Mohsin Hamid: Uh guys I can hear you
Last weekend, I attended a talk by the Pakistani writer, Mohsin Hamid, at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. While the talk was about his last novel, what stayed with me the most was a comment Hamid made about the future of reading. He insisted that, despite panicked predictions of books becoming museum artifacts, and writing being an aging art on its deathbed, reading will continue to offer people something valuable and irreplaceable.
Hamid’s argument
Hamid argued that reading is unique in that it is an act of co-creation and collaboration–a kind of contract, I would say–between the reader and writer. While our conversations around writing tend to center around the writer, no story is complete until it finds a reader because technically, words on a page are still, soundless things; they are printed symbols with no audiovisual component, no reel of images to guide or shape what you should see.
A book truly comes alive when it enters the chamber of a reader’s mind and become their–your–own private story like a beam of light refracted through the lens of your life experiences, or a customized film projected onto your mind’s eye. It’s this unique quality, Hamid argues, that will allow reading to survive in today’s oversaturated media landscape.
Hamid extended his argument by pointing to film adaptations of books and the passionate debate they inspire. Think of a time when you watched, or heard of, a film adaptation and thought: ‘Jail!’ According to Hamid, most criticisms of adaptations are readers mourning the loss of the world they had conjured in their head (think The Hunger Games or Harry Potter). For the reader, every movie director of a book adaptation is a dictator overthrowing their sacred, private universe. ‘What about my world?’, asks the wounded reader.
Jane Austen: You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope.
Netflix: … a bunny?
My thoughts
I find Hamid’s argument compelling for the way that it forces us to reimagine our traditional understanding of reading. Typically–and I say this as someone who has related to this position in the past–we think of reading as a static, passive role, both physically (as in reading is just sitting and staring at a book), and emotionally (all readers read identically/all readers are interchangeable).
But Hamid’s line of reasoning transforms reading into a dynamic process and repositions the reader as a co-producer of a book. I would even argue that when we read, we juggle several roles–of cinematographer and casting director and set and costume designer, all at once. We weave entire worlds out of words, animate mute, inky symbols with life.
This maybe explains why reading often feels intensely private, intimate, even transcendent. The most rewarding reading experiences occur in a time warp where time slows and is suspended; they collapse time and dissolve distance between the writer and reader until a 19th century Brazilian author is speaking to you, a 21st century student, in a cross-century conversation that feels like a communion.
This is the marvel of reading: it’s deceptively simple–so sedentary, so silent–but equally poignant and powerful. It’s this tension between appearance and experience that’s one of the most enjoyable things about reading. Who is to say what vivid, heart-wrenching, glorious, piercing film plays in your mind when you sit down to read, but you?
Some critiques
If I were to disagree with Hamid, it’s only to say that I think his argument, as powerful as it is, can be extended to many art forms. Films, visual art, music: the best of any art form establishes a dialogue between the artist and the audience. It offers a simulation of life that allows us to return to Real Life with more clarity, perhaps even courage.
I also believe that reading will survive, but maybe not in the way that Hamid imagines. With the rise of audiobooks and ‘BookTok/BookTube/Bookstagram’–two phenomena that deserve posts of their own–reading is reinventing itself. So while Hamid is an old-school physical books purist, today and tomorrow’s generations will probably read, but the act of reading may shape-shift.
All said and done, though, I can understand Hamid’s impulse to champion reading. He is, after all, a writer, and I suspect it isn’t the most cheerful thing to hear people rushing to write eulogies of your livelihood. In the 21st century evolution of entertainment and a Survival of the Fittest, all Mohsin Hamid is trying to do is bet on reading making it to the end. I would bet on it too.
Will today’s libraries become tomorrow’s museums?
Questions for discussion:
- What are your thoughts on the future of reading? Do you agree with Hamid? Will it become a thing of the past, or does it have what it takes to survive?
- How is reading similar to and/or different from your favorite forms of entertainment?
- Do you have a favorite, or least favorite, movie adaptation of a book? Have you ever felt strongly about a film adaptation? If so, why?
If you want to hear from Hamid himself…
Links
https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/persuasion-poster-photos-dakota-johnson-henry-golding
Amazing ideas, Manal! You have put your thoughts into words in a very compelling manner, that you had me engaging with your own text the way you believe- as well as Hamid- a reader interacts with a piece of writing. In fact, I thought of it from the perspective of economics. A similar analogy was drawn in my head: suppliers create products for them to be purchased. The purchase of those products depends on the customers- their demand, preferences, price sensitivity, etc. Each customer will perceive a product differently depending on his/her criteria or interests, although the product is just a still object on the shelf. However, with no customers, there is no purpose of the product.
