A snippet from my new Bookslut column by me in which I review Marina Warner's Stranger Magic: Charmed States and the Arabian Nights:
Said's thesis has unfortunately made little effect in the US outside of the academy. The greatest ostensible change seems to be on the use of the term "oriental" for persons of Asian origin, which is no longer deemed politically correct. Beyond this I have found that when trying to explain his theory, there is a strong desire to reject it on the part of those who enjoy the cultural artifacts of traditional Orientalism, such as the writings of Kipling, or Orientalist paintings. I have never taken from Said the need to denounce or cast off all Orientalist works. There is no need to wrap your well-thumbed copy of The Arabian Nights in brown paper when taking it to read on the train. You can hang onto your Ingres print and display your little bits of chinoiserie about your living room without fear. We are not coming for your Rimsky-Korsakov records. Take heart! If all the world's art and literature were rejected for its association with the project of empire building there would be little left to enjoy.
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Neo Orientalism is the New Orientalism « BihishtÄbÄd | April 30, 2012
[...] Daisy Rockwell’s review of Marina Warner’s Stranger Magic: Charmed States and the Arabian Nights: Said's thesis [...]