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June 18, 2003

Oprahfied

The book that brought Oprah’s book club back: East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

Anyone ever give any thought to why she decided to go with classics this time around? Could it possibly have something to do with dead authors not being able to object to the Oprah seal of approval being prominently featured on the cover? I wonder if Franzen included an essay on alienating the biggest mover of books who ever lived in his latest, How to Be Alone.

marydell at 8:21 PM
Permalink | Comments (2)



comments

My guess: Dead authors can't lobby to have their books selected. Oprah did say the pressure to select new books was getting to be too much, and I'd guess that at least part of that had to do with PR people, agents, authors, and others sending her books and more. And who can blame them? Her selection guaranteed a bestseller.

Andy | June 19, 2003 1:31 AM

Good guess as well. The sad thing is that I've shied away from her book selections only because she picked them. That, and I hate to be seen on the subway holding something with a big O on it.

Truth is, most of her picks are pretty good. East of Eden is a fascinating retelling of the Cain and Abel story and I did enjoy The Poisonwood Bible when we discussed it.

marydell | June 20, 2003 9:14 PM
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