Well, it's official, Jonathan Franzen's Freedom is the next book in Oprah's Book Club. After revealing what may be the worst kept secret on her show today, Franzen is now getting even more publicity--- just when you thought Franzen frenzy couldn't get any crazier.
Although Freedom was the rumored pick, it does come as somewhat of a surprise, given the history between Franzen and Oprah, which the daytime queen referred to on her show today while making the announcement.
In 2001, after Franzen's book, The Corrections was selected by Oprah for her book club, Franzen infamously made some not-so friendly comments about Oprah's Book Club, noting his ambivalence to this honor as he didn't want his book to be associated with the "schmaltzy" books that have been awarded the Oprah seal of approval. Franzen was promptly uninvited as guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
All is forgiven, and Mr. Franzen has accepted the honor the second time around, and is scheduled to appear on Oprah later this season. That is, provided he doesn't make any offensive comments in the meantime. Either way, it should be an interesting interview. Perhaps Franzen will be given the James Frey treatment.
Watch Oprah make the announcement here.
Comments
He definitely understands the power of O. Although his previous book did well even after the retracted Oprah endorsement, with things smoothed over now his newest endeavor will surely fly off the shelves. His publisher probably said something to him and he recognized the O Effect quickly.
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