I read about this in The New York Times, I think it was Monday 10/29/01.
He felt that his book is high art, and to "lower" it to be an Oprah Book of the Month selection was disgracing his work (or something like that
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In 1996, he blamed television for the destruction of literary art, and proceeded to smash in his own televison. In the article, he said that was a mistake. However, I think when Oprah found out his views about her book club, she took back her invitation. I forget what else it said, but this Jonathan Frazen sold an extra 500 million copies of his book, at $3 a book, giving him a 1.5 million dollar check. He said he would do the show, but now Oprah is refusing.
Oh, something else...he didn't like the fact that his first book was going to bear the Oprah Book Club Seal. He wanted just his name and the title; that it's his shining moment.
Being a literature major I didn't understand how he felt. A writer's "shining moment" is when he is able to get his/her ideas across to many people, not just one's that appreciate "high art".