A recent review published by The Bulwark highlights Naomi Kanakia's new book, "What’s So Great About the Great Books?", which delves into the enduring value of classic literature while directly confronting contemporary criticisms regarding their "problematic" nature. The review notes that the book's most compelling sections address these very concerns, offering a nuanced perspective on the Western canon.
The Bulwark's article, titled "The Great Books Are for Everybody," examines Kanakia's argument for the classics amidst anxieties about declining reading habits and calls for "decolonization" of the humanities. Kanakia, described as a cultural progressive and a bisexual transgender woman of Asian background, passionately advocates for the Great Books, acknowledging their perceived flaws but emphasizing their intellectual rigor and capacity to foster critical discernment.
The tweet from The Bulwark stated, > "Perhaps unsurprisingly, the book’s most dynamic and thought-provoking sections are the ones dealing with the 'problematic' nature of the Great Books." This sentiment underscores a central theme of Kanakia's work: engaging with the classics despite elements that might be considered offensive or outdated by modern standards. She addresses concerns that these texts are predominantly by "dead white men" and contain "toxic stereotypes."
Kanakia's approach is personal and empathetic, drawing on her own experiences with difficult texts and her identity. She acknowledges the "emotional pain" that marginalized readers might feel when encountering bigoted ideas in classic literature, a point the reviewer, despite being more culturally conservative, found relatable. However, Kanakia ultimately argues that the books transcend the personal politics or flaws of their authors, offering fundamental truths about beauty and reality.
The book also explores the historical emergence of the Great Books concept in American higher education, positioning it as an effort to forge a universal literary heritage. Kanakia suggests that attempts to "decenter" or "disrupt" the Great Books curriculum may be counterproductive, arguing that a belief in literary greatness can inspire deeper intellectual engagement. Her work aims to re-engage readers with the classics, asserting that a "deep hunger for that greatness" still exists.
