Cormac McCarthy's - The Road -

[8ballrollin]

Read it over the holiday weekend. I found it to be a great read.

After starting the book someone mentioned it had been on Oprah's book club -my wife had tried to conceal this fact from me. I was discouraged at first, but read on, undaunted by Oprah’s approval.

A day after finishing it, I’ve started it again and I’m about halfway through my second read. I think it is a great piece of fiction.

Has anyone else here picked it up?

[Jeff Lebowski]

My buddy just finished it and raves about it. It is on my summer list.

Too bad McCarthy didn't show some principle and refuse to let Oprah endorse it.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

My buddy just finished it and raves about it. It is on my summer list.

Too bad McCarthy didn't show some principle and refuse to let Oprah endorse it.

On principle, I'm afraid to touch anything approved by Oprah. Next thing, you'll know they'll a made for tv movie on Oxygen.

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Next thing, you'll know they'll a made for tv movie on Oxygen.

I can almost guarantee you, for many reasons, not the least of which is the role of protagonist’s wife in the novel - it will never be on Lifetime or Oxygen.

But I know what you mean and understand your fear.

[SeattleUte]

Oprah has had a lot of great books on her list. What's the problem? People otherwise disinclined to read much are being exposed to great books. Is that a bad thing? This visceral reaction by men becasue Opra is a show followed by housewives is nonsense. So Oprah has the Midas touch; she can all by herself make a novelist rich. So what? If anything, great novelists don't get their due often enough, especially now all most people do is watch television. Do you know how many millions are made every day in our system by charlatans, as opposed to novelists who have this extraordinary, once in a million gift? McCarthy is a classic example. McCarthy spent most of his life in poverty while generating a body of work many people including the storied Harold Bloom believe is the greatest of any living American author.

[8ballrollin]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Oprah has had a lot of great books on her list. What's the problem? People otherwise disinclined to read much are being exposed to great books. Is that a bad thing? This visceral reaction by men becasue Opra is a show followed by housewives is nonsense. So Oprah has the Midas touch; she can all by herself make a novelist rich. So what? If anything, great novelists don't get their due often enough, especially now all most people do is watch television. Do you know how many millions are made every day in our system by charlatans, as opposed to novelists who have this extraordinary, once in a million gift? McCarthy is a classic example. McCarthy spent most of his life in poverty while generating a body of work many people including the storied Harold Bloom believe is the greatest of any living American author.

It's not such a bad thing. My shots at her are sometimes TIC, but other times they are in earnest because so much of what she does is way too heavy on the Saccharin for my tastes.

There is also one other element: for some reason, I'm not sure why, I've always loved finding great underground or alternative bands, but I stop listening to them or buying their music once they’re popular. Maybe it’s because I feel I lose my personal connection with the artists or the art as they/it become mainstream and possibly more commercial.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Oprah has had a lot of great books on her list. What's the problem? People otherwise disinclined to read much are being exposed to great books. Is that a bad thing? This visceral reaction by men becasue Opra is a show followed by housewives is nonsense. So Oprah has the Midas touch; she can all by herself make a novelist rich. So what? If anything, great novelists don't get their due often enough, especially now all most people do is watch television. Do you know how many millions are made every day in our system by charlatans, as opposed to novelists who have this extraordinary, once in a million gift? McCarthy is a classic example. McCarthy spent most of his life in poverty while generating a body of work many people including the storied Harold Bloom believe is the greatest of any living American author.

Quit spoiling our fun Oprah-bashing party.

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Quit spoiling our fun Oprah-bashing party.

Oprah probably gave SU a car or a free makeover or something like that.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by YOhio

Oprah probably gave SU a car or a free makeover or something like that.

I have seen his photo so I think it was probably a car.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by creekster

I have seen his photo so I think it was probably a car.

You're quite correct that I don't need it.