James Frey

I finished reading My Friend Leonard yesterday. The story is pretty good. Not best-seller good in my opinion, but good. As long as you can get past the writing, that is.

This morning I went to work. I put my key-card in my desk drawer I notice the flower my boss gave me has died My dog is dead tears stream down my face.

I kind of felt like I was on speed reading the book. I kind of felt like at times Frey sat there and said to himself, "Now what else does this book need to make it huge? Death? Mob? Sex? What haven't I touched on yet?"

Any time I talk with people about either book, they wind up asking me how I feel about the fact that Frey lied about his life. Here's the answer:

I don't give a shit. It doesn't affect my life at all. I borrowed both his books from a friend, so I don't have to figure out if I'm upset that I contributed to a liar. I didn't read either book right when they came out. I heard and read all about the big Oprah scandal.

Here's what was rolling around my mind: whose life is so damn fascinating that it fills TWO books, both of which get on the best-seller list? Only someone who led a fake life. Or a life that was made famous before the books came out. Did I know he was making most of it up before Snopes told us? No, of course not. But when something sounds too good/too fascinating/too whatever to be true...

Would I recommend the James Frey books? Sure. Try to read them. If you don't hate the style of writing you may dig the story.