TUCSON, Ariz. - Oprah Winfrey's soon-to-be televised discussion about the controversial novel “American Dirt” is drawing scrutiny for not inviting some of the book's harshest Latino critics. The Arizona Daily Star reports the talk show host organized her much-hyped conversation with author Jeanine Cummins on Thursday after inviting around 250 people to the Harkins Theatres Arizona Pavilions in southern Arizona. The crowd was then directed to another Tucson, Arizona, location and asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement. Critics say the book relies on stereotypes, caricatures, and material similar to another Latino writer. The discussion will appear on the next episode in Winfrey's new Apple TV+ series Oprah's Book Club.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.