Comments on: James Frey May Have Lied But Oprah Has Bad Manners

By: RfP

RfP — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:20:33 +0000

Definitely fault the publisher for presenting the book as something it wasn’t… but does the book still have value even if it’s not The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth? Sure, Oprah’s embarrassed to have lionized Frey as a huge redemption story. But separating him from his book, does it hold up as a fictionalized autobiography? Does it still serve the same purpose Oprah intended? (I don’t know the answer: I don’t plan to read the book. I’m literally “just saying”, because I find the whole flap about it strange.)

Nonfiction is never The Truth; particularly (auto)biography. That doesn’t negate it. Would Bill Bryson’s autobiographical travel books be worth reading if he included only verifiable incidents? No way.

I’m not excusing the author/publisher’s presenting it the way they did, but I think the outrage and the $2.35 million settlement are overblown.

By: bettie

bettie — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 02:17:22 +0000

Usually, I hate it when people take Oprah’s name in vain. But apologies are in order from both parties.

1) Nan Talese should apologize for presenting A Million Little Pieces to a nation-wide audience as nonfiction.

2) Oprah should apologize for presenting The Secret to a nation-wide audience.

By: Kalen Hughes

Kalen Hughes — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:29:39 +0000

Don’t ‘cha just love when those who are in error try to pass the blame? Own up to it, Ms. Talese. You and Frey were both in the wrong and Oprah called you on it. You’re lucky to still have a job, IMO.