Good for Oprah! Talk about redemption, she is redeemed in my eyes. She realized that truth and integrity DO have a place in this modern, often corrupt world. And it must have been really hard for her to admit her mistake. I hope it leads to a lot of discussion among her large audience about the importance of integrity, in nonfiction and in work life in general.

Kavita,

I heard some snippets of this interview one the radio today. Frey responded to on of Oprah's questions about why he lied with a statement alluding to the fact that he had to develop "other coping mechanisms" after his ordeal.

I actually think that this is a good thing. I suspect it will make authors think twice before marketing their fiction as non-fiction and will prompt publishers to check the facts before publishing "non-fiction".

There were a couple callers on the radio today, former employees of Hazelden Treatment Center, the center featured in the book (Minnesota has become famous for something besides winter...spin dry). They were concerned that many of the situations that Frey described in his book would keep people with addiction problems from seeking help. They also said that they had worked for years at Hazelden and NEVER had they seen anything remotely like the situations described there.

I think this is a "teachable moment".

Peace,
Scott.

I agree Monica. I have always admired Oprah not just for reaching where she has through sheer grit, but for the uncanny generosity of heart she possesses. Now its her integrity that has won my admiration. I was pretty disappointed by that phone call to Larry King. The show airs in an hour here in Atlanta. I plan to see it.
I do have to say, that the frey book has evidently changed a lot of lives, from all the feedback- so now in that context how does one react to the lies.
would love to hear everyone's take on this dilemma.
do you forgive because so much good came out of it, or do you fry the frey man because the good was built on lies and deceit

excellent points Scott.

A person's true account of their experiences and what he or she has learned from them helps people. Lies and distortions hurt people. The man, Frey, should be forgiven, just like anyone else who makes a mistake or uses bad judgment. But his book should be, and is being, trashed.

I have mixed blessings of this. Seems to me, Oprah did this to "save face" against the ridiculous back-lash she ensnared with her comments on Larry King, support Frey.

However, to have Frey come on the show under false pretense; is undeniably more low.

I haven't seen it; but, sounds like it was brutal for Frey. He did have 90% of the story AS true; so I don't see why the out-cry over a 20% enhancement fabrication, which requires exaggeration, to sell books?

However, being as I try to see both sides of the fence; I see Oprah as having to maintain her own dignity; at the further downfall of another; and for her to do it so publicly, was very low, and I'm shocked at her odacity, to further betray. She did no better than Frey, in the betrayal departments?

North

Am I the only one who see's her act as a betrayal? Surely, Frey was NOT informed; he'd be publicly stripped and displayed? After her supporting him, on LKLive; and then, taking weeks to recant her support; to me, it seems a well thought-out publicity plan; to save Oprah's face! She took an awful lot of heat; I"m sure often faced losing many, many millions in revenue.

What Frey did was wrong; but, to humiliate a suffering person this way, is degradingly and demeaningly lower an act.

I now ppl who've been in and out of treatment centres; as mentioned, living in the projects ten years; a person gets to see "it all." And, I'm here to support the horror stories about these places; they are not all, what they seem; and of course, any centre would ultimately deny, deny, deny! So yes, there are good places, and bad; but, lets not count the bad, with the good; it's too one-sided and untrue.

I don't know; I'm surprised at Oprah; but, not shocked; I find the past year; her shows getting less compassionate about her suffering guests; and she more or less instigates, a tough-love approach and shows no patience; look how she ripped into the late Kennedy family friend about her book? I was so mad at Oprah; insinuating she wrote the book, for money! which doesn't sit well with me, as a methodical approach to anything but bullying most times. there is love, and then there is forced opinion....very different playgrounds...I've always sided with love.

North

North - I agree with you. If she got Frey on the show just to betray him then that was very low. Specially because she stood to benefit from it. Hope the press picks up on this aspect of the story.

I agree one shouldn't fudge facts for profit. But as Marianne says it was bad judgment and Frey should be forgiven. Considering all the ways in which people go about being dishonest and cruel, this was not all that horrendous a deed. Moreover, many people even benefited from it. Frey has also done an additional service in that people will be much more careful from now before they try and take any liberties with the truth.

Hi north,
you have made some very interesting points. I think none of us know Oprah personally, so we have to give her the benefit of the doubt about her motives. I doubt she needs any additional publicity for her self or her show, and I personally think it takes a lot of guts to admit that she made a mistake. Having said that I also have to say that at times some of the hard hitting questions we ask in journalism may come across as impatience and arrogance. For example, people who know me will look at something I've said or asked from a different perspective, than someone who doesnt know me at all. Its all so subjective.
It brings me back to a point I made earlier in another blog..never underestimate the power of the written and spoken word, and that is precisely why the publishing industry has to take a long hard look at hiring smoking gun kind of people to check the facts before publishing a memoir, or anything else.
Oprah said that 8 days after they had decided to use this book someone called saying frey's account was not truthful in parts-Oprah's people contacted the publishers and they stood behind frey-she also says that the reason why she called in at larry king was because she received 100s of emails from people saying how they identified with the story,how it helped in their own recovery and so she supported the essence of what frey wrote. She now regrets it becaue it sounded that she doesnt believe in truth.
I think it took a lot of courage on frey's part to come on oprah and admit he lied, and I hope we can forgive that too.
its funny one of the sayings in the bhagwad gita that I grew up being told was that a lie that saves someone's life or helps in some way(a loose translation by my grandmother) is more powerful than the biggest truth..if I take that into account then the fact that his book helped so many addicts needs to be taken into account. He has learnt his truth the hard way and so has Oprah.And I hope both can be forgiven and appreciated for the courage they showed to admit they were wrong.
lots of love

