Many of us remember the controversy stirred up last year by an up and coming writer named James Frey. The best-selling author came under fire when he was accused of fabricating many details in his so-called memoir “A Million Little Pieces”.
One of many tall tales the author told was that he spent 87 days behind bars for an altercation he had with a police officer while high on crack and intoxicated. A popular media website released evidence that this account was entirely false and James Frey spent a few hours at a police station after a minor traffic accident.
Perhaps the most damaging and memorable blows to James Frey’s memoir was the interview he gave Oprah Winfrey after allegations were brought up against the book’s credibility. Winfrey voiced the anger and betrayal she felt toward Frey after including “A Million Little Pieces” in her television book club as a must read.
Though many thought Frey would never be published again after such a shameful media frenzy played out around him last year, this theory has recently been proven wrong. Harper Collins has struck a deal with James Frey to publish his new book, “Bright Shiny Morning” to be released in the summer of 2008.
The deal Harper Collins struck is probably not as much of a gamble as one may think. Frey’s book agent is quoted in a New York Times article as saying, “quite literally every house in New York City called and asked to see it.”
What do you think of the events that took place last year surrounding James Frey’s falsified memoir?
Do you think you will read James Frey’s new book knowing what you know of his past?
I would be interested to read it. He may have exaggerated the truth or completely fabricated parts of A Million Little Pieces, in which case it should have been labeled as "faction," however, that doesn't change the fact that it's brilliantly written, engrossing and very deeply touches on the subject of alcohol abuse and drug addiction. Whether you choose to believe that Frey fabricated the entire book, told his story in the best way he knew how, or did something in between, it's a powerful book. I happen to believe that in every work of fiction one can find truths, and in every work of non-fiction, there's the author's story, everyone else's story and, of course, the truth.
domesticgoddess_1::
on Mar 15, 2008
I don't care if a book is fiction or non-fiction as I will read both. But don't insult my intelligence by pushing this book off as true life, as something I can identify with, and then blow the whole door of lies wide open. That was an awful and disrespectful thing the author did.
jhill0420::
on May 24, 2008
I enjoyed the style in which James Frey wrote A Million Little Pieces. I will probably give the second book a chance. But, I am certainly not looking forward to it as much now due to the problems with the first book.
mamah::
on Jul 11, 2008
I will read James Frey's new book. A Million Little Pieces was very well written, and while there were falsehoods, I believe his overall experiences and impressions sounded pretty accurate. As an alumni of a treatment facility, I realize now after being sober for a while that a lot of my memories are not really grounded in reality. The mind is a tricky thing when clouded with stress and coming off a or many mind-altering substances. What I got from the book was hope.
rmc677::
on Aug 06, 2008
I definitely can't say I will read it---
But just the hype behind the first book and the falsehoods...People will buy it an read it just to see what 'Lies' he put into this book.
It's just like a gorry accident....you don't want to see it, can't believe it really happened, but you have to look to know for yourself....
kyhomebody::
on Nov 19, 2008
i can't stand people who must have fame at any cost. iwon't read his books unles he wants towrite one called"oprah busted me on national tv" memoirs of a shameless lying loser.
oatw13::
on Feb 20, 2009
I read the book and I was not surprised to find out that parts of it were fabricated. It is still a decent depiction of a person living with addiction. If you are interested in what a person in the midst of addiction goes through then I would recommend it. Most people don't tend to like books that get into the nitty gritty. I do. I will read the next book, too.
It's a shame he felt he had to publish the book as nonfiction. It is just as powerful as a work of fiction, loosely based on his life.
AYoung::
on Feb 25, 2009
The reason behind most of the outrage at Frey was that he presented "pieces" as truth. People bought it based on that fact and believed the entire book to be true. His credibility as a non-fiction writer is destroyed. However, if the book is fiction, a novel, then that is another matter entirely. If I know the story is made up before, there is no 'betrayal' when I hear news outlets (or Oprah) reporting such. I'll give the book a go if its listed as fiction.
sciencecondom::
on May 30, 2009
im first gonna read my bible before i read his book, cause i want to see what the lord says about things like this. then i will read his book.
