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AN OPEN LETTER TO OPRAH
Dear Ms. Winfrey:
The fact that you have been able to convince women (and men) who haven't picked up a novel
since they were in grade school to read contemporary fiction is truly an awe-inspiring
thing. When I heard a woman on your show actually say that she was 42 and had never
finished a book before...well, first I was in shock (being an avid reader since I was
four, I couldn't imagine a world without books!) and then I felt inspired --- inspired
that it is never too late for anybody to discover the joys and wonders of reading.
However, I have a little bone to pick with you --- well, actually, two little bones.
Bone number one: Although you have chosen many fine writers' books to grace the shelves of
your "Library," and you have been responsible for many contemporary writers
becoming both well-known and well-compensated for their work, there is a foundation for
readers that you completely ignore --- the books that are known throughout the world as
"classics." Not just Dickens and Dostoyevsky and other white men, but James
Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston, or Djuna Barnes. You do tend to choose books by women
writers, many of whom would never get the kind of attention they receive now if they
hadn't been on your show, but many of the books are mid-list entertainments that divulge
our all-American desire for melodramatic stories that could be turned into Lifetime movies
of the week (some of these books have been turned into movies, of course, and even
produced by you!). One of your favorite books is TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee ---
wouldn't it be remarkable if you turned your audience on to that great American classic?
You were in the film version of NATIVE SON --- wouldn't audiences learn so much from that,
too? I know you don't want to choose all older titles, but a few would make for some
interesting discussions.
Furthermore, an author like Alice Hoffman has written so many wonderful books (especially
ILLUMINATION NIGHT, SEVENTH HEAVEN, and TURTLE MOON) that I was discouraged when you chose
the lesser HERE ON EARTH for readers' introduction to her work. Sue Miller's THE GOOD
MOTHER is even better than WHILE I WAS GONE --- really moving and sure to spark quite a
debate. And, of course, you produced the film version of Toni Morrison's most lasting
work, BELOVED --- why did you never choose that? It's much more accessible and moving than
PARADISE, which confounded your audience of mostly beginner readers.
Bone number two: the show that highlights the book itself. The edited version of the
discussion about the book used to center more on the gathering place and the food served
than on the book and the discussion itself. Thankfully, you have shifted some greater
attention to the book, often interviewing the author separately, a ploy that often works
better than the discussion itself. I would love to see each author appear live to discuss
their book with the audience, and although it's important to know how people have been
affected by a book, it's a thrill to hear the author speak. When you have theme shows
about movies, you never ask the audience to discuss the film with the stars --- why can't
authors be handled with the same reverence and deference? You need to let them know even
more how much their work means to the audience by letting them have their moment in the
spotlight. I mean, how wonderful is Joyce Carol Oates? How funny and droll and full of
insights? Or Toni Morrison, the grande dame of literary fiction? They make better speakers
than the people who read their books.
In the meantime, Oprah, keep on keeping on the book track. Clearly, since every book you
choose becomes a huge bestseller, your influence on your audience is gigantic. However,
please consider my suggestions --- after all, there are books that help introduce a reader
to the foundation of world literature, and it would be great to think that your audience
could conquer the mountains they pose as well.
Thank you.
--- Jana Siciliano
(c)
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