In the little time I have to read I have been pursuing* Joseph Anton, Rushdie's account of his years in hiding after the Iranian fatwa /death threat issued after the publication of The Satanic Verses.
I find the publishing details fascinating, and the identification of both courage and cowardice compelling. Of course they surround or compose Rushdie's concern with free speech and free movement and the horrendous stacking of power which is addressed in the U.S. Constitution in the non-establishment clause.
Around the middle of the book he writes a letter to Religion. The final paragraph of the letter reads, in part:
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*I never peruse books; I'm always behind, trying to catch up -
I find the publishing details fascinating, and the identification of both courage and cowardice compelling. Of course they surround or compose Rushdie's concern with free speech and free movement and the horrendous stacking of power which is addressed in the U.S. Constitution in the non-establishment clause.
Around the middle of the book he writes a letter to Religion. The final paragraph of the letter reads, in part:
What sort of club is it that makes it compulsory to be a member? I thought the best clubs were exclusive and tried their damnedest to keep the riffraff out.And it occurred to me, the kind of club which makes membership compulsory: a protection racket.
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*I never peruse books; I'm always behind, trying to catch up -
