Oprah's Book Club

[AKAtude]

As many of you know, I'm a big Oprah fan. Anyway, last week when she was interviewing Maria Shriver on her show, she mentioned that the author of her selected book of the month turned down the offer to appear on her show to discuss the book. So, Oprah was telling everyone that bought and read the book that the show was not going to take place.

I'm a little upset by this because I feel as though this author has basically used Oprah. If he felt this way, he should not have agreed to let his book be the "book of the month" knowing that thousands of people are going to purchase it in anticipation for the show. Now, when he is scheduled to appear on the show, he backs out!

****Here is Oprah's comment from the show****

43rd Selection The Corrections

"Jonathan Franzen will not be on The Oprah Winfrey Show because he is seemingly uncomfortable and conflicted about being chosen as an Oprah's Book Club selection. It is never my intention to make anyone uncomfortable or cause anyone conflict. We have decided to skip the dinner and we're moving on to the next book."

— Oprah Winfrey
October 22, 2001


****Here is what I found on eurweb****

ALMOST ON OPRAH SHOW AUTHOR APOLOGIZES
But Ms. Winfrey ain't hearin' it.

Oprah Winfrey
(Oct. 31, 2001) *When those authors come on the Oprah Show and participate in her book club festivities it is usually a love fest through and through. But pen man Jonathan Franzen got down right "ungracious" - his own words - when asked to appear on the show.

In remarks that appeared in the Oct. 12 edition of The Oregonian, a Portland-based newspaper, Franzen said he had considered turning down the pick, which virtually guarantees hundreds of thousands of sales. He said was concerned about having the Oprah logo on the cover.

Oprah has since canceled the show segment on the author and he has, of course, apologized ... but an Oprah spokesfolk said the media diva will not reconsider.

[jali0004]

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 )

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".

[AKAtude]

When Oprah was explaining it on the show, she looked completely dumbfounded by it all as though she couldn't believe this was happening. The camera scanned the faces in the audience and the crowd looked the same way. Even I had that "what?!" look on my face at home. You could tell she wanted to say a lot more, but she handled it as tactfully as she could.

[Convinced]

From my understanding, I think that she just picks the book, assuming that the author will be appreciative. I got the impression that the author wasn't asked, and he didn't appreciate the "favor". I think it is kind of a double edged sword: the title of being her book club pick practically ensures top ten status on the best seller list, but as an English major, I can see how the "Oprah-ization" can take away from a book's literary merit.

[AKAtude]

Originally posted by Convinced
but as an English major, I can see how the "Oprah-ization" can take away from a book's literary merit.

Not trying to be a smart butt, but this has statememt got me to thinking.

If readers select the book on their own without prompting from Oprah, then I guess there wouldn't be an issue. Would it make a difference if it were an internet or local book club instead of a nationally televised one? Does that make Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" any less worthy since it became "Oprah-ized"?

You know, where is Lawrence Ross? I would like to get an author's POV.