Thank you so much, Laya! 🙂 This is a very interesting analogy you’ve drawn and one that I hadn’t thought of. But you’re right: a customer makes each product, just as a reader makes each book!
I really enjoyed reading this! The way you articulated your thoughts was very impressive – especially through the word choice and imagery. I especially liked how you extended Hamid’s argument to other forms of media. While watching movies with my friends, I noticed that we have different perspectives. Sometimes, I would believe that what a character is doing is unjustified, while my friend who is watching the same movie at the same time as me would believe otherwise. As well as that, I found it very interesting how you explained readers’ negative reactions to film interpretations. It makes me wonder if I would have liked certain movies more if I hadn’t read their corresponding books beforehand. Or even the opposite – would I have disliked certain movies if I had read their books first?
Thank you so much Habiba, this is very kind! I agree – I’ve had mixed reactions to movie adaptations as well. I’m not particular about whether I read the book or watch the movie first, so I’ve experienced a bit of both. Generally, I find that I’m more protective (even possessive?) of the story and world in my head when I’ve read the book first. But there have been other instances when I’ve watched the movie first – most recently, Little Women – and the adaptation has been such a joy that it’s only enhanced my reading experience when I’ve finally gotten around to the book.
Beautifully written Manal!! You chose a very interesting topic to talk about and have done a brilliant job at expressing your findings and thoughts in this post. I definitely agree with Hamid’s point about the cruciality of having a reader regardless of how well written the book may be; without a reader, the story is incomplete. Additionally, it is so important to stop generalizing the term “readers”. Although my opinion may be a bit bias as I am not a huge fan of reading, but the way people interpret and understand characters, scenes, imagery, setting etc in a book is very different and varies from person to person, hence, the assumptions of all readers receiving this in the same way is completely unreal. As said by many people, reading allows people to escape from the real world into your own imaginative land, and this imagination is obviously subjective. Perhaps, this is why in English classes there is no “right answer” to a question. Everyone is welcome to express their thoughts and understanding from a text and it can never be addressed as incorrect.
Lastly, a particular section that stood out in your post was the critique. It really strengthens your overall post and it also encourages more critical thinking for us as readers.
I really enjoyed reading your blog especially the inclusion of Hamid’s arguments and how you gave your thoughts on his argument . You made it feel like a conversation which really think out loud while reading it. When you gave the counter arguments it made me think maybe reading will last but maybe in another form.
Reading can’t die Manal, we’d be deprived of your wonderful writing! On your first question; I don’t think reading will disappear, or at least, I hope not. Like you said, in this fast-changing world, we’re live witnesses to how books and reading are adapting. For better or for worse, each generation will make literature its own. The rise of highly engaging short-format media and its effect on our attention spans may be one of the perils books are facing, but surely readers and writers will prevail. Your beautiful description of the ‘marvels of reading’ proves that there is some inherent quality in this activity that no other media form can mimic or replace. For me personally, reading differs from most other forms of media entertainment because I find it far more rewarding. Maybe it’s because I don’t read nearly as much as I would like to, but it feels more productive. The part about film adaptations is super relatable, and usually, I’ll stick to either the book or the movie to save myself from disappointment. But on a more positive note, some upcoming adaptations that I’m really excited about are Daisy Jones and the new Percy Jackson series!
Aw thank you so much Ayesha, this is so incredibly heartwarming! :)) I agree – the effect of attention spans on one’s reading life is something I know only too well (and could know less of!). It really is a shame how our brains are being rewired to seek instant entertainment, rather than the slow pleasure of immersing oneself in a book for days, if not weeks and months. My reading has also suffered on and off because of this, and reclaiming my attention span and retraining my brain to consume chapters, not just reels or shorts (!), can be a struggle. But it’s a fight worth fighting, I would say! We’re perhaps one of the last generations to have memories of a pre-internet time and it’s important to preserve that memory and to remember that bite-size entertainment was historically not the norm!
First of all, this is an exquisite piece of writing here. A fascinating blog filled with information written in a few paragraphs of literary prowess.
Secondly, Hamid is both correct and incorrect. Yes, you need a reader for the story to analyze their reaction and have a second set of eyes on your books to clean out the rough patches. However, the sort of contract between the reader and the writer is not a fixed thing if one party holds disproportionate power over the other. Due to how few writers actually make it, some would be inclined to write a story that fits the narrative of the fans, rather than one that the writer themselves would be happy with, or even one where they attempt to find common ground with the reader. I certainly do not know which approach is right, but I suppose that such questions cannot be answered in a short comment such as this one.
