jobinsonlis's review against another edition
3.0
I'm torn when it comes to rating this book because I mostly agreed with the author and that makes me like her because I'm a compulsive narcissist. So I should give her at least a four. However I didn't think that the different pieces of the book fit together very well (especially the epilogue) and I was frankly bored by her tangents about television, politics, and blogs. She would start off with a good point and then beat it to death with her earnestness. Of course the biggest problem could be that I really don't have an opinion about Oprah's Book Club or Oprah herself. I suppose I like her but I don't really think about her at all. The most passion I've ever felt was towards A New Earth, her pseudo-Buddhist pick in 2008, and that passion was largely irritation directed at the publishers for not meeting the huge demand the selection generated. I got really tired of people asking about it.
lirael's review against another edition
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.
raehink's review
3.0
Many parts of this book were interesting. I especially liked the discussion about elitist reading...high brow versus low brow culture. I was also intrigued with Rooney's chapter on the impact of television on reading. All in all, pretty good stuff. Decent bibliography too.
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