Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 5:53:21 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Shiny Morning No New Dawn for Frey

Posted May 13, 08 7:23 AM CDT in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – The flap over James Frey's memoir-that-really-wasn't was bound to cast some clouds over his new novel Bright Shiny Morning. But lack of believability continues to be a key issue for the author with his "execrable" new book of two-dimensional characters in a city that bears little resemblance to LA, writes David L. Ulin in the Los Angeles Times.

The fake memoir A Million Little Pieces that triggered major problems for the author at least highlighted some writing skill, zings Ulin. "Whatever else his failings as a writer, Frey was once able to move his readers," Ulin writes. "It's just one of the ironies of this new book that his fictionalized memoir is a better novel than Bright Shiny Morning could ever hope to be."

Source Los Angeles Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Gang Memoir Exposed as Fiction

    Mar 4, 08 7:50 AM CST
    Gang Memoir Exposed as Fiction Margaret Jones' acclaimed memoir of a half-Native American girl growing up in a foster home in South Central LA and running with gangs, Love and Consequences, turns out to be fiction, the New York Times reports. Jones, whose real name is Seltzer, grew up with her birth parents in an affluent LA neighborhood; she was busted when her sister spotted her photo in a Times feature about the book and called her publisher.
     More »

  • Fake Memoir Author Pens Debut Novel

    Sep 13, 07 2:51 AM CDT
    Fake Memoir Author Pens Debut Novel Disgraced author James Frey, whose memoir "A Million Little Pieces" was revealed as fiction last year, will publish a debut novel, "Bright Shiny Morning," with HarperCollins, the Wall Street Journal reports. Frey's fabricated memoir about losing his life to drug addiction sold some 3 million copies and nabbed a coveted spot on Oprah's book list. More »

This photo released by HarperCollins shows the cover of "Bright Shiny Morning," by James Frey.   (AP Photo/Terry Richardson,HarperCollins)
This photo released by HarperCollins shows James Frey, author of "Bright Shiny Morning".   (AP Photo/Terry Richardson,HarperCollins)
James Frey poses for a portrait outside a cafe in New York in this March 24, 2003 file photo.   (AP Photo/Gino Domenico)
This file photo shows Oprah Winfrey, right, on Jan. 26, 2006, during her live television interview with James Frey, author of "A Million Little Pieces," in Chicago.   (AP Photo/Harpo Productions, George Burns)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
James Frey discusses "Bright Shiny Morning."   (Harper1817)

« Prev « Prev  |  Next » Next »
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

Los Angeles  • book reviews  • memoir  • fiction  • novel  • James Frey  • A Million Little Pieces


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »