From: Denise I. Matulka <dimatulka>
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 11:11:40 +0800

Perhaps Edie is right. Or perhaps Franzen should have retained that self?facing and thoughtfulness when "judging" Oprah readers. Speaking of Oprah readers: I think Oprah has raised the the literary reading level of the "general America reading public" and that they were ready for Franzen. Franzen had an opportunity to do so and instead chose to insult them by assuming they were not the right readers for his book. I think he insulted the other authors Oprah has selected as well as the American reading public.....

I worked at a public library circulation desk for over five years, I watched Danielle Steel, John Grisham, and the other bestselling writers fly off the shelves. I had already discovered the likes of Alice Hoffman, Kaye Gibbons, and Anita Shreve and longed to share these books. I did make suggestions, but what is the thoughtful suggestions of a lone person checking out books compared to Oprah Winfrey? Oh that I could have the influence Oprah has had to enrich the reading of patrons.

Here is another question? Would we tolerate Franzen's attitude in a children's or young adult author?

Denise

Edie_Ching at cathedral.org wrote:
Received on Mon 10 Dec 2001 09:11:40 PM CST