In 2017, the Slovenian translation of the book Power of Reading by a Hungarian-Canadian academic and Emeritus Professor at the University of Kent was published by the publishing house UMco. As a sociologist, Frank Furedi explores issues related to learning, knowledge and fear. One of his particular interests, as he describes it, is paranoid parenting.
In Power of Reading, subtitled From Socrates to Twitter, Furedi examines reading and literacy through various historical periods, stopping in the present. Here, he argues, there is even a fear of reading in some circles – a concern that reading might actually be harmful.
Neuroscience, psychology and other disciplines have contributed to the medicalisation of reading to such an extent that learning to read is now regarded as a demanding and complex process.
According to the author, one of the key complications arises from the existence of reading lists and the tendency to seek expert advice on what to read. He suggests that reading under instruction distorts one’s identity as a reader. What and how an individual reads reveals a great deal about their character. In this spirit, he critiques pedagogical and psychological approaches, curricula and other practices that, in his view, make some people feel unfit to be readers.
The book is candid and, at times, highlights troubling developments resulting from past efforts. Not everything intended to be beneficial has yielded positive results – this is the (sad) truth. In reality, reading is now considered a demanding activity in many circles. But is this really the case, or should we simply allow ourselves to be immersed in stories?
You can reflect on these and many other themes while reading Power of Reading. The book is available to our readers and researchers at the SIAE Library.
Adapted by: Ana Peklenik (ana.peklenik@acs.si), SIAE
