World Famous Author speaks to Packed CMU Auditorium

By: Mike McArthur

World renowned author Salman Rushdie spoke to a full Plachta Auditorium last Monday night about his view of the world and impact of novels in today’s society.

Rushdie the author of more than 5 novels is most recognized because of the Fatwa or death sentence placed on him by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the former supreme leader of Iran. The Fatwa was for his portrayal of the Islamic faith in his 1988 book “The Satanic Verses”.

Rushdie spent nearly a decade hiding underground and making public appearances very rarely fearing for his life.

“During my time in hiding I learned how to tell if a car was following me or not”, Rushdie said.

Rushdie finally let go of his fear and came out of hiding when President Ronald Reagan was shot. Rushdie realized that if the most protected man in the world is not safe, no one truly is.

“There is no such thing as security”, said Rushdie. “There are only levels of in-security, it is all an illusion.”

Rushdie spoke to the crowd on how he believes that the only true way to spread the news is through novels.

“IT used to be that novels would give you the news and it still very well might be that way”, Rushdie said. “But when I turn on the news, I don’t see very much news anymore.”

Rushdie also spoke to the crowd regarding the impact novels have on the world. He went on to say that the good books do their work over long periods of time. The art of great literature speaks to all ages he said.

When asked how he felt when the Fatwa was placed on him and his book “The Satanic Verses” was banned in many nations, Rushdie explained that it was not something he took personally.

“Many powerful people are afraid of novels because they express individuality”, Rushdie explained.

Rushdie also went on to explain that when you write books you always want them to have an effect on the reader and his effect on the reader is for them to have conversations they would have not normally had.