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Fake Memoirist Frey Implies Dirt on Oprah

Excerpt from new book seems to be based on Frey's experience

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted May 5, 2009 9:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – Does James Frey—who achieved infamy when Oprah Winfrey denounced his fake addiction memoir A Million Little Pieces—have dirt on the talk-show queen? That’s what he seems to imply in new novel Bright Shiny Morning, the New York Post reports. The paperback edition, out May 12, includes an omitted passage in which a disgraced character discovers (and tapes) a secret about a talk-show host.

“Someday he might discuss it. Someday he might tell his side of it. Someday he might play the tapes. Someday,” is one excerpt. As to its basis—or not—in truth, Frey said, “The book is fiction. Interpret it however you want.”

Author James Frey listens during an interview before a 2008 book signing in New York.
Author James Frey listens during an interview before a 2008 book signing in New York.   (AP Photo)
This file photo shows Oprah Winfrey, right, on Jan. 26, 2006, during her live interview with James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces.
This file photo shows Oprah Winfrey, right, on Jan. 26, 2006, during her live interview with James Frey, author of "A Million Little Pieces."   (Harpo Productions)
The cover of James Frey's A Million Little Pieces.
The cover of James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces."   (Getty Images)
James Frey's new novel, Bright Shiny Morning.
James Frey's new novel, "Bright Shiny Morning."   (Amazon.com)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
inky
May 5, 2009 3:40 AM CDT
I hope the pen is still mightier than Oprah's media-megalomaniac "sword" and Frey gives as good as he got. If Oprah wants to take him to task for his creative non-fiction, then she'd better brace herself for his hyper-realistic fiction. It really ticks me off that she's appointed herself America's Library Lady.
Alexandria
May 5, 2009 3:14 AM CDT
The key word here is "imply." While his story was fake, it was still amazing. I don't see why people got so upset about it. It was a book, fictional or not, it was still good.

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