Happy Friday to fellow bloggers~
Pls see right side of my blog for link to article on James Frey and Oprah's shock about finding out his book was based on lies. I'm curious to know what writers think about this. We all know that anecdotes sometimes stretch the truth for better reading, but memoirs? And I'd say this is a case where the truth hasn't been stretched but not told at all. Are there any laws to this fraudulent behavior or is it okay to betray millions?
I'm not saying he should be prosecuted even if there is a statute to uphold, but I'm curious anyway. If I bought and read a book that I believed was the truth and then found out it was a lie, I'd be hopping mad. I haven't read his book thankfully.
What say you?
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8 comments:
I dare say that he has probably ended his writing career.
That was a big oops.
You get on Oprah's naughty list, and you dont sell many more books.
Hi Dave,
Forgot to comment on this. Sometimes I think that controversy only makes a person more successful in our society when it relates to this kind of thing.
I guess we'll find out if he has real talent, won't we?
Part of me wants to read the book now-see, what I mean? :)
Have a great day!
A Mom's perspective:
While I am not a professional writer, I am the mother of an adult child who has been struggling with addictions for a very long time. My years of experience have given me a "professional" viewpoint on all of this controversy. I am overwhelmed with sadness that the focus of this book has been displaced. Anyone who loves an addict, soon discovers that when a life is out of control--the details are always suspicious. When you love someone whose life is out of control, you soon learn that complete control and tight accuracy is an unreasonable expectation.
So you lift your focus off the dirty details of life (because your heart and your back are broken from the view) and you lift your sights to the HOPE of the future. Regarding the details of Lilly's suicide; I did not need to know the specifics to feel the tragedy of a lost life. Whether James was in jail for 3 hours or 3 months does not alter the pain of incarceration.
I do not feel cheated by Frey's embellishments; I would have been cheated if I had not been able to read the essence of his message: Survival, determination, hope, victory. Certainly, by labeling this book, "based on a true story" would have alleviated this drama, I still believe that the weight of his story far outweighs the controversy of it. You see, as the mother of a deeply loved adult addict, I rue the day society attacks those who make mistakes with such a vengance that they lose any motivation to fight their way out. Where is the grace in this?
Dear Diane,
What would we do without our "mothers?" Very nicely said.
I have been around a few "addicts" myself, and I've learned to lower my expectations and be happy for a recovering addict, that's for sure.
But when an author's lies are told and sold to millions, shouldn't that person take responsibility for the wrong, whether he or she has (had) personal problems or not?
While I don't think Frey is a harm to society, I don't agree with what he did. And, I do think he should take responsibility for it so that he learns from his mistake, which is what he is doing.
However, you have given me a different way to look at it and for that, I thank you.
Pls stop by again!
-Lisa
Lisa,
This has caused great discussion regarding the differing genre's of literature. I'm not sure that I believe that Frey has betrayed anyone--other than his own memory. Not being in the publishing business, I don't know what will happen to him--other than being dropped by his publisher if they see fit. Based on his latest message on www.bigjimindustries.com, I believe he has been forever affected by this. He has admitted to a certain number of discrepancies and has publicly apologized for any inaccuracies.
We certainly live in a world of distortions--while reading the latest Associated Press release regarding Frey's latest announcement...they used the headline "James Frey admits to a million little lies." Hardly truthful. I think we need to finetune the standards for everyone.
I appreciate your generous spirit in your reply. I look forward to stopping in again--great blog!
Hi Diane:
You're right. At times, the press can 'slightly' exaggerate the truth as well. But I listened to part of Frey's interview with Oprah and while I understand some of the discrepancies, there were just a few that didn't wash with me. The editing/revising process of a book is a very lengthy one and that's what bothers me the most. He had plenty of time to refer to family and friends and his 'memory' to make his memoir, as accurate as possible. As you said yourself, he could have (should have) changed the genre.
We have prisons full of addicts who are paying for the consequences of their actions. Maybe a poor analogy to this situation but I can't help think about it this way. Not saying the poor man should go to prison! Obviously not. What crime was committed? Fraud? I don't know...I just don't.
But with all of that being said, I like your attitude. There should be a certain amount of understanding with someone who is sick (or has been sick). There lies the controversy-no pun intended.
We can, as a society, be extremely tough on certain people while others seem to escape it somehow. I don't quite understand that. Maybe one shouldn't tick off one of the wealthiest ladies ;)
We're all just trying to get through this thing called life.
Thanks again, Diane. You aren't a writer? You write very well and with passion. I like that.
Do you have a blog?? I'd love to see it. If you link to my site from your blog, you'll have won the Feb. contest! Just let me know.
Have a good one,
-L
Lisa, Good Morning. Love a good dialogue! Your points are well taken. Perhaps I am hypersensitve to this entire controversy because I have an adult child of my own--lost in addiction. There is nothing organized or predictable about the chaos of addiction--the only thing that is predictable is that it remains unpredictable! So my mother's heart brings an understanding to this whole dilemma that does not focus so much on the details. As I have said many times, with an addict--the details are always suspicious. Hence, I tend to read with an underlining theme of "reader beware." I look at the bigger picture--one of hope, recovery, and growth.
There's also a level of maturity (maybe a few levels) that James has missed due to his addictive years. Clearly--he has work to do in his life as he continues to grow and mature. This is not to justify--this is merely an observation.
Our society does expect perfection. We expect nothing less. But life is fragile. Your celebration of 21 years is quite a feat (Congratulations!...we are 32 years ourselves). However, for each of our successes, they are many more failures. Those facts alone do not undermine the value of marriage. That is how I feel about the discrepancies of AMLP: he may have stumbled...but he is still running a good race.
I don't have a blog....I just recently discovered how to navigate the blog system! Interesting story--CHG (Beneath the ivy wreath) popped into a blog that was set up for one of our dearest friends who was in emergency care in Orlando for a brain bleed. I continue to visit Cynthia's blog...and was linked to yours! I love it!
I hope your anniversary is very special--21 years is worth celebrating!
Well, my blogger friend...it's time to get yourself a blog ;) Blogger.com is easy! Just go to www.blogger.com, and it walks you through the process. I still only know the basics but it's pretty easy to catch on. Gee, I feel like a blogger.com spokesperson. I think that is so neat that you found Cindy's blog and it led you here! Too cool!
I think our sensitivites as mothers/family members are very much needed in our society as a whole. We need more of it! I have immediate family members who have (had) been struggling with alcoholism for several years now. So I do understand exactly where you're coming from.
My Mom and I were talking about this subject last night, and she wondered how many other memoirs were like this. Here lies another problem with Frey's work. Are we as readers to assume that all of someone's hard work writing his/her memoir is based on incorrect data. I just don't think that's fair, especially knowing how hard it is to get published in the first place. Then to finally get it published and have people (readers) wonder if it's accurate or worth reading. That's tough. We must have certain standards for particular genre and if he knew his memory was that distorted, he should not have stayed within that genre.
I agree with your philosophy on marriage but again we're talking about different set of standards here. My marriage doesn't affect millions of other people. It affects my family and myself. I think there is a difference. Although I do feel a strong sense of responsibility to keep my marriage alive and well for stability of my family unit, I don't think the review/overview of my marriage is the same as selling my memoir on the subject. Does that make sense?
But we must also forgive and forget. Frey made a mistake (we all make them,) and he's owned up to it. That says a lot. It is unfortunate but hopefully he can move on and do better work the next time around.
Thanks again for your feedback. It is so refreshing!!
Thx for your comments on my anniversary too!
-Lisa
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