I thought it was a good show. Fortunately I got to see the whole thing and from my perspective it was pretty intense. I admire Oprah for her strength, honesty, humility and self control during the show.

I read the book, believed it was true, thought it was a great read and passed it on to friends. When the Frey Fiasco first began with the Smoking Gun Report I kept an open mind. I read many of the articles over the past 2 weeks including the Smoking Gun Report. Afterwards I felt like Oprah did today but to a much lesser degree. I was duped and felt like a sucker.

As an avid reader of nonfiction I have become somewhat wary of what I am reading now. Hopefully Oprah and Frey will be a catalyst for publishers to do what was suggested on the show and hire fact checkers. I want to feel confident that when I open a nonfiction book I am getting the truth. Too bad it had to be so painful for Oprah AND Frey. However, the end result may be more stringent labeling by publishers.

As for Frey...I did not see him as being set up or being brought on to the show under false pretenses. I think he expected the backlash. How could he not? I say this because I have been following posts from the Oprah website for many days now and the vast majority of the posters are not happy about his untruths and the fact that Oprah was supporting him. I would think he would be reading them, too. He had to have known what he was walking in to. And I admire his courage to be able to do so. He screwed up, hurt alot of people and took the beating. Hooray for him.

As for Oprah not being compassionate, I cannot comprehend that thought.

Sandy

Although I haven't yet seen the program (I'm looking forward to catching it this afternoon), I think Oprah did the right thing. Yes, she originally supported the author because Oprah is the type of person that gives people the benefit of the doubt. She was moved by Mr. Frey's story and knows that it has the power to help others in similar situations because it comes from someone on the inside who overcame.

However, the importance of honesty can't be overstated. Not to have done what she did today would have sent the wrong message. I think to tell a story and make up facts or embellish it and then misrepresent it as factual is a bad idea. He could have told the truth from the beginning and acknowledge that it was altered in some ways. I think it still would have had the same power to help others.

Unfortunately the way things stand now, even the very credible aspects of the book will come into question and there will be those who will use it to their advantage. For instance the treatment centers, which may have been very acurately portrayed in the book, will now have a voice to say otherwise and will be heard.

Oprah had an obligation to come down hard on Mr. Frey (I don't yet know how hard she came down on him; I might be eating my words after watching it) because endorsing his actions would set a bad example as to the importance of being truthful.

As far as forgiveness is concerned....with Oprah, there's nothing to forgive. She did nothing wrong. I thing she handled an unfortunate situation the best way she could, with integrity. And Mr. Frey, I personally don't think that he set out to deceive people. I don't think he had bad intentions, he just had some bad judgement. He should have thought things through more carefully before acting.

What I hope is that this whole fiasco can be an example for all those much larger lies lurking out there that are causing a lot of harm to a lot of people.

North,
I was reading the posts after i read yours...i stopped reading.I somehow agree with you...Oprah should've informed Fry of her intentions...
I was wondering what about those people who went clean after reading the book.What about those people who wrote letters to FRY and appeared on Oprah's show and said how the book changed their life.
A lie is a lie and Fry is paying for that...nobody gets to play the GOD...that let me punish you for decieving me...
I feel there is always room for forgiveness.I remember people here wrote about Tookie and his life sentence why he should be pardoned.What Arnie should have done...There is always room for compassion and forgiveness in private and public life both.
There is a holocaust museum where i stay..holocaust survivors come and talk to kids...they have no bitterness in them.These people are the embodiment of human spirit.If they can forgive hitler for gassing their village and mutilating their women..I can forgive Fry and I can forgive tookie.

Hello Kavita Chhibber and the Intentblog family!

What a wonderful "follow-up" this blog has created for us--just finished with Oprah's show--and the positioning and body language of the host, and various guests, made me think of truth about the saying: Every coin has two sides to it.

Well....the plain truth is that every coin has three sides to it--have you ever stood a quarter on the "side" between the "two faces" of a coin?

The participants in this dialogue had James and Nan in the middle--what I fondly call the Buddha's "Narrow Middle Path"--with Oprah holding down the "right" side (per facing the audience), and the two professionals from the "journalistic integrity side" holding the left.

