A Book Review Session

The Department of English and Cultural Studies at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) organized an insightful book review session on 29th March 2025 in Room No. 2111. Attended by three faculty members and seven students, the event provided a platform for critical discussions surrounding the intersections of literature, technology, and culture. Five participants presented thoughtful reviews of diverse texts that offered engaging perspectives on themes ranging from racial and gender identity to digital narratives and videogame cultures. The session reflected the department’s continued emphasis on fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and encouraging students to explore contemporary issues through a literary lens.

Archi initiated the session with a moving review of Alice Walker’s seminal novel The Color Purple. She began by contextualizing Walker’s life and the socio-political environment of the racially segregated American South that shaped the author’s activism and writing. Archi effectively connected Walker’s concept of “womanism” with the novel’s core themes, particularly in its portrayal of Black women's experiences in the early twentieth century. She drew attention to the narrative’s engagement with traumatic realities like sexual abuse, domestic violence, and systemic racism while celebrating the transformative power of sisterhood, healing, and personal growth. The symbolism of the title, representing spirituality, royalty, and the richness of human experience, was also explored, culminating in an affirmation of the resilience and strength of the human spirit as central to Walker’s literary and activist vision.

Following this, Krishna delivered a compelling review of Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Noble, bringing to light the complex and often hidden biases within digital structures. Using the metaphor of the library, Krishna explored how contemporary search engines, particularly Google, are far from neutral. Her presentation included unsettling examples of algorithmic racism, including the notorious instance of Michelle Obama’s image being misrepresented in search results, underscoring the idea that “who pays becomes visible.” The conversation expanded to include AI-generated content and its limitations, such as racial bias in image generation. Krishna emphasized the increasing impact of technology on social consciousness, concluding with the assertion that society itself is being reshaped by the very algorithms we often assume to be impartial.

Sharan’s presentation centered on Janet Murray’s Hamlet on the Holodeck, a visionary text exploring the role of computers as legitimate narrative platforms. He engaged with Murray’s thesis that digital narratives are natural extensions of literary traditions, referring to her metaphor of computers as “children of books.” Sharan traced how Murray’s early predictions on immersion, agency, and transformation continue to influence contemporary digital storytelling. The reference to the “holodeck” from Star Trek offered a vivid illustration of the immersive narrative environments that new technologies make possible. By incorporating insights from the book’s second edition, Sharan provided a nuanced assessment of how accurately Murray’s vision has played out in today’s digital culture.

Stephanie followed with a critical review of Introduction to Digital Humanities, a foundational text in the field. Her presentation evaluated the book’s strengths in making digital methodologies accessible to beginners, while also pointing out its occasional lack of depth in theoretical frameworks. She encouraged a more integrated approach to digital and traditional humanities, advocating for tools that serve humanistic inquiry rather than overshadow it. Stephanie’s critique was both balanced and reflective, highlighting the promise and pitfalls of digital scholarship in contemporary academia.

The final presentation by Mark offered a deep dive into the world of videogames in South Asia through his review of Videogames in the Indian Subcontinent. Mark traced the history of gaming in the region, examining the influence of Western and Japanese companies and the evolving landscape of Indian gaming culture. He highlighted how games like Raji represent Indian mythology and folklore, contributing to a growing repository of culturally resonant content. At the same time, he addressed the challenges posed by stereotypical portrayals in global games, advocating for more authentic representations of South Asian identities in digital spaces.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A that fostered meaningful engagement between presenters and attendees. Discussions delved into ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, the role of technology in shaping culture, and the power of narrative in virtual spaces. The book review session ultimately stood out as a vibrant space for academic exchange, emphasizing the critical need to interrogate digital platforms and the stories they tell, while celebrating the enduring power of literature to provoke, question, and inspire.