I read a A Million Little Pieces. I loved it. It was intense and I couldn't stop reading it. Now that's out of the way.
On to the controversy. James Frey and Random House published it as a memoir. It became a runaway bestseller, in large part to Oprah adding it to her book club. Frey even appeared on her show. Until The Smoking Gun, published a story about him. Unlike his publisher they did some fact checking and discovered that the majority of the book either stretched the truth or blatantly made things up. And that his second book My Friend Leonard is completely made up. Since there is no proof that "Leonard" even existed.
You know what? I don't give a shit. I could see how that if you read it as a memoir then find out it wasn't true that it might bother you. But I was lucky enough to go in with open eyes. And that book was still amazing. I've never been addicted to something, but I am the offspring of two alcoholics. One who threw her life and children away to drink. And maybe that's why the book seemed so intense to me. A glimpse into the mind of the people who raised me. And who gave me their dysfunctional genes. I rarely ever drink because I am scared to end up like them. I feel like the shame and self hatred he writes about in the book is something we can all relate to. All of us have made bad decisions in our life. Maybe not quite as bad as Frey (possibly) made. But still.
I love it. It made me a little sad to know that he's not as honorable as he portrays himself in the book. But you can just consider it a work of fiction and admire the fictional character instead.
I too loved this book and I too am the child of alcoholics who threw me away in favour of drink. I don't really care if it is made up, does it matter? No. Unfortunately I do drink, too much, and I found this book was one of the things that helped me realise that.
ReplyDeleteI read it. I work with substance abusers. Have for over 10 years. I actually didn't love it when I read it, and that was before the controversy. I don't know. I guess I'm not OK with supporting people who feel like they need to lie in order to tell their story.
ReplyDeleteI've seen that in blogland, actually. There was a blog a lot of people were into. It was portrayed as being real. And come to find out, it was all a lie. And it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I read this book, and the second book. I read them both before the big controversy. And you know - I loved the books - before and after. Frey is a good writer. If the stories aren't true, so be it. That's his battle to fight. I read for the enjoyment of it. I think the thing about Frey's books is that whether or not it is his truth, it is someone's truth...he tells the stories of an addict in a way we can relate to. I appreciated that about his books...
ReplyDelete@Kirstina I look at blogs a bit differently I guess...I agree with you though..when I read a blog I assume it's someone writing about real experiences unless they've stated otherwise. So when I heard about a few blogs like what you've mentioned, it too left a sour taste in my mouth... I don't visit those blogs anymore...
I have not read it but have picked it up and looked at it at the bookstore. Makes one wonder, if it is indeed as good as you say, why not be proud of that and market it as fiction? I'm impressed with anyone who can write a good book. Fiction or not.
ReplyDeleteI've never read the book but I remember the huge controversy that happened when people found out that the stuff didn't actually happen to the guy. Oprah was mad!
ReplyDeleteI read it before the shit hit the fan...so it's been a while. But his descriptions of going to the dentist without any painkillers remain with me. ugh. makes me weak. I thought the book was amazing--regardless of whether some of it was made up.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of this book. I am the child of alcoholics as well. I may just have to pick up this book to read.
ReplyDeleteOK, Anastasia, on your recommendation I will go back and try it again.
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness, I was listing to it on audio book so maybe it was the reader’s voice I found annoying. I got to the part where the nurse was doing the intake and…”she writes it down”…cocaine? “And she writes it down” I was ready for rectal suppositories…”and she writes it down.” Holly cow, I just couldn’t take it any more!
Maybe it was too close to home, my mother was a “recovering alcoholic” and a substance abuse therapist who got rid of me so she could go to more meetings and hang out with her recovery group peeps. LOL, tell me that and back asswards
I haven't read it (I've heard it isn't as good as it's claimed to be)...but I really don't give a shit, either. In fact I think the whole controversy was almost necessary in exploring/defining the use of the word 'memoir'. A memoir is not an autobiography. Memoirists take what happened to them and stretch truths, and exaggerate, and interpret. Okay, maybe Frey went a little too far, but where do we draw the line, really? HOW do we draw a line?
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books is Lying by Lauren Slater - I've heard it called a "metaphorical memoir." I don't want to spoil it for you but it addresses the topic of where the truth is and how far to stretch it and what that might mean. It's really interesting!
You know, I haven't read this, but I still really want to. Even though it's not a memoir, I still think it would be an intriguing story.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. It was a tough read on many personal levels, however, even after it was exposed as not being completely truthful - it didn't take anything away from it for me.
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