I am very impressed with both Oprah and James for "facing the music" together, and airing this one out in a way which has had a far greater impact on our entire culture regarding the nature of communicating effectively, efficiently, and truthfully--in all forms: publishing, news reporting, television entertainment, but especially does it bring to task the deadly lies that our governments and corporations perpetrate on us, and we have become a culture that has allowed for the truth to become a less-than-preferred, uninteresting, boring, and blaise` past-time.

It is clear that James has grown from the grueling crucifixion his "embellishments and lies" have brought to himself, his publisher, and even, if not especially, Oprah--as always--her gracious integrity comes forth under pressure.

To my way of thinking, James was the scapegoat for an entire society's preference for "Reality TV," and maybe he thought the truth was too boring, not enough drama; and so he lied and exaggerated so "we'd buy it," and confirm the message of "recovery" as still being worthy and valid.

He had the courage to step up to his own "crucifixion" and not run away from what must have been an agonizing confrontation with his own hypocracies--to say nothing of the humiliation of letting Oprah down, and millions of people who trusted his written words to a tee.

How does James Frey compare, in his casual open-collared shirt, T-shirt underneath, with our "suits" who stand daily in front of the world's cameras and smuggly lie-through-their-teeth, business as usual, without giving a second thought about the innumerable multitudes of lives lost through the horrors our "trusted leaders" of government and commerce heap on the world's populations with the full compliance of the very agencies whose task it is to ferret out the corrupt liars of our collective systems--the Media conglomerates themselves.

I think James Frey's prevarications, but especially his willingness to confront the results from same, are a great blessing to us all--maybe now we will start to hold those whose blantant lies cost untold losses of life to the entire fabric of this world somewhat more accountable their actions, words, and deeds, as well. Dave

Aloha

I just caught some of Oprah's show on the bird flu. Maybe it is a good thing that her viewers are now questioning for themselves what is true. It is my understanding that flu vaccines are made from a past flu and that is what negates them because the virus mutates. The gentleman on the show was upset and got Oprah upset because the government only allowed 3 million for the search of a vaccine. 7 billion was requested. I was surprised that Oprah kept equating New Orleans with the bird flu in the respect the government’s irresponsibility of not allocating funds for the levees. Hopefully she will ask for another view about the bird flu and maybe funds can be allocated to those still suffering from the national disasters already experienced. And I am sure for the people who will or have transcended from the bird flu, to them personally it was or is a world epidemic but for the rest of us it doesn’t have to be. It is good that she is questioning herself as what is true and her viewers are in reflection. Love patty

Kavita,

I was hoping that Intentblog would post something about Frey. I think this story is fascinating from an ethical and moral perspective and I have mixed feelings about what Frey did. It raises a classic ethical dilema . . . Is it ever morally permissable to lie? I like your point about a lie that might save someone's life is more powerful than the truth.

I watched Frey on Opera and I think his heart is in the right place . . . meaning I think he wrote his book with the intention of helping others recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and raise awareness for treatment. Obviously, he lied to make the book more interesting and sell more copies`and I don't necessarily respect the fact that he lied to his readers. But, what if those lies caused more people to read the book and get treatment. (I did hear, (but I do not know for a fact) that he tried to shop his book around as fiction, but then later shopped it around as nonfiction or was told by the publisher to sell it as nonfiction, probably not true based on the Opera show bc the publisher claimed she believed the book was true. This raises even more question about the publisher's credibility, ethics, or general common sense. The publisher could have easily fact checked his ancedotes. I think the publisher is equally if not more responsible for this as Frey is)

But, imagine if Frey had not written this book, would the same people that he connected with through his book gotten treatment? Maybe, maybe not.

Cheers,
Matt

Thank you all very much for your thought provoking comments. Frey says on larry king that he told oprah's people that he had made changes in the book to protect the identity of some of the people. Interestingly one of the people on larry King today made an interesting comment..she said we have been lied to so often by politicians that we have lost the ability to recognize a lie.
Another woman was concerned that this whiplash may push him back into addiction.
Matt, Nan (the publisher) insisted on the show that it was given to her as a memoir and nothing else, even though James Frey said he had first given it to them as a work of fiction-they decided to feature it as a memoir. Then I wonder if its the publishers who should be facing the heat..they saw a potential best seller and green bucks and let this one slide.
There are people who are angry at Oprah.They feel she went too far in the way she ripped into him, that maybe the more graceful thing would have been for all three to take joint responsibility for the gaffe, apologise and leave it at that...that because he is the least powerful of the three..oprah, the big publishing house on one side, and frey on the other side alone, so he had to bear the brunt of it.
I personally feel that even autobiographies are not entirely truthful-they are truth as we see it..and I have often seen three members of the same family describe the same experience differently.
I think perhaps that the key thing that comes out is that rules of the publishing game need to be changed.

