it may well be that then my presence isn't required. I'm in two minds about it. There's one bit of me that actually wants to go and stand on the court and look at him and there's another bit of me that just can't be bothered.

"I don't have a very high opinion of him. And I think what is important to me now is that you're able to find life continuing. I'm more engaged with the business of, you know, getting on with it," he said when asked if he plans to attend Matar’s trial later this year.