Written for his teenage son, Salman Rushdie’s new book combines video games with fable

Salman Rushdie turns to video games in new book

LONDON — Salman Rushdie says he turned to the world of video games for inspiration for his new book, “Luka and the Fire of Life.”

The writer says he wrote the book for his 13-year-old son. The novel, published this week, is Rushdie’s second book for younger readers.

Rushdie says computer games are often based on a classical quest format that mixes well with the magical adventure theme in “Luka.”

The writer said Friday he is writing his memoirs and has no plans yet to write another novel. He said, however, that Indian politics remain close to his heart and he may return to that theme.

Rushdie was forced into hiding in England for a decade after the Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini issued a 1989 religious edict ordering Muslims to kill the author.