I also think by the way that his book will continue to sell-there is no such thing as bad publicity. Notoriety and bad boys seem to attract more attention..howard stern is a prime example. His second book my friend leonard became a best seller even after the controversy hit

Kavita: "Any reputation is better than no reputation at all!"

It is amazing to think that the "fiction" publishers would have rejected the book saying, "Most of this book is 'too true,' and so we can't publish it as fiction."

That simple "faction disclaimer: 'Based on a True Story," would have prevented anyone from ever calling James Frey a liar.

And yet, we all needed this to happen so we'd all have to take a look at our own levels of honesty--which most definitely leaves me in a position where I ought not to be picking up any "stones to cast" at anyone involved in this "Frey."

As the Buddha said, "Do not disregard the message just because you don't like the messenger." Dave

PS Kavita: Am I a liar--since the Buddha never said "that" in English--and I'm paraphrasing at that!!!! Dave

well said David, and Buddha won't mind-I'm sure...I have to admit I felt a bit sorry for the guy as every one condescendingly came down on him looking holier than thou..and we will never know if he really he told oprah's people he changed things around, or that he told nan it was a work of fiction and she said lets carry it as a memoir-
he became a scapecoat in the hype where people want a larger than life heroes whose girl friends commit suicide, who get two root canals done without novacaine, forgetting that very often those we put on a pedestal have feet of clay and that we are all very often victims of our own society, its rules and expectations..but this too shall pass..as soon as the next scandal erupts!

Kavita,

I think we probably will find out whether he told nan if it was a fiction or a memoir because I saw on an MSNBC news show that a lawyer is filing a class action law suit against Frey and the publisher for consumer fraud. The lawyer is making the argument that the people who bought Frey's book deserve their money back and possibly punitive damages bc the consumer bought a product (a fictional book) that was advertised as something it was not (a memior). He made the analogy of a consumer being duped into buying a sweater that was being falsly advertised as being a cashmere sweater, but in reality the sweater was not cashmere. It will be real interesting to see if that lawsuit actually gets filed, and if it is whether Frey will turn on the publisher and claim that the publisher made him publish it as a memoir so Frey can avoid legal fault/liability.

Kavita...Quite interesting. Dharm sankat jisse kehthe hai. Yes, I agree with you Oprah is a Woman of Integrity...very Introspective incident!

Truly..Sachin

Hi Kavita,
Because you posted this article, I managed to coincide my lunch break with the 4 pm airing of Oprah's show!

I have to say, that my impression is that Oprah was deeply embarrased for endorising a book that she clearly believed was true, through and through.

As the segment progressed, I found myself watching James Frey, the author, in his answers and facial expressions. I found his replies halting at times, candid at others, and numerous times he apologized, admitted the fabrications in his story, while stating this was, to his memory, true to his plight with addiction, though he obviously embellished events. He even, towards the end of the segment, admitted lying, since Oprah kept stating he did.

His publisher, Ms. Talese, was less 'real' and honest in her explanations, than the author! I sense the 'wrongdoing' with the publishing company. I surmise, that Ms. Talese was lax, to say the least, in not verifying any of the author's claims. Obviously, that would not have been so difficult, and led to branding this book, a novel, or 'based on a true experience'.

The issue, is Truth. The larger T, of truth. Do you really think it can be found in media, and t.v. shows and sensational books. Why not each of us, live lives of integrity. Here at intent, the standard of comments can be ugly, at times. Name-calling, mean-spirited, etc. Even a number of posters here, use Fake names.

Its up to each of us to cultivate inner committment to Truth, and letting that 'play out' in our behavior, and relationships. Its an individual journey, worthy of the 'cost', and noble of the intent.

Love,
~ Kate

ultimately a mirror of human frailties ...

in a world of high choice possibilities...

so easily forgotten ...

in A world where ego remains the ultimate challenge ...

here we are talking often about Bush as being the enemy ...

forgetting there is a Bush in all of us ...

little lies .. big lies ...

small acts of betrayal ... big acts of betrayal ...

what is the difference ???

the power of the ego versus the soul ...

in this case where is the soul's voice ???

what intentions motivated the actions???

felt sadness that Oprah chose to humiliate Frey in front of millions of people ... after giving him her support ...

a mirror to herself and to the world ...

eye for an eye it seems ...

versus forgiveness and compassion ...

in integrity where equality prevailed ...

" Hear from the heart wordless mysteries! Understand what cannot be understood.

In man's stone-dark heart there burns a fire

That burns all veils to their root and foundation

when the veils are burned away , the heart will understand completely

ancient love will unfold ever fresh forms

in the heart of the Spirit, in the core of the heart.

Give me ecstasy, give me naked wonder oh my Creator! "

Rumi

how interisting if we would learn to see through the eyes of wonder rather than the savagery of the hurt ego ...

a taste we all know so well ...

and yet

so easily fall prey of...

the call for mercy in a world gone cold ...

necessary maybe ...

for the veils of ignorance to break free ...

so that in truth and integrity

we rise

AS ONE...

wondering ...

who does the humiliation???

necessary maybe ...

to the unfolding...

of this jewel

in this humbleness

no one

can bind ...

wondering ...

who does the humiliation???

necessary maybe ...

to the unfolding...

of this jewel ...

an humbleness

nothing

can bind ...

