I read an excerpt from James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" online last year. It sounded like bullshit to me. He described being on a plane while majorly messed up. In post 9/11 America, no way would they let him on a flight like that.

I completely forgot about the guy until I saw row upon row of his book at the Barnes & Noble, now a part of "Oprah's Book Club." After reading the Smoking Gun piece debunking of his book, I was interested in seeing how Oprah would react. Would the book have been selected if it were (correctly) labeled "fiction"? I don't think so. The claims that it were true tied in to Oprah's main themes of personal growth and healing.

I have no problem with that. And I'm sure that her show helps a great number of people.

But how did Oprah react to being scammed?

"I am disappointed by this controversy surrounding 'A Million Little Pieces,' because I rely on the publishers to define the category that a book falls within, and also the authenticity of the work," Winfrey said.

"But the underlying message of redemption in James Frey's memoir still resonates with me, and I know it resonates with millions of other people who have read this book."

"What is relevant is that he was a drug addict who spent years in turmoil from the time he was 10 years old drinking and tormenting himself and his parents, and stepped out of that history to be the man that he is today and to take that message to save other people and allow them to save themselves."

"To me, it seems to be much ado about nothing," she added.

In other words: don't challenge my reality.

Where's the shame in saying, "I've been lied to."

This entry was posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 at 11:50 AM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.