After a while certain people started to question Frey's honesty because the story is very extreme. So there were investigations made into the background of his story. It didn't take long to figure out that some of the more "interesting" aspects of his memoir were...incorrect...fabricated...made-up.
Frey came forward and admitted that some of the more scandalous sections of the novel were perhaps a loose portrayal of what actually happened. Because of this, sometimes the novel is classified as a memoir...other times it's classified as fiction. Take your pick...
As for my opinion on the book...I'm split. I'll start off by saying that it is extremely harsh with vivid descriptions and rough language. Many have said that they don't like Frey's writing style and that it was hard to relate to him. I can see this, but at the same time there was instances where I could definitely see why he acted the way he did.
This book is not for the faint at heart. If this type of topic interests you and you're mentally prepared to read the "f" word a lot and hear graphic details...go for it. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to simply shelf this one.
awe, sorry you didn't love it as much as I did!
ReplyDeleteNow I am torn about reading it. It really doesn't sound like my kinda thing. I may pass on it...it was the next on my shelf that I was gonna read.
ReplyDeleteSo. That book has been sitting on my bookshelf for 3 years, and I have yet to pick it up. I got it for 50 cents at the public library book sale. I think I need to take a look at what all the fuss is about.
ReplyDeleteI read this after the 'scandal' and knew that it was not a true story. I wondered why anyone thought that it was all true, I wasn't sold on a couple of the major parts. All James Frey had to do was say it was 'Based on a True Story.' But it is one of those stories that I could see the events that happened in it taking place in real life. I wouldn't say I enjoyed the book, you don't really enjoy this kind of story, but I did really like this book. I like to read all different kinds of stories and this one was definitely a look into a darker side of drug addiction and the horrible roads it can take someone down.
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