One more thing about Frey
Apparently there is a little more to say about the James Frey fiasco. In an interesting essay on the calendarlive.com site, Tim Rutten disputes Frey’s assertion that his book’s literary merit and therapeutic message of hope and healing easily trump those pesky autobiographical discrepancies that everyone is making such a fuss about. Frey’s book dismisses counselling methods that have helped millions of addicts recover and lead meaningful lives, claiming that what every addict needs to do is just stop being such a victim and face up to their own problems. Rutten points out the danger in this: “If [Frey’s conclusions] were based on his actual analysis of his actual experience that would be one thing. But precisely what are they, if they are based — as we now know they are — on a lurid series of fictions? What sort of people appeal to a ‘higher’ or ‘essential’ literary truth in urging suffering individuals to disregard sound medical and psychological advice?” Rutten then provides two choice adjectives to describe such people: “sleazy” and “despicable.” (Thanks to bookninja.com for the link.)
Related links:
Read Tim Rutten’s essay on calendarlive.com