Hello Kavita and Everyone,

What is clear to me, after having read the book, is that this was a book that would not sell as fiction. People would not have suffered through these horrendous descriptions for a fictional character, but would definitely suffer through the read if the character was real.

James tried to sell this book as fiction, because it is fiction, he couldn't sell it that way, he and I am sure he did not act alone in changing it from fiction to memoir.. bingo it sells.

I give James credit for sitting in the hot seat in front of Oprah and the world and I hope he can handle the fall from grace, because, really, we all have our falls, usually they are not in front of millions of people, but in this case he and his publishers took a few bucks from millions of people under false pretenses.

I hope this deters others (authors and publishers) from peddling their fiction as truths.

Ruth,

Couldn't agree with you more. The reason that Frey wrote the book has nothing to do with some big motive to "help" others...he wrote it to make money. That's fine...that's a perfectly good reason to write something...happens every day. I wouldn't cry too many tears for Frey, hecause his "outing" will sell a half million more books. I hope it does, because he probably won't be able to sell another book for publication. This seems harsh, but there are consequences to what we do.

If there is one message that the universe continually sends, it is that "we are responsible for the choices we make". That's karma. You can pretend that isn't so, but it doesn't matter. No matter how you point fingers to addiction or "coping mechanisms" or whatever. We are responsible for the choices we make. We may not be able to control what is put on our plate, but we are responsible for what we choose to eat and what we do with it.

Frey is a millionaire now. I hope that he invests in some real estate or something to grow his money. Of course, he could very well write a book about how he was a victim of society and the same people that lined up to by his first one will buy this one. That's why it's important to remember before you hand over you $25 that Freys motivation was really all about money, nothing more, nothing less.

Peace,
Scott.

PS - Dave your post about Frey being sort of a symbol of the obfuscations that are served to us daily via politicians, big business executives etc. was a good one.

Hi Kavita,

I too read about the "class action lawsuit" against Frey. Ridiculous in my opinion. I think it's a real stretch to prove that you somehow incurred a loss due to reading a stupid book.

Peace,
Scott.

Well said, Baba!!

I really don't think any one of us can safely say for certainty, that Frey wrote his book merely for profit, unless one new Frey personally? How can anyone infer they know what Frey's intentions were? unbelievable good guess, I guess?! lol

I think Oprah made an error of judgement in how she coraled Frey on her show; I really have a hard time believing he was aware of her intent to put him on such a hot seat; and discredit him this way; if he'd been informed; I'm sure he'd not have gone on the show! Yes,Im sure he was expecting backlash; but, the shocked look on his face, told the story "he was set UP."

Lastly, we must remember, it is a true story!!

Fabrication is not a new demise in story-telling, OR movie-making. This is not the first time, this has happened in history of books and movies, scripts?

I think it's terrible, how people will jump on a band-wagon, when someone is being taken down...kinda like the "crowd" instigating a gang rape, by cheering it on! that's how I saw it..but, it's just my opinion, which of course, has NO weight, only wind.

North

to me, the error and responsibility is with the publishers, not Frey! Seems to me, they manipulated him, so why aren't they being taken down?

North

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0104061jamesfrey1.html-I read this today..6 pages by smoking gun-this was posted on 8th January. After reading it I'm shaking my head at what it is that has america riveted..coarse, vomit induced bloodied stories exaggerated to look bloodier, and coarser..I have both the books by Frey and I havent been able to read them.Kept postponing it because of the language, and because I always seemed to find something else to read that needed more immediate attention- I ordered them after I saw Oprah's interview with Frey.
I think what really surprises me is the naivete of the publishing house, frey and oprah..this is the internet era..any information is a click of a mouse away..frey tried to get all his criminals records expunged but forgot about one..
while I sympathise with oprah, she cant possibly investigate every book, and accepts the credibility of the author if the publishing house stands behind him/her, I wonder what frey and nan were thinking..that the lies would not be caught? his book was evidently rejected 17 times as a work of fiction..Nan is supposedly a very well respected person in her field..did she take advantage of that, thinking she is untouchable.
I agree with Scott..the lawsuit is frivolous.
And absolutely agree with as you sow so shall you reap..
In the end, however we are only answerable to ourselves..and I doubt James Frey is able to look at himself in the mirror today-may be he doesnt care..and double day's double deal had them go laughing all the way to the bank..
I think at the end of the day, if something good comes out of this..better laws, less greed, more self introspection from Frey, and all of us, this too shall pass- this is a very forgiving society and people have very short memories as well.
I also sensed some envy in sone of the detractors on various shows-if this book had sunk, no one would have bothered..many people lashed out at the guy because they didnt make that kind of money or make it to oprah..again I guess it all comes down to personal integrity..what may seem wrong to me may be right for someone else..
Kate you put it exceedingly well. I couldnt have said it better,'Baba nice to hear from you after a long time..thanks every one Matt, sachin, ruth for your posts.

