Sir Salman Rushdie is set to release his first work of fiction since 2023’s Victory City—a powerful new collection titled “The Eleventh Hour,” arriving November 4, according to irishnews.com. The announcement marks a defiant and creative resurgence for the 77-year-old author, who survived a brutal stabbing in 2022 that left him blind in one eye.
Published by Vintage (Penguin Random House), the book weaves together three novellas and two connecting stories, traversing Bombay’s vibrant streets, the hallowed halls of Cambridge and the surreal realm of an undead academic seeking vengeance. Rushdie describes the collection as a meditation on mortality, anger and peace, with nods to artistic giants like Goya and Kafka.
“These stories, though distinct, speak to each other—and to the reader—as a singular, layered work,” Rushdie said in a statement.
Fans will recognise the return to the Bombay of Midnight’s Children, while new tales introduce a mystical musician trapped in a billionaire’s marriage and two feuding Chennai men grappling with personal and national tragedy.
The release follows Rushdie’s 2024 memoir Knife, where he detailed the horrific onstage attack by Hadi Matar, later convicted of attempted murder.
Despite decades of threats—including the infamous 1989 fatwa over The Satanic Verses—Rushdie’s latest proves his storytelling remains as sharp and fearless as ever.
The Eleventh Hour promises to be one of 2025’s most anticipated literary events—a testament to resilience, artistry, and the unyielding power of words.
Pre-orders available now.
