Jasmine M’s comment > Likes and Comments
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seriously, are you for real ? the whole world in that series is in a midevil setting. the northerners are not that much better, just less brutal. and it's a fact that in the arab world religion is law and therefor it's current status. there are similarities that are based on truth and differences based on fiction. i don't think politics plays a part here.
Good points, Jasmine. There is a long and august tradition of American and European authors drawing on stereotypes and features of non-Western societies as their templates for the foreign, exotic, or alien. Brett clearly falls into this tradition. Readers who identify very strongly with Western culture or cultural norms are more likely to be blind to such a dynamic in the writing. That's okay. All people have their areas of ignorance; which is why humility and ongoing observation and study are generally wise approaches.
The question of whether to be offended by such 'Orientalist' tropes is, I think, a personal one. For me, I just choose to recognize it and to accept it as one more feature of the narrative. A book, to me, is an invitation into the mind and imagination of the author. It will be influenced by the experiences, the aspirations as well as by the limitations and ignorances of the author.
Just as you would decide who to connect with in any social situation, and how to connect with them; I think we also choose in the literary world of story and writing.
I've found Brett's imagination to be stirring and compelling. I've been enjoying and appreciating these stories of his very much. On the other hand, I will not be looking to him for enlightening perspectives on the culture and traditions of the Arab and Muslim world. Fortunately, there are millions of interesting teachers in the world; each with their own gems to offer.
I do think it's important to raise up points like the one in this thread, though; because sometimes myths and stories can fuel barbarism and blindness in us. Conversations can sometimes counteract that.
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May 15, 2016 10:13PM
seriously, are you for real ? the whole world in that series is in a midevil setting. the northerners are not that much better, just less brutal. and it's a fact that in the arab world religion is law and therefor it's current status. there are similarities that are based on truth and differences based on fiction. i don't think politics plays a part here.
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Good points, Jasmine. There is a long and august tradition of American and European authors drawing on stereotypes and features of non-Western societies as their templates for the foreign, exotic, or alien. Brett clearly falls into this tradition. Readers who identify very strongly with Western culture or cultural norms are more likely to be blind to such a dynamic in the writing. That's okay. All people have their areas of ignorance; which is why humility and ongoing observation and study are generally wise approaches.The question of whether to be offended by such 'Orientalist' tropes is, I think, a personal one. For me, I just choose to recognize it and to accept it as one more feature of the narrative. A book, to me, is an invitation into the mind and imagination of the author. It will be influenced by the experiences, the aspirations as well as by the limitations and ignorances of the author.
Just as you would decide who to connect with in any social situation, and how to connect with them; I think we also choose in the literary world of story and writing.
I've found Brett's imagination to be stirring and compelling. I've been enjoying and appreciating these stories of his very much. On the other hand, I will not be looking to him for enlightening perspectives on the culture and traditions of the Arab and Muslim world. Fortunately, there are millions of interesting teachers in the world; each with their own gems to offer.
I do think it's important to raise up points like the one in this thread, though; because sometimes myths and stories can fuel barbarism and blindness in us. Conversations can sometimes counteract that.
