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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 6 March 2020

Winfrey and Cummins talk “American Dirt” and lessons learned

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Every- er I remember moving to
thing about her latest book Baltimore and them doing
club pick, “American Dirt,” this whole big campaign
was a surprise for Oprah on “What is an Oprah?”
Winfrey. Praised early on as that ended up flopping,
a modern version of “The because I couldn’t live up
Grapes of Wrath,” Jeanine to what the promos and
Cummins’ novel about a publicity were. So, by the
Mexican mother and child time I actually ended up ...
fleeing to the U.S, border on the air, they were like,
was strongly criticized by “Oh, it’s just a black girl with
those who accused her of a lot of hair.” And there
perpetuating stereotypes were people mispronounc-
about Mexicans. The con- ing my name and all that
troversy also highlighted stuff. So, I couldn’t live up
the lack of diversity in pub- to it. So, I learned from that,
lishing. as you (Cummins) are now
For a taped forum on the going to learn from this. I
novel, Winfrey and Cum- learned from that. When I
mins were joined by three moved to Chicago, I said,
critics of the book, and the “I don’t want a billboard,
discussion ran so long that not a word, not a bus stop,
the finished broadcast on not a bumper sticker — I
Apple TV Plus will be rough- want nothing. I want to
ly 2 hours, double the usual go on the air. I want to do
time for one of her book whatever I’m going to do.
club programs. And, by word of mouth,
The Associated Press was In this Feb. 13, 2020 photo, Oprah Winfrey, left, and “American Dirt" author Jeanine Cummins people will hear about it
allowed to attend last appear in a conference room just above Modern Studios in Tucson, Ariz., where they taped an and they will know. I don’t
month’s taping at a studio Oprah's Book Club show about Cummins' controversial book. want anybody talking
in Tucson, Arizona, where Associated Press about it or talking me up or
Cummins wrote and re- saying anything.” And I’ve
searched part of the nov- stances. And, in fact, I felt more closely at the pub- into water if I don’t have to. operated from that since,
el. The AP later spoke with like that conversation was lishing industry and at the I don’t have to wade into you know?
Winfrey and Cummins in an productive. It was civil. I re- writers she picks: water and drown if I don’t Cummins: That takes a tre-
upstairs conference room. ally understood where they Winfrey: It has not been a have to, because, you mendous amount of self-
Here are highlights from the were coming from, the concern of mine, or of inter- know, this has taken up a confidence, as well.
AP interview: women who were there in est to me, who is publishing lot of my energy, a lot of her Winfrey: Well, it also take
___ opposition to the book. I the book. .... “Oh, I chose (Cummins’) energy, and it’s being burned.
On how Winfrey and Cum- hope that they also under- three Random House taken the attention away ___
mins felt about the show, stood where I was coming books in a row,” or “I chose from the real reason I want On how the response to
which also featured inter- from. the Harper’s (HarperCollins) people to read books. “American Dirt” might af-
views with immigrants from ____ book and then I chose an- fect whatever Cummins
Central America: On how the recent contro- other Harper’s book.” That ____ writes next:
Winfrey: I felt that it was as versy will change how Win- has never been the (focus). On whether it had occurred Cummins: Right now, the
balanced as you can be frey chooses books for her I just really go on “Do I like to Cummins that having her thing that I’m most worried
in 2 hours and 40 minutes. club: the book?” and “What is book compared to “The about or most invested in as
In the middle of taping, I Winfrey: I’m very interested the book?” And, now, I will Grapes of Wrath” might a writer is making sure that
was, like, having anxiety, in these conversations con- pay more attention to that. lead to a backlash: I don’t lose my own voice.
because I knew how many tinuing. I will be a part of I will also pay more atten- Cummins: No. I didn’t (re- You know? And making
other stories I had to get in helping them continue if I tion to who is writing it. This alize). I mean, it was all so sure that the experience of
and realized I’m not going think that I can contribute has actually caused me to exciting to me. You know? I this moment doesn’t make
to be able to tell all those something of value and of pause about who’s writing was so overwhelmed. I was me second guess or subvert
stories. And it’s so important meaning. ... And now that it: Am I going to have to a writer who came from the the stories that move in my
not to cut people in a way we’ve had this moment in spend the next two months lower-mid list and was hav- heart. So, I’m not sure what
that makes them feel that the culture, I will now open defending the writer, de- ing the moment of my life. those stories will be yet. ...
they were not heard. And, myself up to more Latinx fending the writer’s right ____ But, to be sure, what’s hap-
so, the producer comes up books. to write the book, or can On how the criticism of pened over the last three
and tells me that Apple’s We do the same thing, I we actually talk about the Cummins reminded Win- weeks has had an impact
agreed to allow this to be think, you know, other book story? frey of an experience in her on my heart and, potential-
two hours. So, then, I actu- clubs are doing — you’re I’m not going to play it safer, own life: ly, on what story may grow
ally relaxed. seeing what’s coming up, but I’m not going to wade Winfrey: As a young report- in there next.q
Cummins: I’m so grateful to what’s new, when are the
Oprah for being the one to new releases. And I just
facilitate this conversation, said to Leigh (O Magazine
because it was terrifying to books editor Leigh Haber)
walk in there knowing that the other day, “We should
I was going to, potentially, start looking at other books
be called upon to defend that didn’t do so well.”
my book, which is not a ____
thing any writer wants to How the recent controver-
do ever, under any circum- sy will make Winfrey look