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A review by lirael
Reading with Oprah: The Book Club That Changed America by Kathleen Rooney
4.0
I used to pooh-pooh Oprah's Reading Club like so many others, and now I think it's great that she promotes books and reading. Though after reading this balanced and critical examination of this TV book club, I still think it's positive since Oprah stirs up many dormant readers to read again, but the club has much room for improvement.
This book brings up the issue of highbrow vs. lowbrow culture, the problem of discussing literature through the medium of television, and the Oprah vs. Jonathan Franzen deal.
The author looks at the disturbing way that Oprah projects her own story onto every narrative presented--though she thinks Oprah's selections are generally worthwhile, she is concerned by how Oprah seems to publicly read each book as a self-help guide, and which serves as a poor and one-dimensional model for other readers.
This book brings up the issue of highbrow vs. lowbrow culture, the problem of discussing literature through the medium of television, and the Oprah vs. Jonathan Franzen deal.
The author looks at the disturbing way that Oprah projects her own story onto every narrative presented--though she thinks Oprah's selections are generally worthwhile, she is concerned by how Oprah seems to publicly read each book as a self-help guide, and which serves as a poor and one-dimensional model for other readers.