Deep Frey'd
"....[A]nd spectators, buy my CD twice..."
I have recently been following with horrified intent the fiasco surrounding the book Million Little Pieces. For those of you who don't know the story, you can read about it on any major news site. The skinny is that this book, which is a major "non-fiction," "autobiographical" best-seller, was found to have major factual inaccuracies. Here is a partial timeline of some of the important events:
1. A major scandal-breaking website reports that important details of Frey's life chronicled in the book are largely false, such as his description of his criminal background, time served in jail, "wanted" status, and, probably worst of all, being a "victim" of a fatal train accident that claimed the lives of others.
2. When confronted, Frey at first refuses to discuss the findings, but then gradually begins to admit that certain details of the book were "embellished." He contradicts an excerpt of the book where he vows to be open and honest about his past by telling people some details were fabricated to "build a wall around himself" and protect himself from the public.
3. Oprah Winfrey, who practically dry-humped the book on her daytime talk show, goes on television to announce her support for Frey and trumpet the book again, characterizing the mounting scandal as much ado about nothing.
4. As more details of Frey's lies emerge, and major news organizations confirm the findings of the initial website reports, Oprah does a double-take and invites Frey back on her show to discuss the book.
5. Oprah "rips into" Frey on the show (although I find the interview was not as hostile as the press reported, allowing the author and publisher many chances to explain themselves, wrapped around a few sound bites criticizing Frey). Oprah, for her part, apologizes for her earlier comments about supporting Frey (better late than never, big O).
6. Frey offers a weak mea culpa on the show, stating that he had to build himself up bigger than he was in order to conquer his demons such as drug addiction. He states he stands by the principal message of the book, however (note to self: I guess it's easier to beat drug addiction without organized assistance or religion, then write about it, when you pretend you're someone else. I'm glad that doesn't tarnish any of the central messages of the book, huh?).
7. The Publisher of the book, Doubleday and Anchor Books, feigns impotence regarding allegations that it could have nipped this problem in the bud, saying that it did not have the time, money, or skill to investigate Frey's fabrications. Doubleday is one of the largest publishing companies in the country, with billions in sales per year, prompting many media to comment how hollow this response was.
8. The "repartations" for this practical fraud on American consumers? A new version of the book is being printed, in its original entirety, with a foreword stating that some of the details may have been embellished.
9. We basically have here a failure regarding every aspect of this book, from creation to post-printing promotion, spanning multiple venerated instutions of American society. The worst part? The public's reponse -- people are still buying the shit out of the book.
What is this world coming to?
Note to readers: if any of my depiction of the events surrounding Frey's book are inaccurate, incomplete, or disingenuous, please let me know. I will gladly continue listing this post in its entirety, but with an epilouge which I will post a year later detailing the falsehoods. Thanks for your patronage!
I have recently been following with horrified intent the fiasco surrounding the book Million Little Pieces. For those of you who don't know the story, you can read about it on any major news site. The skinny is that this book, which is a major "non-fiction," "autobiographical" best-seller, was found to have major factual inaccuracies. Here is a partial timeline of some of the important events:
1. A major scandal-breaking website reports that important details of Frey's life chronicled in the book are largely false, such as his description of his criminal background, time served in jail, "wanted" status, and, probably worst of all, being a "victim" of a fatal train accident that claimed the lives of others.
2. When confronted, Frey at first refuses to discuss the findings, but then gradually begins to admit that certain details of the book were "embellished." He contradicts an excerpt of the book where he vows to be open and honest about his past by telling people some details were fabricated to "build a wall around himself" and protect himself from the public.
3. Oprah Winfrey, who practically dry-humped the book on her daytime talk show, goes on television to announce her support for Frey and trumpet the book again, characterizing the mounting scandal as much ado about nothing.
4. As more details of Frey's lies emerge, and major news organizations confirm the findings of the initial website reports, Oprah does a double-take and invites Frey back on her show to discuss the book.
5. Oprah "rips into" Frey on the show (although I find the interview was not as hostile as the press reported, allowing the author and publisher many chances to explain themselves, wrapped around a few sound bites criticizing Frey). Oprah, for her part, apologizes for her earlier comments about supporting Frey (better late than never, big O).
6. Frey offers a weak mea culpa on the show, stating that he had to build himself up bigger than he was in order to conquer his demons such as drug addiction. He states he stands by the principal message of the book, however (note to self: I guess it's easier to beat drug addiction without organized assistance or religion, then write about it, when you pretend you're someone else. I'm glad that doesn't tarnish any of the central messages of the book, huh?).
7. The Publisher of the book, Doubleday and Anchor Books, feigns impotence regarding allegations that it could have nipped this problem in the bud, saying that it did not have the time, money, or skill to investigate Frey's fabrications. Doubleday is one of the largest publishing companies in the country, with billions in sales per year, prompting many media to comment how hollow this response was.
8. The "repartations" for this practical fraud on American consumers? A new version of the book is being printed, in its original entirety, with a foreword stating that some of the details may have been embellished.
9. We basically have here a failure regarding every aspect of this book, from creation to post-printing promotion, spanning multiple venerated instutions of American society. The worst part? The public's reponse -- people are still buying the shit out of the book.
What is this world coming to?
Note to readers: if any of my depiction of the events surrounding Frey's book are inaccurate, incomplete, or disingenuous, please let me know. I will gladly continue listing this post in its entirety, but with an epilouge which I will post a year later detailing the falsehoods. Thanks for your patronage!
posted by TheRealDookie | 9:42 AM
1 Comments:
So where is the news coverage on Greenspan stepping down, or Alito being confirmed. The press keeps talking about Opera, she should be forced to buy back all of the books herself.
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