Edward W. Said’s Orientalism, published in 1978, offers a critical analysis of the West’s colonial project. In this book, Said argues that it is essential to recognize and understand three distinct traditions within Orientalist discourse. The first is the centuries-old intellectual tradition in the West, within which scholars have sought to understand the East. The second is a particular Western mindset reflected in ontological and epistemological frameworks, primarily aimed at establishing the superiority of the West over the East in every respect. The third aspect is the political objective of the West: to justify and sustain its dominance over Eastern societies through various political means and specific way of knowledge production. Said makes it clear that his focus in the book is on the latter two aspects of Orientalism. He attempts to show how these elements have been deeply intertwined with the goals of Western imperialism from the late eighteenth century to the present day. He demonstrates how major Orientalist works have served the social and colonial interests of the West. As expected, Orientalism has been the subject of extensive critique. Since its publication in 1978, it remains extensively read and discussed. This article examines significant critical reactions to Said’s work—ranging from Orientalists and academics to Marxist theorists and philosophers. Although the book has its shortcomings, a key challenge for critics has been understanding Said’s main argument. Said challenges the epistemological underpinnings of imperialism instead of providing a definition or historical account of Orientalism. This essay argues that Orientalism ought not to be interpreted merely as a book about Orientalism, but rather as a postcolonial text.