In 'Textual Preoccupations and the Operation of Reading,' Saad Al-Bazai, a prominent Arab literary critic, delves into the intricate relationship between literary texts and the act of reading. The book explores how texts are not inert entities but are actively shaped and understood through the reader's engagement. Al-Bazai examines various methodologies and critical approaches to unravel the 'preoccupations' embedded within the text and how they come alive through interpretive acts. This insightful work challenges conventional notions of passive reception, arguing instead for a dynamic, interactive process where the reader plays a crucial role in constructing meaning. It's an essential read for scholars and students interested in hermeneutics, literary theory, and the philosophy of reading.