The Works of James Frey

[ahenobarbus]

Just a few days ago I considered starting a thread on Oprah's recent book club selection after I read several Amazon reviews questioning its veracity. I should have done it because the Smoking Gun just came out with a big report debunking it.

And here's a hilarious review of the book. Fat otter indeed!

[shawnalanne]

Thanks for the link. It looked like annoying crap to me from the get go. I'm not sure if it was the back of the book or the Oprah rec that turned me off, but turned off I was.

It's authors like this that totally tick me off. I spent years debating the nature of reality when writing personal memoir. (I came to the conclusion that reality is subjective but we can be as honest with ourselves as possible when writing.) It was and is something I take completely seriously. Especially since, for the majority of us, our lives cannot be documented with police records. So I've had to think seriously about memory and reality. And I came to this conclusion: Everyone's reality is different. Ya, I know it is simple, but hey, I'm sorta slow. When I write of personal stuff, I need to be as true to the reality of a situation as I know how to. That means I don't frigging lie about basic facts. So I'm furious to see a 'respected' writer just out and out lie. This makes it even more difficult for creative non-fictionists' to be taken seriously.

What a frigging a-hole.

[heyalice]

Does anyone remember when the book was first released and he came out swinging against Rick Moody and Jonathan Franzen and basically declared himself the greatest writer EVER? Complete fuckwittage.

[Maddiemoo]

I think he and the guy who wrote "A Child Called It" should get together and go bowling.

[gemstone]

I always thought it was fake because it just sounded too much like a 14 year old bragging about how much they could drink. I've done my own share of partying and run with some crazy circles and I just don't think you could do as many drugs in the amount of time listed and not die from one thing or another.

ETA: Madiemoo, love The Breakfast Club reference.

[kostgard]

I haven't read the book, but he was giving out weird vibes on Oprah. I just couldn't figure out what his deal was.

On "A Child Called 'It'" - a co-worker of mine was reading it on a plane back from a business trip we were all on and was moved to tears (both her parents were alcoholics and she had a not-exactly-pretty childhood and was probably over-identifying with the book a bit). I just didn't have the heart to tell her that it wasn't real.

[vegasusa555]

On "A Child Called 'It'" - a co-worker of mine was reading it on a plane back from a business trip we were all on and was moved to tears (both her parents were alcoholics and she had a not-exactly-pretty childhood and was probably over-identifying with the book a bit). I just didn't have the heart to tell her that it wasn't real.

*cue record scratch*

Jigga what?! Are you serious? That is so fucked up man, I cried reading that book. If I ever see that guy, i'm going to kick his ass just like his mom did (or didn't).

Topic: Even though the book is fake, is AMLP any good at least? I haven't read it yet.

[Deleted]

I haven't read the book, but he was giving out weird vibes on Oprah. I just couldn't figure out what his deal was.

I felt that way too kostgard! Especially when he was interacting with the chick that was inspired to enter rehab by his book. He just seemed very weasly to me. I kept thinking it was because he knew his little bit about "holding on" was pretty basic counseling 101 speak and nothing more. (That is, he knew his insights weren't particularly original or thought provoking and he was just damn lucky to be getting the attention he was getting.) It never crossed my mind that the dude had lied about his life story. It was actually pretty smart of him to tap into that whole victim-fuck-up-identification thing that permeates our culture. People eat those kind of stories up. Everyone wants to feel understood.

[huntergrayson]

Haven't read either, but my friend in class said that "My Friend Leonard" was better than what she read of AMLP.

Between this and JT LeRoy being a total fabrication, it's fake writer day!

I wonder if Oprah is gonna address this at all. Hmm, maybe she can go cry into her Hermes or call up Jonathan Franzen. Oh, wait.

[Deleted]

maddiemoo said:

I think he and the guy who wrote "A Child Called It" should get together and go bowling.

And take along Augusten Burroughs.