DALLAS, July 30, 2007
James Frey-Oprah Winfrey Feud Isn't Over
Editor Of Disputed Memoir Calls Oprah's Denunciation Of Author "Fiercely Bad Manners"
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A judge approved a tentative settlement in May, calling for publishing house Random House and author James Frey to refund $2.35 million to those who bought his book before his appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show. (AP)
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Photo Essay Oprah Winfrey She connects with fans and runs with some of the world's most powerful people.
The book was a best-seller after Winfrey chose it for her book club in fall 2005. Frey later acknowledged that the memoir contained many fictitious episodes, and Winfrey, who initially defended the author, denounced him in person on her TV show.
Nan A. Talese was with Frey on that show. At a session of a nonfiction writers' conference in Dallas on Saturday, she accused Winfrey of "fiercely bad manners" and said she would have done nothing differently in how she handled Frey's manuscript.
"I'm afraid I'm unapologetic of the whole thing. And the only person who should be apologetic is Oprah Winfrey," Talese said, according to The Dallas Morning News.
As for Frey's use of fictitious elements in his ostensibly factual account of addiction and recovery, Talese said: "When someone starts out and says, 'I have been an alcoholic. I have lied. I have cheated.' … You do not think this is going to be the New Testament."
A judge approved a tentative settlement in May, calling for publishing house Random House and Frey to refund $2.35 million to those who bought his book before his appearance on Winfrey's show.
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- I AGRRE WITH CRICKETMK3, BESIDE IF OPRAH IS SO WORRIED ABOUT IT WHY DOESN'T SHE DO THE REFUNDS
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- I AGRRE WITH CRICKETMK3, BESIDE IF OPRAH IS SO WORRIED ABOUT IT WHY DOESN'T SHE DO THE REFUNDS
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- It is a story about a man who is drug on drugs, and maybe to him while being under the influence he believes those things did happen. How would Oprah know, and who is Oprah people make her out to be more than she is. A over-sized news reporter turned talkshow host who was still oversized, but know she has a lot of money.... so she is able to hire people to push her to work out and fix her planned healthy meals...
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- The guy is a dam addict and a liar, as most addicts are.
And as usual the addicts will support the lying of another addict; take no blame FOR LYING; and blame Oprah instead.
If Oprah says nothing, the it leaves the impression to readers that she was in on the SCAM, that bilked readers!
If the LYING ADDICT did not misrepresent himself and his tall tale, then the JUDGE would not have imposed a HEFTY sanction.
And if the buyers of the BIG LIE had no problem between fact and FICTION of a LYING ADDICT, then they won't take a refund! It's that simple.
The publisher is a LYING THIEF!
She should be jailed! - Reply to this comment
- I have never understood the controversy over this whole thing. So the author embellished his story...it happens every day. There are many people who enjoyed reading Frey's book and it touched many lives. So what if it's not 100% real. Oprah did show bad manners over the whole thing and those who took refunds for the book, shame on you...you read it didn't you?
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- Oprah says she leaves nothing (that has her name attached) to any one else but herself...signs her own checks..etc. Why would she not be more responsible in making sure her literary pick was bonafide? She got played and is just mad that someone got over on her. So to retaliate she destroys the author? Yeah...power corrupts. Oprah needs to check herself.
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