Almost from earliest times in Europe the Orient was something more than what was empirically known about it.
– Orientalism by Edward Said p. 55
To be frank from the start, the book is super academic in my opinion. Reading it takes time, sometimes it gets boring, but you can’t risk skipping pages, it’s not Jules Vernes style of slowness. I think in order to appreciate this book you need to have great interest in the topic itself. This is not an introduction to Orientalism, this is a academic analysis of Orientalism, some prior exposure to concept of minorities, representations, colonialism, are in my opinion important to get to enjoy the book.
But once you get there, it is absolutely fabulous, meticulous, it gives detailed and clear examples and references, excerpts collected from obviously loooong research. It gives proof to what we want to say as people who feel Orientalism but may not be able to formulate our arguments. You will find so many passages that you want to save and index simply because they simplify (if the word “simple” applies aslan) very subtle dynamics.
In addition to that, at some points Said does not hide cynicism, which is awesome, it’s like academic sense of humor at times. He makes fun of elephants in the Orientalist room and ridicules them at times. In a way, and for an Arab reader it sort of helps you understand the non-sense that Western opinion leaders (politicians, journalists, etc.) say when referring to our region.
One last point as well, if you are exposed to Feminist (and more specifically womanist) theories about representation and shit like that, this book is for you. Mostly because the way he articulates the phenomenon is fabulous, structured, and supported.
Of course if you are a mental masturbator that is picking up this book to prove it wrong… chances are you will be provoked, irritated, bored, and outraged.
Zuzu 