Salman Rushdie Longlist Interview

How does it feel to be longlisted?

Very nice, thank you. It looks like a great list.

In the book you document conversations between you and ‘A’ that never occurred, how did you get into the frame of mind to imagine these conversations?

I just thought of him as a character I was creating, so I approached him as I would any fictional creation.

How do you think literature can help make sense of traumatic events?

It’s what all literature tries to do. The world can feel senseless and formless. Literature creates meaning and form.

How has the experience further influenced your views on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm?

It hasn’t really changed my views. Perhaps it has made the subject feel more personal.

You mention that in writing the book, you wanted to understand what the true motive of 'A' was, do you think you achieved that?

I feel that I dealt with him to my own satisfaction. The rest is for readers to say.