A Defense of George Costanza’s Book Club Experience in “The Couch” Episode
“The Couch” episode (season 5, episode 6) from Seinfeld is a classic. Like most Seinfeld episodes, “The Couch” still holds up, and broaches on many controversial topics that are still relevant today. If you’ve seen the episode, then you are aware of what we’re talking about. An issue that is more relevant today then ever before, and one of extreme importance. That of course is the stigma and negative perception of book clubs. While we won’t ever be able to erase these negative stereotypes, the least we can do is defend George and his experience.
We present to you a defense of George Costanza’s Book Club experience:
Poor Book Choice
Let’s start out by pointing out the obvious, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a poor book selection. Written in the 1950’s, a 3.9 on Good Reads, BAT is just not a book you get excited about. Have I read it and can give an informed opinion on it? No, just like George, I am taking a stand. Plus, George says it’s only 90 pages, but in reality it’s between 140-194 pages depending on which copy you get (which if you’re not listening via an audiobook – might as well be War & Peace).
When picking a book for a book club you want a good mix of genres, modern vs classics, and lengths. The objectively picture perfect mix can be found here.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is not on any ‘top classic’ book lists. Plus, it’s not a good look when the book is the 3rd most popular/best version of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” – top 2 obviously being:
#1 – Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Deep Blue Something
#2 – This Poster by Every Girls College Door Room
False Sense of Superiority
We’ve all been here. Half the reason I read books is to get that sense of superiority. Don’t even get me started about the rush I get when I discover a book I’ve read is being made into a movie. I have so many “the book was better” and “that was different from the book” ‘s chambered it’d make your head spin. Book clubs are like cross fit in that way. How do you know someone is in a book club/cross fit? Don’t worry we’ll tell you, and also we’ll be super jacked and good looking.
So should we blame George for initially thinking he’d be smarter than Jerry? Absolutely not, that’s just part of the game. This reminds me – I need to write a blog on “Books that will Make You Feel Smarter than Everyone” (You should have seen the high I felt after finishing Becoming). Your suggestions are welcome. What George should have done is not told Jerry that he watched the movie and pretended he read the book and held that over him forever, just like he did when he ‘won’ The Contest.
Feelings of Inferiority
This is also a natural feeling when apart of a book club. You ever read a book that is a bit more sophisticated, something above a Young Adult level? Me either, but apparently they make books for more advanced reading levels. If you’ve listened to any of our podcast episodes you’ll be keenly aware that I may or mayn’t interpret certain aspects of books incorrectly or in some cases just make things up.
When you’re facing the same challenge as George, here is some advice: First, always speak in generalities. I don’t know anything about Breakfast at Tiffany’s but apparently it takes place in Upper East Side of Manhattan. Great – I’ll just reference New York a bunch and how I can’t image living there in the 50’s and how apartment prices are so absurd, and how about that Yankees lineup during that era? Nextly, always defend yourself with “that’s how I interpreted it.” Be super defensive reading is like art it can be interpreted many different ways (if only my English teachers understood this). Even go on the attack if you need to. A “you’re too smart to think that way” is undefeated in arguments so far.
Conclusion
George’s Costanza’s Book Club experience is one that is unfortunately too common. Here at the Buddy Book Club we leave you with a few parting reminders 1) Make sure your book club picks a good book – check our Top 10 Favorite, persuade, argue, and insult until you get your way 2) Feeling of superiority is okay, you are superior 3) Bury any feelings of inferiority – just remember, it’s not a lie if you believe it.
Sick of feeling like George? Join the club. Literally join the Buddy Book Club. Judgement free zone here, we don’t even care if you read the book as long as you have a strong opinion. Check out our episodes here or our other super coherent blogs here.
