Reviews
An Open Life: Joseph Campbell in Conversation with Michael Toms by Joseph Campbell, Michael Toms
grete_rachel_howland's review against another edition
3.0
Campbell's words (both written and spoken, across a number of texts) have meant so much to me as I move away from the rigid Christianity in which I was raised into the spaces that lie beyond, both intellectually and spiritually. I was happy to encounter a number of instances of that kind of impact and inspiration in this book, which is a collection of transcriptions of interviews he did with Michael Toms in the '70s and '80s.
That said, I also noticed more than ever (which, of course I did; I know more now than I have in the past) how much his thoughts and perspective are in need of critique--feminist critique, critical race theories, class critiques, and so on. For example, he mentions the "heroism" of Cortez in his actions in the Americas. Now, Campbell might just be talking about aspects of the the literal "hero" 'role', per hero stories, that Cortez takes on; but also, "heroism" has connotations, and while Campbell does acknowledge the atrocities committed by Cortez and his men, he also doesn't speak against or in criticism of the connotations that his words attach to the man. I would like to think that he would welcome such critique, given the appreciation and reverence he otherwise seems to have for world views outside of his own norm, but who knows.
All in all, there was as much content that I wanted to push back on as content that resonated. But Campbell remains an important thinker for me, and so I'll hold on to this text and probably return to it for further reflection in the future.
That said, I also noticed more than ever (which, of course I did; I know more now than I have in the past) how much his thoughts and perspective are in need of critique--feminist critique, critical race theories, class critiques, and so on. For example, he mentions the "heroism" of Cortez in his actions in the Americas. Now, Campbell might just be talking about aspects of the the literal "hero" 'role', per hero stories, that Cortez takes on; but also, "heroism" has connotations, and while Campbell does acknowledge the atrocities committed by Cortez and his men, he also doesn't speak against or in criticism of the connotations that his words attach to the man. I would like to think that he would welcome such critique, given the appreciation and reverence he otherwise seems to have for world views outside of his own norm, but who knows.
All in all, there was as much content that I wanted to push back on as content that resonated. But Campbell remains an important thinker for me, and so I'll hold on to this text and probably return to it for further reflection in the future.
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