Joseph Anton: A Memoir

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On 14 February 1989, Valentine's Day, Salman Rushdie was telephoned by a BBC journalist and told that he had been 'sentenced to death' by the Ayatollah Khomeini. For the first time he heard the word fatwa. His crime? To have written a novel called The Satanic Verses, which was accused of being 'against Islam, the Prophet and the Quran'.

So begins the extraordinary story of how a writer was forced underground, moving from house to house, with the constant presence of an armed police protection team. He was asked to choose an alias that the police could call him by. He thought of writers he loved and combinations of their names; then it came to him: Conrad and Chekhov - Joseph Anton.

How do a writer and his family live with the threat of murder for over nine years? How does he go on working? How does he fall in and out of love? How does despair shape his thoughts and actions, how and why does he stumble, how does he learn to fight back? In this remarkable memoir Rushdie tells that story for the first time; the story of one of the crucial battles, in our time, for freedom of speech. He talks about the sometimes grim, sometimes comic realities of living with armed policemen, and of the close bonds he formed with his protectors; of his struggle for support and understanding from governments, intelligence chiefs, publishers, journalists, and fellow writers; and of how he regained his freedom.

It is a book of exceptional frankness and honesty, compelling, provocative, moving, and of vital importance. Because what happened to Salman Rushdie was the first act of a drama that is still unfolding somewhere in the world every day.

What will you learn from this book

Identity Crisis: Rushdie grapples with the complexities of his identity, both as a writer and as a person of Indian and Muslim heritage, amidst the controversy and threats surrounding "The Satanic Verses."
Freedom of Expression: The memoir underscores the importance of freedom of expression and artistic freedom, as Rushdie defends his right to write and publish without fear of censorship or reprisal.
Personal Sacrifice: Rushdie's life is marked by personal sacrifice as he goes into hiding and faces the challenges of living under constant threat, sacrificing his personal freedom for the sake of his safety.
Isolation and Loneliness: Rushdie's isolation and loneliness during his years in hiding are palpable in the memoir, as he grapples with the emotional toll of separation from loved ones and the outside world.
Support and Solidarity: Despite the challenges, Rushdie finds support and solidarity from friends, family, and fellow writers who stand by him during his ordeal, offering him strength and encouragement.
Literary Legacy: Rushdie reflects on his literary legacy and the impact of his work, including "The Satanic Verses," which sparked global controversy and debate about religion, politics, and freedom of expression.
Survival Instinct: The memoir highlights Rushdie's survival instinct as he navigates the dangerous waters of religious extremism and political intrigue, determined to outlast the threats against him.
Reflections on Religion: Rushdie offers nuanced reflections on religion, spirituality, and the role of faith in human society, grappling with the complexities of belief and disbelief in a world marked by religious conflict.
Resilience and Resolve: Throughout the memoir, Rushdie demonstrates resilience and resolve in the face of adversity, refusing to be silenced or cowed by those who seek to intimidate him into submission.
Legacy of Courage: "Joseph Anton" serves as a testament to Rushdie's courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to artistic freedom and the pursuit of truth, inspiring readers to stand up for their principles in the face of oppression and tyranny.

Language	English
ISBN-10	0224093975
ISBN-13	9780224093972
No of pages	636
Font Size	Medium
Book Publisher	Random House
Published Date	01 Jan 2015

About Author

Author : Salman Rushdie

29 Books

One of the most celebrated writers of our time, SALMAN RUSHDIE is the author of ten previous novels— Grimes, Midnight's Children (for which he won the Booker Prize in 1981, the Booker of Bookers in 1993, and, in 2008, the Best of the Booker),

Shame, The Satanic Verses, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, The Moor's Last Sigh, The Ground Beneath Her Feet, Fury, Shalimar the Clown, and The Enchantress of Florence.

He has also published four works of non-fiction, a collection of short stories, and edited two fiction anthologies.

In June 2007, Rushdie was appointed a Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth II for services to literature. He holds the rank Commandeer in the Ordre des Arts et des Letters of France and began a five-year term as Distinguished Writer in Residence at Emory University in 2007.

In May 2008, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and also in 2008, the London Times ranked Rushdie thirteenth on their list of ""The 50 greatest British writers since 1945".

For two years he served as president of The PEN American Center, the world's oldest human rights organization, and is the chair of PEN's World Voices Festival of International Literature, an annual literary festival he began in New York in 2001. Rushdie is currently working on the film version of Midnight's Children.