When did the BBC launch The Big Read survey?
The BBC launched The Big Read in 2003 to determine the nation's best-loved novel through a public vote. This year-long survey became the biggest single test of public reading taste to date.
The BBC launched The Big Read in 2003 to determine the nation's best-loved novel through a public vote. This year-long survey became the biggest single test of public reading taste to date.
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings won first place in the final tally. J.K. Rowling dominated the top twenty-five with multiple entries including Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Over three-quarters of a million votes were received from the British public during the campaign. These submissions came through web portals, text messages, and traditional telephone calls.
Terry Pratchett achieved the highest number of appearances on the final Top 200 list with fifteen books. Jacqueline Wilson followed closely behind with fourteen titles included in the survey results.
Similar literary surveys were subsequently conducted in Australia, Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria, Latvia, and the United States. My Favourite Book appeared in Australia while Das große Lesen took place in Germany.