good points north..though I have a feeling frey knew what he was going to get on oprah..the backlash has been a lot and I'm sure he was told oprah's pissed:)
he will be back on larry king I guess

Scott,

The sad thing is that once it was out there as memoir, he couldn't take it back. He said on Larry King he was surprised by all the attention the book got and I definitely believe him. Who would have thought? I am sure he and the publisher probably thought they could make some money on the story, but then Oprah happened and the ball just kept rolling..but, unlike the Author and the publisher, Oprah, really does try to do the right thing.

Although, I am asking myself the question- if I was in James Frey's shoes, what would I have done?
I have to admit, I might have done what James has done and gone along for the ride. I would like to believe I am more like Oprah, but I think I might be more like James.peace ruth

I have a bad feeling Frey will fall back into addictions over this whole mess!!

IF Frey had bad intentions in mind for this book, such as monetary profit "only"; it would have showed in his uppity arrogance and self-defence on the show, and on LKLive?

But, I saw only a quiet and humble man; who went to hell and back, and lived to tell about it!

I saw a man, intent to tell a "degree" of truth of his experiences, to encourage others that if he could live through "this", they can live through "that too."

Oprah asks him why he said the girl hung herself, when she actually slashed her wrists? Does it matter people; the main thing IS< the girl died under her own hand! Surely, the "reason" she took her life, should take precedence over the change of deaths method used?

Maybe he wasn't the morbid type to use reference to such flow of blood; maybe he thought "that truth of it" too horrific to share;maybe he was afraid it would glorify suicide more; and ergo, changed the method of death; but, death is death...period. so what's the big deal?

I don't know,,,but, Oprah is not the only one duped...I think Frey was duped too(first.)

Obviously, the publishing house knew as well, his past tries to publish his book, which was met as a failure; but, look, this man did not give UP; another good point; the publishing house would have had to have had all revealed to them BY Frey, prior to acceptance, and printing!!

WE should not just hang Frey...but, of course, with Frey being a recovering addict, and little "fry-fish" he's the best intended target, from all sides!

"And so, as "IT" always is; so shall it always remain." DDS (98-99)

North

So If my legal analyst in the US, Matt's conclusion I believe sounds solid,

If you went into a movie, with the subtitle,
based on a true story, you enjoyed the rollercoaster, had a great time, and some time later, it turnes out it was fiction, do you march
to Washington for 'puntative' 'damages'..?

or do you consider it a marketing stunt, just like the movie 'Wag the Dog', remember?
- The main players are a mysterious Mr. Fix-It (Robert De Niro), veteran Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman), and a White House aide (Anne Heche)

And the author, laughs all the way to the bank..
(Banco Brazile or Argentina, would be my legal advise..;) (just kiddin! offcourse..)

You people..funny! no kiddin'! don't have a cow,
over this, you should hear the scams 'performed'
in East Europe! man, that's not funny! EU subsidies, corruption, maffia,

Next!

With Love, Passion
Ps. 1 Say hi to Oprah for me!, she's cool!, is she married with that Stedman fellow already..?
women..;) never know what they want..;)
Ps. 2 Put Path to Love in the Bookclub!
Ps. 3 Really!

Dear Kavita, good points. About the 17 tries. The publishers had to have known! No doubt there.

Open Questions:

So, "who" pursuaded Frey to lie "the 18th time?"? HE did not lie, the first 17 times?

Who is the thief of truth, here to be specific? Yes, Frey is guilty of twisting 20% of the truth, where we must ask ourselves, did DDay pursuad him to do so?

WE all know; that in Hollywood, in books and TV; the more crazy, the more sales. It's common practice, to stretch the truth; to make it all more satiable.

I think the fall, should be held by the publishers, in the highest degree! To me, for DD to give out money back for the books, which is so unprecedented, shows something being more obscured, perhaps. An innocent party would never pay millions OUT like this, if they were innocent.

anyway, the whole thing is terrible confusing?

North

A truth here is; we all have a sad story in our lives we could share. This "my story" could be about anything sorrow-filled, or joy-filled. Point is, we could share it, and always find so many people, who would resonate with it, regardless of the story.

Anyone, with such a passion, to tell his story, like Frey attempted too, had to have been out of good motives, to encourage other addicts, to not give up trying? I fail to see his motives as purely monetary-based. I met too many addicts(pills) and alcoholics personally, in the projects; and their stories are all the same, when they want to talk about it. They want to help. Telling a story that haunts us; helps us to clarify the suffering; it helps to re-organize thinking patterns by lessening it's obscurities.

I have a story I could tell; it could be a blockbuster too, and I know it for a fact; b/c it's exactly what people want to see and here.

