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[CCBC-Net] Franzen
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From: Jennifer Bromann <bromannj>
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 04:49:49 -0800 (PST)
I don't know the whole story, but as soon as I found out Oprah chose Franzen's book I made the comment that this could ruin his career. I had heard Studs Turkel on the radio comment on The Corrections being the next great American novel or something like that. I just couldn't see English professors teaching an Oprah book as a classic. I know those she has chosen often have been taught in the past. There is a label attached to that, besides the one on the book. Perhaps Franzen doesn't care if millions of people read and buy it. Perhaps he wanted to be considered for awards without the hype and see if he could make it on his own. True, he already did. I would have done the same thing as Franzen if I had written a great book. If it was a mediocre book, I would have let Oprah have it. The Oprah label is not a symbol of a distinguished award. Again, despite what she does for the reading habits of America, it is an endorsement of her and her show and if a person does not agree with or like the person or empire whose name is on the label then he should be able to request that it not be on the book he spent so much time perfecting to make his own. There seem to be popular books and classic/"literary" books. It is rare they can be both. Maybe Oprah is trying to make them one and the same, but I don't think everyone sees it that way yet. Just a personal thought.
If authors' comments meant dismissing children's authors, then I didn't appreciate J.K. Rowling saying she was glad no Americans were in her movie or something like that. I agree no Americans should be in it, but the comment seemed insensitive to many children since America is where she is selling most of her books.
Jennifer Bromann Head of Youth Services Prairie Trails Public Library Burbank, IL bromannj at yahoo.com
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Received on Wed 12 Dec 2001 06:49:49 AM CST
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 04:49:49 -0800 (PST)
I don't know the whole story, but as soon as I found out Oprah chose Franzen's book I made the comment that this could ruin his career. I had heard Studs Turkel on the radio comment on The Corrections being the next great American novel or something like that. I just couldn't see English professors teaching an Oprah book as a classic. I know those she has chosen often have been taught in the past. There is a label attached to that, besides the one on the book. Perhaps Franzen doesn't care if millions of people read and buy it. Perhaps he wanted to be considered for awards without the hype and see if he could make it on his own. True, he already did. I would have done the same thing as Franzen if I had written a great book. If it was a mediocre book, I would have let Oprah have it. The Oprah label is not a symbol of a distinguished award. Again, despite what she does for the reading habits of America, it is an endorsement of her and her show and if a person does not agree with or like the person or empire whose name is on the label then he should be able to request that it not be on the book he spent so much time perfecting to make his own. There seem to be popular books and classic/"literary" books. It is rare they can be both. Maybe Oprah is trying to make them one and the same, but I don't think everyone sees it that way yet. Just a personal thought.
If authors' comments meant dismissing children's authors, then I didn't appreciate J.K. Rowling saying she was glad no Americans were in her movie or something like that. I agree no Americans should be in it, but the comment seemed insensitive to many children since America is where she is selling most of her books.
Jennifer Bromann Head of Youth Services Prairie Trails Public Library Burbank, IL bromannj at yahoo.com
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com
Received on Wed 12 Dec 2001 06:49:49 AM CST