Finally, I do agree that reading is around to stay, but it should not be taken for granted. Examples would be the burning of the world’s most comprehensive libraries in Baghdad in 1258 during the Mongol conquest and the complete destruction of the world’s largest encyclopedia during the Second Opium war between the British Empire, the French Empire, and the Qing dynasty of China. Such instances of loss of knowledge are something that no one could have predicted and caused something akin to societal decay in both of these instances. Perhaps it is much harder these days for such losses to happen due to the internet’s existence, but, alas, it is imperative to be careful.
I want to share my opinion on the first question, “What are your thoughts on the future of reading? Do you agree with Hamid? Will it become a thing of the past, or does it have what it takes to survive?”. I think that reading is more alive now more than at any time in history due to the huge accessibility of books. Back in the day, people had to go out of their way to borrow or buy books, but nowadays, everyone can easily access any book they desire to read on their electronic devices. Therefore, I think that reading will only grow more prevalent over the next years.
Your writing is beautiful. I love reading your pieces. I think reading is timeless, from my point of view it stems from our internal mind’s need to run wild… how else would we stay afloat if everything our senses consumed was already manufactured. I love what you said about us having our own imagined world when reading anything. Wonderfully articulated Manal, Love it!
I had conversation with a friend a while ago about the interpretation of art and she told me that once a piece of art is out for people to see and consume, its meaning is what they decide it is. People are different and sometimes they see details that the artist didn’t intentionally plan. I don’t think books should be entirely catered to readers because we need experimental books. I personally don’t think that reading is going to disappear as a medium especially when it is more accessible than ever.
To elaborate on my point in regards to accessibility. Currently books come in many different formats that can help people add reading to their routines. For example, reading an ebook on your device instead of scrolling through social media. Physical books aren’t always that accessible especially in places that don’t have public libraries.
I find Mohsin Hamid’s argument about the future of reading to be compelling and thought-provoking. His view that reading is a collaborative act between the reader and writer is an interesting perspective, and it highlights the unique nature of reading as an immersive experience that is different from other forms of entertainment.
I agree with Hamid that reading will continue to offer something valuable and irreplaceable in today’s oversaturated media landscape. While there may be a shift in the way people read, such as through audiobooks or social media, the act of reading and the connection between reader and writer will remain important.
Reading is similar to other forms of entertainment in that it offers a means of escapism and a way to immerse oneself in a different world. However, the act of reading is different from other forms of entertainment, such as film, music or visual art, in that it requires active participation from the reader to create the story in their mind.
In terms of movie adaptations of books, I have had both positive and negative experiences. While I appreciate the effort to bring a book to life on the big screen, I have also felt disappointed when the film fails to capture the essence of the book or makes changes that alter the original story. I think many readers feel this way, as they have a strong emotional connection to the worlds created in the books they love.
Overall, I believe that reading will continue to be a meaningful and valuable form of entertainment, and that the act of reading will continue to evolve to meet the needs and preferences of readers.
Anywho, I truly loved this blog. Great work manal :)))
I loved reading this, great work! Its an amazing topic and something that not many people speak about. I often feel that people have just “written off” the beauty, complexity and depth of literature and reading. Personally, I won’t ever let reading go. I was raised on The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter and still take great pride in the vast amount of books Ive read and the many different worlds that exist in my mind. They are relieving, comforting but also exciting and have given me a whole universe to explore in times when I had nothing else to do. Even as an AUS student, I find myself with heaps of free time and I’ll pick up a random book in the AUS library and read. And I feel as more people make the push to live better, healthier, more meaningful lives, the habit of reading will see another rise in popularity. Its just one of those things thats too old, too cherished, to ever fade out of existence. Reading books, cover to cover, has changed the lives of so many people, let them see the world through another lens, and given people so much inspiration to do more and to be better. And its different from other forms of storytelling like film or drama because reading forces you to use your imagination and create the world in your head, and when done right, you get a clearer, more vivid story in your head than any movie could’ve hoped to be. Im not generally biased for or against movie adaptations of books, but there have been only a few movies which really did justice to the complexity and depth of their source material. I do have a few adaptations that I dont like at all, first being Amazon’s “Rings of Power” which is supposed to be based on the history of Middle Earth as created and written by JRR Tolkein. The showrunners obviously dont care about authenticity and are just looking to make a quick fortune (dont blame them). Netflix’s “The Witcher” started off amazingly but the wheels fell off very soon when the showrunners decided to prioritize pleasing every demographic possible, rather than putting their faith in the support of the fans and keeping the show as true to the source material as they could.