Should I care what Sarah Jessica Parker thinks about books? | Emma Brockes
In a recent commentary, Emma Brockes reflects on the intersection of celebrity culture and the literary world, particularly in the context of the Booker Prize ceremony, where actress Sarah Jessica Parker took center stage as a judge. Parker’s enthusiasm for literature was on full display as she read 153 books, even doing so on the New York subway while being filmed. Her involvement has sparked a mix of admiration and skepticism within the literary community. While many celebrate Parker’s efforts to promote reading and engage with the literary scene, Brockes expresses a growing impatience with the overwhelming influence of celebrity in publishing.
Brockes acknowledges the positive aspects of celebrity engagement in literature, noting that figures like Mindy Kaling and Emma Watson have successfully used their platforms to foster a love for reading and combat declining attention spans. However, she raises concerns about the potential overshadowing of genuine literary voices by celebrity personas. The spectacle of literary figures clamoring for photos with Parker at the Booker Prize highlights the tension between authentic literary appreciation and the allure of celebrity glamour. While the involvement of high-profile personalities can undoubtedly bring attention to important literary works, Brockes questions whether this trend diminishes the value of the literary community itself, suggesting that the focus on celebrity may distract from the true essence of literature and its creators.
As the literary world grapples with these dynamics, Brockes calls for a more balanced approach that honors both the contributions of celebrities and the voices of dedicated writers. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a literary culture that prioritizes storytelling and authenticity over star power, urging readers and industry professionals alike to reflect on the implications of celebrity influence in publishing. Ultimately, while the excitement surrounding figures like Parker can invigorate the literary scene, Brockes advocates for a deeper appreciation of the art of writing that transcends the superficial allure of fame.
She swept all before her at the Booker prize ceremony, but I’m running out of patience with celebrity influence in publishing
In these turbulent times, we take small joys where we can find them. And this week we’ll take this: the spectacle of various literary people at the Booker prize award ceremony jamming themselves into photos alongside Sarah Jessica Parker. The actor – if you missed the
long piece
about it in the New York Times, or the many social media
posts
promoting Parker’s involvement – served as a judge for the Booker this year, a process that required her to read 153 books, some of them on the New York subway while being followed by a film crew. “Oh let me try!!!!” Parker had posted to Booker organisers last year, and for reasons that became obvious this week, they did.
I know what you are going to say; that anything short of full-throated support for Parker’s adorable engagement with books in general and the Booker prize in particular is just unacceptable snobbery. There is nothing wrong with an actor involving herself in literary life or using her cultural weight to promote literacy. And – it goes without saying – we are all weepingly grateful to anyone with a platform bigger than that of the dowdy stay-at-home novelist who harnesses her glamour and spotlight for good. That celebrity book clubs have become the natural PR extension of taking up animal charities or becoming a UN goodwill ambassador is, surely, something to be celebrated. Who among us can fail to welcome Mindy Kaling, or Emma Watson, or Jenna Bush Hager in their fight against dwindling attention spans and addiction to screens?
Emma Brockes is a Guardian columnist
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