Salman Rushdie, who was repeatedly stabbed last week on a stage in Chautauqua, New York, is recovering from his wounds, the New York Times reports.

Rushdie, known for novels including Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses, was taken off a ventilator, according to his agent, Andrew Wylie. Rushdie’s elder son, Zafar Rushdie, said the author was still in critical condition.

“Though his life-changing injuries are severe, his usual feisty and defiant sense of humor remains intact,” the younger Rushdie said. “We are so grateful to all the audience members who bravely leapt to his defense and administered first aid, along with the police and doctors who have cared for him and for the outpouring of love and support from around the world.”

A suspect in Rushdie’s stabbing, Hadi Matar, has been arrested in connection with the attack and faces charges including second-degree attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

Rushdie was the subject of a 1989 fatwa issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran; the edict ordered Rushdie’s assassination because Khomeini believed the author’s The Satanic Verses constituted a blasphemous attack on Islam.

Wishes for Rushdie’s recovery poured in on social media. On Twitter, Rushdie’s ex-wife Padma Lakshmi wrote, “Relieved @SalmanRushdie is pulling through after Friday’s nightmare. Worried and wordless, can finally exhale. Now hoping for swift healing.”

And former President Bill Clinton tweeted, “Salman Rushdie has lived his life courageously and refused to let intimidation silence him, his art, and what he stands for. I am keeping him in my thoughts and praying for his recovery.”

Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.