Would you buy the new James Frey book?
Vanity Fair has a huge piece on the whole James Frey scandal. I actually really liked his first book in terms of the style of writing and breaking all the writing rules. I am curious, after everything that has happened, would you buy his new book? (A work of fiction, of course) [MonicaBhide}
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May 1, 2008 Writing
I didn’t read Frey’s first book. Prior to the controversy, I thought about picking it up but didn’t because I hate when authors take license with standard writing conventions. After the controversy, I just lost interest in reading it.
I’m reading a book right now called “Those Who Save Us” and it’s pretty good, but the author doesn’t use quotation marks, which is really annoying and seems to serve no purpose. With Frey’s book, I could see the argument that the unconventional style represented the turmoil going on in his head, but otherwise I don’t get it.
Only if I was being paid to review it
When I feel betrayed by a writer, it’s as if my family betrayed me, no matter how artfully it’s done. I’m not gonna even take Frey’s new book out from the library.I realize that that great writer=nice person has been repudiated throughout history, but with modern writers I can draw my own line.
I admired “The Corrections” but I’ll never read anything by Franzen. Too good for Oprah’s Book Club indeed. I don’t need that monstrous attitude. (Er not that Ms. O is 100 percent in her picks. )
I really liked James Frey’s first book and the visually raw way that it was written. However, I get the feeling that all of his writing will be that same intense, emotional drain, and I had my fill with book number one. That said, I think many writers write fiction that’s initiated by non-fiction, and some non-fiction has some exaggeration in it, but he clearly went past acceptable embellishment to the extreme of making stuff up. so I guess no is my answer!