Latest news with #EmpireFalls
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oprah Winfrey congratulates author Richard Russo, who doesn't recognize her voice
"And I missed your name," Russo said several minutes into their conversation. Oprah Winfrey's famous voice failed her recently. When she called Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo to share the good news that his 2007 book Bridge of Sighs had been selected for Oprah's Book Club this month, Russo didn't recognize who was on the line. The club's official Instagram shared a video Wednesday of the media mogul giving Russo the kind of call that authors dream of, the kind that catapults a title onto the best-sellers list overnight. Of course, Russo's book was already a bestseller when it was released, but that didn't seem to have anything to do with why he hadn't recognized her. And he seemed to be appreciative of her kind words, even if he didn't realize that the caller is one of the more powerful people in publishing. Russo somehow missed the part early on in their exchange when she said it was "Oprah Winfrey calling." "I'm calling to tell you that I've loved your work since Empire Falls," she said of the 2001 novel that won the Pulitzer. "I just recently came across Bridge of Sighs. And I loved it so much! So anyway, we're gonna choose it for Book Club this summer. I would be delighted to have a conversation with you about it." The former talk show host explained that there would be an event in which they discussed the book — which she's described as a story of "romance" and "epic family drama" — as well. Russo, who's written more than a dozen books, appeared to be as happy as if anyone else had said this to him. "Well, that's wonderful!" he answered. "Anytime anyone compliments me on that book, since it doesn't happen very often, I'm always delighted to hear it." Five more minutes went by, according to her official Instagram the end of the conversation, Russo thanked the person he was speaking with and said, "And I missed your name." "It's Oprah," the Emmy winner answered. "Oprah Winfrey." He understood then. "Oprah?" Russo said before chuckling. "I'm so embarrassed." She was asking aloud if she hadn't said her name — she did — and then she told him not to be embarrassed. Russo was able to collect himself: "I will really look forward to this." Watch Russo's eventual conversation about the book with Oprah above. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Oprah Winfrey picks Richard Russo's 'Bridge of Sighs' for her book club
NEW YORK, Aug 6, (AP): Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo is the latest author to be welcomed into the inner circle of Oprah Winfrey's book club picks. Winfrey announced Tuesday that she had selected Russo's "Bridge of Sighs,' a 2007 novel centered in a rural New York community. Russo has set much of his work in small, Northeastern towns, including "Nobody's Fool,' later adapted into a movie of the same name that starred Paul Newman; and "Empire Falls,' winner of the Pulitzer in 2002 and the basis for an Emmy-winning HBO series that featured Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward. Winfrey often chooses new books for her club, but has at times looked to older releases, from Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye' to John Steinbeck's "East of Eden.' "It is, of course, a profound honor to be chosen for Oprah's Book Club,' Russo said in a statement. "But to be chosen for a novel written two decades earlier? A book that will introduce a whole new generation of readers to my work? How special is that?' A conversation between Winfrey and Russo, held recently at a Starbucks in Seattle, can be seen on Winfrey's YouTube channel and on other outlets where podcasts are aired. Starbucks is the current partner for Winfrey's book club, which she founded in 1996. On Tuesday, Winfrey issued a statement praising "Bridge of Sighs' as a "classic summer read,' with "romance, unrequited love, life-long friendships, and of course - epic family drama.'
Toronto Star
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Oprah Winfrey picks Richard Russo's ‘Bridge of Sighs' for her book club
NEW YORK (AP) — Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo i s the latest author to be welcomed into the inner circle of Oprah Winfrey book club picks. Winfrey announced Tuesday that she had selected Russo's 'Bridge of Sighs,' a 2007 novel centered in a rural New York community. Russo has set much of his work in small, Northeastern towns, including 'Nobody's Fool,' later adapted into a movie of the same name that starred Paul Newman; and 'Empire Falls,' winner of the Pulitzer in 2002 and the basis for an Emmy-winning HBO series that featured Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Oprah Winfrey picks Richard Russo's ‘Bridge of Sighs' for her book club
NEW YORK (AP) — Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo i s the latest author to be welcomed into the inner circle of Oprah Winfrey book club picks. Winfrey announced Tuesday that she had selected Russo's 'Bridge of Sighs,' a 2007 novel centered in a rural New York community. Russo has set much of his work in small, Northeastern towns, including 'Nobody's Fool,' later adapted into a movie of the same name that starred Paul Newman; and 'Empire Falls,' winner of the Pulitzer in 2002 and the basis for an Emmy-winning HBO series that featured Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward. Winfrey often chooses new books for her club, but has at times looked to older releases, from Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye' to John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden.' 'It is, of course, a profound honor to be chosen for Oprah's Book Club,' Russo said in a statement. 'But to be chosen for a novel written two decades earlier? A book that will introduce a whole new generation of readers to my work? How special is that?' A conversation between Winfrey and Russo, held recently at a Starbucks in Seattle, can be seen on Winfrey's YouTube channel and on other outlets where podcasts are aired. Starbucks is the current partner for Winfrey's book club, which she founded in 1996. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. On Tuesday, Winfrey issued a statement praising 'Bridge of Sighs' as a 'classic summer read,' with 'romance, unrequited love, life-long friendships, and of course — epic family drama.' 'If you're a fan of Richard Russo or discovering him for the first time, here's your opportunity to read one of America's most beloved writers,' she added.
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
Oprah Winfrey picks Richard Russo's 'Bridge of Sighs' for her book club
NEW YORK -- Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo i s the latest author to be welcomed into the inner circle of Oprah Winfrey book club picks. Winfrey announced Tuesday that she had selected Russo's 'Bridge of Sighs,' a 2007 novel centered in a rural New York community. Russo has set much of his work in small, Northeastern towns, including 'Nobody's Fool,' later adapted into a movie of the same name that starred Paul Newman; and 'Empire Falls,' winner of the Pulitzer in 2002 and the basis for an Emmy-winning HBO series that featured Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward. Winfrey often chooses new books for her club, but has at times looked to older releases, from Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye' to John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden.' 'It is, of course, a profound honor to be chosen for Oprah's Book Club,' Russo said in a statement. 'But to be chosen for a novel written two decades earlier? A book that will introduce a whole new generation of readers to my work? How special is that?' A conversation between Winfrey and Russo, held recently at a Starbucks in Seattle, can be seen on Winfrey's YouTube channel and on other outlets where podcasts are aired. Starbucks is the current partner for Winfrey's book club, which she founded in 1996. On Tuesday, Winfrey issued a statement praising 'Bridge of Sighs' as a 'classic summer read,' with "romance, unrequited love, life-long friendships, and of course — epic family drama.' 'If you're a fan of Richard Russo or discovering him for the first time, here's your opportunity to read one of America's most beloved writers,' she added.
