The Myth of Bestseller Quality: Revisiting the Standard of Good Literature

When people decide to invest their time and money in a book, it’s often the result of a recommendation or the book’s popularity ranking. The New York Times bestseller list, for instance, serves as a benchmark for quality and relevance. However, this perception is flawed. Simply being a bestseller does not automatically equate to excellence. In this article, we will delve into the nuances of literary quality, marketing’s role, and the true meaning of a 'good' book.

Marketing’s Influence and the Deceptive Nature of Bestseller Lists

It is a common belief that a book’s success on the bestseller list indicates its literary merit. However, marketing plays a significant role in this phenomenon. When a book is heavily promoted, it can sell regardless of its intrinsic quality. For instance, the highly marketed albums in recent years show how the music industry can produce top-selling hits that lack artistic or musical depth. Similarly, in the realm of literature, bestsellers often reflect the success of marketing campaigns more than the actual literary prowess of the book.

Marketing’s Double Edged Sword

Marketing is a powerful tool, but it can also distort the relationship between quantity sold and literary quality. One example is the novel "50 Shades of Grey," which relied heavily on marketing and social media hype to become a global phenomenon. Personally, I found it challenging to read past its early chapters due to its repetitive and graphically explicit content. Likewise, many other popular books, like some of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, leave much to be desired in terms of literary quality.

The Definition of a 'Good' Book

The term 'good' in literature can be subjective and multifaceted. A book can be considered good if it is:

Easily readable and free from major grammatical errors. Completely unoffensive and suitable for a wide audience. One that can offer a meaningful and transformative experience to the reader. Something that will stand the test of time and become an instant classic.

While many bestsellers may meet the first two criteria, few can satisfy the latter two. For a book to truly be considered a masterpiece, it needs to have a lasting impact on its readers and potentially even future generations. Books like "Naked Came the Stranger" or classics like "Pride and Prejudice" have stood the test of time and continue to be admired for their literary significance.

Quality Over Quantity

Ultimately, the definition of a 'good' book goes beyond mere popularity. Quality should be the guiding principle, rather than the number of copies sold or the prestige of literary awards. Many bestsellers, while commercially successful, lack the depth and complexity that define high-quality literature. It’s important to recognize that the intelligence and discernment of readers should not be underestimated.

Historical Perspectives: Barnum's Wisdom

To further illustrate this point, let us turn to an age-old adage. The famous quote by P.T. Barnum, “nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people,” highlights the importance of recognizing the inherent wisdom and discernment of the general public. Borrowing from this, we can also apply it to books. Just as people can often be manipulated by marketing, they can equally discern the value of a book when they read it, rather than being swayed by popularity rankings.

A deeper look reveals that this principle extends to more than just books. Even prestigious literary prizes and awards do not always guarantee the quality of a book. As P.T. Barnum suggests, underestimating the intelligence of the public can lead to a loss, but overestimating it in the opposite direction—assuming books must be good just because they are bestsellers—can also be a mistake.