April 4, 2006
OPINIONSJames Frey’s memoir still makes impact despite being fabricated
James Frey woke up in a drunken daze on an airplane.
He didn’t know where the plane was headed, how he got there, or what had happened in the previous days.
He had a busted nose, his lip was cracked and bleeding. He was missing his two front teeth.
To top it all off, he felt as though a hammer was repeatedly striking him on his head.
An alcoholic for ten years and a crack addict for three, Frey came to find out that he fell through a fire escape in a drunken stupor.
This all happened because his family was finally done dealing with his life threatening addictions, was on a redeye to rehab.
We find this out in his first “memoir” ever written titled “A Million Little Pieces”.
In his autobiography, which was just recently declared by the smokinggun.com as fabricated, he explains events that happened to him in such a clear, crisp, and strictly to the point manner.
He is an incredible being on numerous dimensions.
I think that is what should matter when it comes to writing a self acclaimed memoir.
He is a strong willed individual and it shows through his writing.
He transitions from a devastating first 23 years of his life into a supremely articulate, yet emotional human.
Through his struggle of recovery, he is afraid of himself, possesses what he calls the “fury”, and as a result suffers from his fear of living.
Through everything he “holds on” and takes each moment as though it may be his last.
For being a first time published author, Frey’s story was completely fascinating, extremely well written and had me interested from page one.
He explains to his readers in great detail the characters or his “friends” in the book, which you grow to either love or hate.
I laughed, I cried, I laughed really hard, I sobbed and I became emotionally attached to his story along with millions of other readers.
Oprah Winfrey was so fascinated with his story that she immediately chose it as part of her world famous book club.
After “A Million Little Pieces” received Oprah’s seal of approval, it shot to number one on the best seller’s list.
It stayed there until journalist’s from www.smokinggun.com did a little research on their own and discovered that Frey embellished on events in his “memoir” and fabricated important story lines.
When Oprah learned of this, she invited Frey back on her show and blasted him in front of millions of viewers, calling him a liar and accusing him of betraying millions of fans.
It was the top story on all news channels and I never understood why it was such a huge deal.
He is an author.
He wrote an amazing story, changed the truth around a little bit to make it more appealing, found a publisher, sold his book and made millions.
Isn’t that what author’s do?
Yes, he could have went from labeling it a “memoir” to “a story based on true events”.
However, something that little should not overlook the huge impact the story in itself made on millions of people, myself included.
The critics need to step back a little and let the readers be the judge of how the story is portrayed. All James Frey wanted was to show people the life of an addict in recovery and give them front row seats.
Purchasing the book was the reader’s ticket to the show.
What you see is what you get. It’s entertainment, and it’s brilliant.
Volume 43, Issue 12. Today is
