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richardbakare's reviews
397 reviews
Anti-Intellectualism in American Life by Richard Hofstadter
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Richard Hofstadter’s 1964 book on America’s anti-intellectualist tendencies remains pertinent even today. An undercurrent of opinion, amplified by Fox News, has become today’s realpolitik. 60 years since the initial publication and intellectuals face a deepening divide with the broader population. The internet, intended to increase the accessibility of information, has instead created echo chambers of misinformation.
Hofstadter’s well-written, smarty structured, and relatively accessible book establishes clear a definition of anti-intellectualism up front. While also drawing a distinction between intelligence and intellect. These revealing definitions highlight why we easily confuse the focused and intelligent neurosurgeon with the inquisitive and intellectual philosopher. Hofstadter also explores how political parties have been shaped by responses to along with the embracing of intellectualism.
The clear understanding that can be gleaned from this book is that Intellectualism isn’t naturally industrious. America rejects old-world class rule in favor of rugged industrialism; even if it’s amoral. Intellectuals are useful only in so far as their pursuits serve the capitalist goals of others. Whereas Intellectual solutions take time, even centuries. Industrious and populous actions provide immediate gratification and fleeting results. Hofstadter concludes that intellectual ability without human attributes is admirable only in the same way as a chess prodigy’s brilliance. In short, intellectual pursuits are impractical for America’s hustle culture.
After reading this you will see that it is no wonder that cults and fads thrive in America. The country seeks quick fixes to problems and will not embrace the long slog of introspection that leads to solving root issues. Anti-intellectualism is also a reaction to modernity’s push against entrenched beliefs. The book’s only flaw is its limited exploration of how America’s history of slavery and racism fueled anti-intellectualism. Otherwise a must, but marathon, read.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s long-awaited next novel is a deeply reflective one on a contemporary experience of four women and their aspirations, anguish, and joys. It peers wearily into Nigeria’s past for some character build-up but mostly makes us look squarely on the modern concerns and issues the women face. I specifically like the direct placement of some of the timeline in the middle of the Pandemic and MeToo movements.
The whole narrative reminded me of Bernadine Evaristo’s “Girl, Woman, Other,” which shed light on the intricacies of non-confirming lifestyles and non-hetero-centric male-centric experiences. In many ways, this novel paints a clear picture of the widening gulf between men and women. Specifically, the gap between what is being said when we are saying anything. One sex expecting a deeper inference of meaning while the other doesn’t try to look below their surface.
The character and plot development of all four perspectives work in dialogue with each other. Creating a larger thread that highlights how so many women are deserving of greater happiness but accept less than they deserve. Adichie gives us a mix of realities and outcomes that speaks to the many complicated dilemmas and outcomes women experience daily. The fact that these four women are African adds a richness to the tapestry of female voices we encounter. The whole time I had Sade’s “No Ordinary Love” playing as the soundtrack to this novel in my head.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rachel Khong's "Real Americans" is a multigenerational exploration of an immigrant family's journey from new arrivals towards a literal mutation of their fully assimilated selves. Khong leverages historical fiction with a bit of magical realism and science fiction to create a compelling and challenging narrative about what it means to be American.
I deeply resonated with this novel, being a first-generation American in my own family. Like our main characters, I can understand what it means to be stuck between two worlds. You never truly belong to a singular culture, language, traditions, or mores. The plot devices and character arcs that Khong employs create a story that wrestles with the construct of society and how it shapes our experiences.
Khong is examining in many ways what roles nature and nurture play in defining identity and belonging. In doing so, she also explores different ways that people are "passing" as another persona in society. One particular experience is a type of passing we can trace down to the DNA. The navigation of society by our core characters helps us also peer deeply into the repressed histories of their immigrant parents.
This book is wonderfully paced and offers unexpected plot turns coupled with endearing character development. In the end, Khong offers us a moral observation that is timeless. Khong demonstrates for us in the end that we repeat mistakes from one generation to the next through the very act of trying so hard not to repeat them.