People want their emotions stirred. So many people are frozen and cannot "feel."

Anyway, back on track; my point is; yes, he was aware of the back-lash he'd face on the show. I feel, he wasn't given time at all, to really talk about his intentions and motives?

I am in no way, trying to put Oprah in a bad light! I adore the woman! I've never seen any other celebrity, reach out to the poor and disabled, as she has. I like the fact, she does it publicly, and not privately, as it could encourage other billionaires and millionaires to do the same; TO: help inspire someone at the bottom, by encouraging them, to reach for the top; by providing the "vehicle(opportunity)" to come out of the swim of deprivation, and walk for a change...

I found it interesting though; how Oprah mentioned she regretted making that phone call. But, in that call, she revealed she thought the 80% of the truth, merited recognition? How can she take that back?

Ooh, I better stay outta this one.....

North

I was so disappointed in Oprah -- saw the show late last night and had to go to Oprah.com and vent -- here's what I wrote:

What an absolute abuse of power for Oprah. She's a billionaire, one of the ten most beloved women on the PLANET, and it was excrutiating to see her spend an entire hour raking Frey over the coals and saying "you were wrong you were wrong you were wrong" and bringing in "experts" to agree that he was wrong, and to show video clips of journalists also saying he was wrong. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, it was certainly not the high road, and it was all EGO talking. We get it Oprah -- you were embarassed. A lot of people were. But from a spiritual perspective, you totally dropped the ball on this one. At times I felt like you were confronting a man who RAPED you, and not a book author. Why couldn't you show him a bit of the compassion you show the criminals you have on your show? How many times have you overlooked the faults and indiscretions and lies of politicians and celebrities who happen to be your friends??? It's not about whether this guy embellished his story or not, it's about how you chose to treat someone who had been through a horrible ordeal, who has finally come clean, and is now being hated and persecuted by the media and a majority of Americans. We need LEADERS, Oprah -- not finger-pointers. You should have taken your anger to your therapist and done a show that spoke to possibility, not blame. Apologizing for being "duped" is not an apology -- it's being a VICTIM. Apologize to James Frey for kicking him when he was down -- THERE'S where your integrity is waiting.

Paul

Hi All,
It is true that this is done in Hollywood all the time. Oliver Stone's Nixon and JFK were perfect examples of taking unbelievable liberty with both of those stories. He basically made things up in order to make his stories more interesting, or to make a point. And there was certainly no notation at the beginning of the movie stating that this was "based on a true story". Stone should be called on the carpet just as much as Frey.

One of my favorite types of stories are historical fiction...I love them, but I also know that the writer has played fast and loose with the facts. In fact, in most of these stories there is a long foreward or an afterword by the author that discusses the historical inaccuracies in the book. I love this kind of reading, its interesting and to me helps make Julius Caeser or Claudius real. But when you read historical fiction you know this going into it. You are entertained by the authors viewpoints and visions but know it's a story with some historical fact.

Frey, the publisher and even Oprah are all responsible to a greater or lesser degree for this. I cannot honestly tell you that if a publisher offered me a lot of money to embelish a story that I wouldn't take the money and write the story. Having said that, I would still be responsible. It was my choice...I wrote the story, I put my name to it, I allowed it to be marketed as fact, I went on Oprah and supported that claim. I'm responsible.

Frey isn't a victim here, he just made a bad choice. We all make 'em now and again. He's human and he deserves to be forgiven, but that doesn't make him less responsible. Being human means we can make unhealthy choices, we still are responsible for them and then we can make better choices. If we don't take responsibility for them, if we always blaim someone else then we just continue to make bad choices and we pay for them anyway, but don't learn from them.

Peace,
Scott.

Hello Everyone,

Let us not forget that James Frey continued the memoir scam with his follow up book, which is also on the best seller list. Now, I couldn't have done that. I may have been able to get caught up in the first memoir-fiction fiasco, but I wouldn't have continued it. James did, so I do not know how sorry we should feel for him? A little sorry, sorry, or very sorry?

Kavita; Well, I bet they are so relieved in many ways right now; nothing like the power of a big miracle such as this is; to aspire a person, to higher hopes, in the face of cancer! I am glad you have not only read my prayers, but felt them with each of you the past few weeks! : )

Baba...nice words!

Have a great weekend, Kavita et al..

North

My Mom's very serious Kavita. Will be back later.
Take care..Sachin

The interview was hurtful to watch and listen to.I found Oprah to be acting out of character.I pitied Frey and questioned how can we judge so harshly the story written by an addict through the mind of an addict ?How does that unhealed mind work? see things? experiences ?
Oprahs' compassion for the diseased mind for an obviously confused man seemed sadly lacking . The book should be renamed a work of fiction and thats that.So someone commmitted suicide by slitting her wrists not hanging whats the differrence?The tragedy is the suicide.
Frey is obviously a writer a writer who is sick and who needs help with his delusions .But let us not forget "To err is human"
As for me I will now buy the book.

