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James Frey's comeuppance
If you search for "James Frey fabrication" in Google, my Jan. 11 blog post is the top result. Which is why a dozen people have begun an impromptu dialogue there both attacking and defending him. I just weighed in, too, after watching "Larry King Live" and "Anderson Cooper 360" on CNN tonight, which were devoted to Oprah Winfrey's treatment of Frey on her show today. The NY Times covers the slapdown here.
Yes, his fabrications and lies disappointed and hurt her, but today's segment was less a mea culpa than a harsh public destruction of a talented if misguided author.
Hours after the show aired, the segment was already incorporated into Wikipedia's entry on James Frey, complete with an AP photo (reposted above). I agree with Oprah's points, but this shouldn't really be about how betrayed she now feels (after two weeks of being rebuked in the nation's op-ed pages). This is about Frey, and the genre of memoir writing, and the betrayal of those in recovery programs.
January 26, 2006 at 11:10 PM in Books, Current Affairs | Permalink
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Comments
I just want to say that I was up until recently a supporter and follower of james frey. I just feel like from on addict to another what he did was horribly wrong and will effect millions. To fabricate a book intending to give addicts some kind of false hope is wrong. Being an addict if he ever really was to target such a vulnerable group of people is awful. I tried to support him but my views have changed. I hope he will realize that he initially helped alot of people get clean and probably now is guiding people to relapse. You should really feel like shit James Frey how dare you.
Posted by: Andrea at Jan 31, 2006 9:22:19 AM
I just want to say that I was up until recently a supporter and follower of james frey. I just feel like from one former addict to another what he did was horribly wrong and will effect millions. To fabricate a book intending to give addicts some kind of false hope is wrong. Being an addict if he ever really was to target such a vulnerable group of people is awful. I tried to support him but my views have changed. I hope he will realize that he initially helped alot of people get clean and probably now is guiding people to relapse. You should really feel like shit James Frey how dare you.
Posted by: Andrea at Jan 31, 2006 9:24:25 AM
I really wish that James had indeed told Oprah that Lilly was not real, yes everyone would have just lost it on Jimmy but..... what's worse Lilly
not existing or Lilly having committed suicide while James was busy not being in jail. People are sticking up for this guy? He would not make a good sponsor.
P.S... I really wan't to know the truth about this Lilly-Where was James? Screw his greater truth, what is this truth?
Posted by: Ron at Feb 1, 2006 3:20:50 PM
A Million Little Pieces is one long valentine from James Frey to himself. His use of an uber-macho, fantasy alter-ego in place of his own white-bread pedestrian self is pathetic, but hardly unique in our "bigger is better" culture. What was repulsive and inexcusable were his intimations that 12 step recovery tools were for weak people unable to fully admit their culpability.
What about he and Random House donating some of their profits to REAL recovering addicts? AND, he should be legally bound from using the phrase "fearless moral inventory" until there's proof that he has any idea what that is!
Posted by: Susan at Feb 26, 2006 4:25:28 AM
Im now a supporter of james...I dont care whats real and whats not.I dont need to defend him cause he is not some convict,and U ppl are treating him like one..ppl get a job..
Posted by: rhonchamo at Mar 29, 2006 8:49:18 AM
