The literary event of the month was the Oprah Winfrey/Jonathan Franzen brouhaha. Oprah chose Franzen's book "The Corrections" for her book club; after accepting the honor, Franzen gave several interviews complaining about the Oprah label that would be affixed to his book, and the kind of readers the label was likely to attract; and Winfrey decided to cancel Franzen's appearance on her show, as well as a ceremonial dinner to honor the choice.

Around the water coolers of publishing offices, insiders whispered that Franzen's real fear was that the deliberations of the National Book Award jury might be adversely affected by the Oprah award, snooty panelists being notoriously reluctant to vote for popular favorites.

TIC asked some members of the Bay Area literary community to weigh in, but many of them -- especially writers who foresaw publishing books that Winfrey might like -- were skittish about having their names attached to their comments.

Among those who would talk on the record, Oakley Hall, a founder of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, said, "I can understand his reservations, but his book's going to sell a million copies anyway." Hall, whose newest novel is "Ambrose Bierce and the Death of Kings," called Winfrey "a fine person. Apparently no one can get to her to sway her opinions. I wish she'd take my book or Louis' " (Hall's son-in-law is the novelist Louis B. Jones). As to Franzen, "I think he sounded somewhat snotty. But then he can afford to be snotty."

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Herbert Gold, whose last novel was "Daughter Mine," said he is in the middle of reading "The Corrections." "I have been saying jokingly to people that I never thought I would be loving a book that was a No. 1 best-seller and an Oprah selection. I've been carrying the book around and I put a Christmas seal over the Oprah seal."

Gold expressed a certain sympathy for Franzen's difficulties dealing with success. "The guy no doubt is having an incredible ride emotionally." On the other hand, "If Oprah were to select one of my books, I would incline my head with gratitude. I don't think he should bite her hand."

Another writer was impressed by Franzen's media savvy. "If he had a PR person guiding him through this, they couldn't have done a better job. He gets the Oprah seal on his book and he doesn't have to deal with Oprah in the bargain. He can seem to be firmly planted on the high moral ground. . . . But I think Oprah has done a fantastic job for the book trade. How can you complain about someone who's getting people to buy books?"

Finally, said one novelist, Franzen is typical of people who work in rooms by themselves, carried away by their own powers. "As soon as I saw him on 'Nightline' commenting on Sept. 11, I thought somebody's got to do something about that man."

THE PRICE OF PATRIOTISM: Organizers of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars' fund-raising banquet honoring Dianne Feinstein and Richard Goldman -- at the Fairmont on Nov. 3 -- were so moved by the events of Sept. 11 that they thought it would be a good idea to change the event's color scheme to red, white and blue.

Turned out that renting 30 tablecloths in those colors, for 30 tables of 10 each, would cost an additional $650. A floral echo of that color scheme would involve spraying carnations blue for the centerpieces. No thanks; patriotism does have its limits.

SUPPORT SYSTEMS: Robert Redford kills two birds with one stone -- bad expression for a good deed -- on Nov. 15 when he'll attend a Pan Pacific Hotel reception/cocktail party honoring the art of Sibylle "Billy" Szaggars, featured in a Master Series of art shows. Szaggars has been Redford's girlfriend for seven years. Ten percent of the sale of her works will go to the Natural Resources Defense Council (Redford sits on the council's board).

DRINKING WELL IS THE BEST REVENGE

"Stashes of water bottles are scattered throughout the house, their labels conspicuously removed to help the serenity of the setting."

-- Bazaar magazine describes Donna Karan's house.
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