Dear all,

I normally do not check this website much, but I wanted to write a note of sincere thanks to all of you kind-hearted posters on Intentblog... especially those of you who have offered your prayers, your support and your love for my Mom (Sudha) who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

I am very touched by your concern for the well-being of a stranger. Your healing thoughts and lovely words have helped immeasurably.

As Kavita mentioned, the PET scan results were very encouraging. I think we caught this early - and one large reason is because Mom self-examined and didn't ignore the signs her body gave her. Forgive this bit of preaching, but we all stand a better chance if we arm ourselves with the facts. Please check out breastcancer.org (or click on my name below for the link).

I wish you all many happy returns for your kind prayers, thoughts and good wishes.

With much gratitude,

Once again I am grateful to be living in Switzerland. If I did not visit CNN and NPR online or this website I wouldn't even know Mr. Frey existed.

I never hear his name of Orah's for that matter in this part of the world. Thank god.

What is really sad to me is that this issue lives in America's collective hall of records right beside the months of 24/7 news coverage of OJ Simpson.

Will we ever learn to give attention to what is crucial?

Children are needlessly dying right now. Who do you want to give your 15 minutes to?

One other thing that baffles me is the continued remarks concerning the difference this book has made in the lives of people. (I believe these comment are directed towards addicts. I could be reading more into the comments.)

Please look deeply into your own psyches.

Addiction is an almost incomprehensible phenomenon.

Medical profession knows next to nothing. Rehab is struggling to understand and apply effective methods. It's about a 14% rate of recovery across the board.

To suggest that a mere 4 months after Oprah "sanctioned" the book, it is saving lives shows an ignorance to the real plight of the addict.

We sit in front of our computers spewing neat little personal realizations concerning a blown out of proportion event.

How many of us have felt the sting of addiction?

A book, inspirational?

Kicking smack, a life long act.

Inspiration should be, "I never want to wake up feeling dead and beating my wife and kid." (I don't do this but in the realm of fiction I'm trying to make a point).

So please stop mentioning, "the people that have been helped by this book."

The juries out. Way out.

If Frey is clean 20 years from now one may begin to say that maybe the book saved "a" life. But please stop the dramatics.

"I never hear his name of Orah's for that matter in this part of the world. Thank god."

Should read, "...name OR Oprah's..."

Dear Ajit, I almost feel like I know you in a small way; as you and your Mom Sudha, and your Dad, and Kavita too; have been in my prayers, as well as many here from Intent.

We were all so relieved of the PET scan; and continue faithfully, with our prayers for the road yet to be walked by all of you.

Please Ajit; I hope you can all derive a small comfort in knowing we are with you in Spirit, and Unitedly embrace each of you, across these many different countries and miles from here at Intent, and from our hearts and homes; with our love and our prayers; that the road to healing Sudha's cancer, be met with a complete recovery; and that she will remain cancer-free!

Namaste,

North

Hi Laurence,
I rarely watch t.v. - but I did watch this segment with the author Frey. I had not known about the 'controversy', until reading Kavita's post. So I did manage to watch the program. I feel the larger question/issue is the labeling of books, and the honesty and integrity that the publishing company uses (or doesn't), to label a book, a novel, autobiography or memoir.

In this case, it is clear - the addiction and process that James Frey went through - was real. But, in writing the book, he embellished or fabricated events.

Books can and do enrich lives. My daughter loves to read, and I do as well. I have been moved and inspired by poetry, biograhies, children's books, Deepak Chopra books! :)

Someone famous, I think - said to choose well what you read. Because you are what you read, while you are reading it. :)

Thanks for sharing your insights!
~ Kate

Dear Ajit,
You do have many prayers and blessings to surround your mother and your family. I am grateful you have allowed us the honor to pray and send healing thoughts to Sudhaji. Every blessing shared is like the sun reflected. I feel a bit of that warmth as well. Thank you.

I hope you may write again soon. Kavita is a favorite writer at intent! I think the world of her. And so, your family that reflects her care and love.

Love and Blessings,
~ Kate

It is so ironic to watch oprah be so vengefull, and insensitive to the addict James Frey. Five minutes of disrepute would be ok- but an hour was absolute abuse. To watch Oprah humiliate, and talk about this man as if he was not even present to her other guests was treating this man less than human. I find this very appaling, especially coming from a person that has a history to draw from of the wrong in this kind of treatment from being prejudiced just by being black. This is the most shamefull episode of oprah that will be a low point in her history that will say hypocrite in red letters 12 feet high. A shameful, vengefull humiliation of an addict......He did wrong, but my God, he is a human being that should not be driven to a humiliating suicide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John D
Yes I was afraid to speak of it but it occurred to me that Frey could be driven to the edge by that brutal interview and I was deeply afraid for him and Oprah-to a lesser degree.
Hi Peter Lawrence Brown. Love your take on this whole story.Happy new year.
Eldora Blandin Lougheide.