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A review by cb_reads_reviews
The City of Words by Alberto Manguel
4.0
Alberto Manguel’s 2007 Massey Lecture, “The City of Words” is a sobering look at the importance of language in establishing our identities, the ways in which we other and create dichotomies and enemies, and the instability and degradation of language and meaning.
I found most poignant his arguments on how intellectualism is ignored and defeated, the becoming of a Cassandra who is never heard. Supported by his final lecture, calling out the devolution of writing as a result of the commodification of words - where profit is to be made at the expense of ideas and knowledge, and at the expense even of humanity itself.
Written and given in 2007, this work predates what I call the Netflixisation of literature - the realisation of literature as pure entertainment. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the entertainment value of reading, when it comes at the expense of the art of literature - we might want to take more interest in who is publishing, what they’re publishing, and for what aims?
A fascinating look at language and its evolution through storytelling, both oral and written, across time and place, visiting the Epic of Gilgamesh, Don Quixote, and the Inuit stories transmitted in “The Fast Runner”, among others. A thoroughly engaging and accessible series of lectures that I would recommend to everyone.
I found most poignant his arguments on how intellectualism is ignored and defeated, the becoming of a Cassandra who is never heard. Supported by his final lecture, calling out the devolution of writing as a result of the commodification of words - where profit is to be made at the expense of ideas and knowledge, and at the expense even of humanity itself.
Written and given in 2007, this work predates what I call the Netflixisation of literature - the realisation of literature as pure entertainment. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the entertainment value of reading, when it comes at the expense of the art of literature - we might want to take more interest in who is publishing, what they’re publishing, and for what aims?
A fascinating look at language and its evolution through storytelling, both oral and written, across time and place, visiting the Epic of Gilgamesh, Don Quixote, and the Inuit stories transmitted in “The Fast Runner”, among others. A thoroughly engaging and accessible series of lectures that I would recommend to everyone.