Greatest Books Ever? No, It Was Just Terrible TV; BBC Literature Shortlist 'Dull and Puerile'

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Byline: ROY HATTERSLEY

A BBC shortlist of Britain's 21 favourite books has been attacked as 'dull' and 'puerile'.

Critics suggest several of the novels were chosen not because people read them, but because they enjoyed the screen versions.

The list, from a poll of 140,000 BBC viewers, includes Harry Potter and Winnie the Pooh. Most of the novels have been adapted for cinema or television.

Last night, poet and critic Michael Horovitz said: 'I thought the choices were predictable and reflect the way commerce and television affect our reading habits. I suppose it's inevitable.' Lloyd Evans, poetry editor of the Spectator, said he was very surprised to see Gone with the Wind on the list.

'I don't think I …