Salman Rushdie made an emotional and unexpected return to public life on Thursday night, attending the annual gala of PEN America and giving the event’s final speech as he accepted a special prize—the PEN Centenary Courage Award—just nine months being after being stabbed repeatedly and hospitalised. 

“It’s nice to be back—as opposed to not being back, which was also a possibility. I’m glad the dice rolled this way,” Rushdie said.