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A review by leonwheeler
Orientalism by Edward W. Said
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
After originally reading the first 2 chapters for uni I decided to read the whole book (admittedly in prep for a masters). A very informative read which is always interesting even if it occasionally does tend to feel overly analytical when Said displays his English lit credentials and explores the meaning and inferences behind explicit words - he makes valid points but at times it does seem over the top.
Some very interesting points were made about the way in which to know the ‘orient’ gave the western forces legitimacy to therefore dominate and run the orient. Biased and racist academic coverage typifying the east as simultaneously exactly the same and with a mythic past but also backwards and moral bankrupt in the modern era being used as justification for colonialism and prejudice.
Very very interesting and generally well written throughout.
Some very interesting points were made about the way in which to know the ‘orient’ gave the western forces legitimacy to therefore dominate and run the orient. Biased and racist academic coverage typifying the east as simultaneously exactly the same and with a mythic past but also backwards and moral bankrupt in the modern era being used as justification for colonialism and prejudice.
Very very interesting and generally well written throughout.