(2.5) I have liked the collection of short stories written by Rushdie that I had read long before his attack. I have yet to read his longer novels, but I own Midnight's Children, and it's being on my mind to read it for a long time. I was always aware of his atheism and his politics, and although I disagree with him on many issues, it never stopped me from appreciating his writing.

I found his account of his traumatic experience touching. It is terribly sad what happened to him, and it is unacceptable. When the attack happened, I was surprised that there was no security in the venue he was speaking.

Having said that, there are long sections in this book that steer away from his personal experience to general extreme partisan politics, blaming one side for all the evil in the world, and assuming that his own personal moral code is superior to the moral code of those who disagree with him.

Extremists exist on both sides. Whether is Rushdie attacked or Trump or Biden or anyone else no matter what religion, atheism, or political side they follow, violence should always be unacceptable. People of all sides should be able to converse, disagree, express their opinions, write books, read books, and vote for whatever and for whomever they think represents their beliefs (whether is based on atheism or not). Not one single political side or race or culture or religion is responsible for all evil in the world: Everywhere there are good people and bad people and even just simply misguided people on all political sides, races, cultures, and religions.

I avoid direct politics of all sides, and this book went too far for no reason.

I will still recommend this book as a discussion to some of his general views and as a touching account to his harrowing experience on being attacked by a religious extremist. Rushdie in this book is making some good points and some unhinged points. I will still read his books.