The recent attack on writer Salman Rushdie in New York has increased reader interest in his novels, especially The Satanic Verses, for which he received countless threats and angered the entire Muslim world.
Three editions of the novel topped Amazon book sales on Saturday afternoon, recording the highest jump in sales in the last 24 hours. His novel Midnight’s Children came in at number four.
Rushdie’s attack on Friday in New York sent shock waves around the world and drew international condemnation.
After the attack, many copies of his novels were sold at New York’s famed Strand bookstore, not to mention they were sold online.
“People would come looking for any of his literary works, they wanted to know what we had,” Cathy Silvernell, department manager at a new and used books store, told AFP.
“Some of our young employees have never heard of him, and yesterday customers came looking for his books and wondered who he was and what his impact on the literary world,” she explained. On Twitter, users called for the purchase of Salman Rushdie’s books in solidarity with him.
The Satanic Verses follows the adventures of two Indians whose plane is attacked by terrorists who end up on a beach in England, one taking the form of a devil-like being and the other an angel-like being. In the context of the novel, the writer calls prostitutes the names of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
It is noteworthy that Rushdie is still in a critical condition in a Pennsylvania hospital, as he was stabbed in the neck and stomach.
Source: AFP.