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Million Little Mistakes. Also on the Calgary Herald Q.When James Frey's memoir "A Million Little Pieces" came about, he was given the gift of a lifetime - becoming one of the lucky authors picked for "Oprah's Book Club" choice. When she unveiled Frey's book, her audience was thrilled. The book brought forward his dramatic story of his stories before overcoming his addictions. His book was an inspiration for millions of people coping with their illnesses. But early in January, The Smoking Gun exposed Frey as a liar when they uncovered police files, documents and interviews proving that James wasn't all he was cracked up to be. Oprah went up to bat for him on Larry King and then only a few weeks later, placed him on her couch and interrogated him until his eyes swelled up with tears. James Frey admitted to stretching the truth on a couple of instances in his book. He admitted he was not completely honest with the readers who believed they were reading a memoir, or even to himself. But beyond his apparent exaggerations, he has also been noted as a person who has shown a light at the end of the tunnel for millions of people struggling through their addictions whether he lied or not. If anything, kudos should be given to James for addressing this mental illness many people choose to ignore. With her over-the-top reaction on her daily hour of fame, proclaiming that he duped millions of readers with his lies of exaggeration, she also helped sell more of his books. Even I bought one of the 3.5 million copies which have been sold to date. What I really question is her motivation behind bitch slapping James on her show. Was she genuinely concerned about readers getting the wrong idea by reading his book, thinking that every word read was true? Was she concerned that her reputation was going to be shot because she lifted James up to super-author profile only to be told that he's not as holy as she thought he was? Or was she more concerned about her own image and her name? Did he deserve what Oprah dished out to him on live television? Absolutely not. She could have had a private discussion with him or sent him a letter expressing her views. In my opinion James Frey learned an awfully difficult lesson in front of millions of primetime viewers, including an audience who booed him, by the pending lawsuits surrounding him and his publishing house, wary readers now cautious of what next works he pens, and to himself who he has most likely let down the most. Posted by Bella at 5:05 PM# 1 Comments: A bit distanced from what you're saying, but it does remind me of a comic book author, Micah Wright. By
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