The Smoking Gun & James Frey

I’m not sure what to think about this one.  I hold James Frey up there pretty high; the guy started out doing pretty much what we do (and have done) here, and then took it to the next level, becoming a best selling author not once, but twice.  This guy is definitely a motivating factor as to why Junkylife is even around, he and Lonny Shavelson (just to give some credit.)

Frey’s website can be found here, at Big Jim Industries.  Not that I need to direct any more traffic that way, it looks like they’re reverting some of it to a Lao Tzu book at Amazon for the time being.  I can’t see the site right now, but I’m certain that Frey keeps a weblog similar to those kept here.

So a few weeks after Frey appears on Oprah to promote his book, the Smoking Gun comes out with some rather serious information concerning falsities in Frey’s first book, A Million Little Pieces, one of which apparently can be verified (and has been by USA Today.)  A detail or two, such as Frey’s claim to have, at one time, punched a cop during an arrest.  Interviewed, the arresting officer says Frey was taken in without incident, quietly, and quickly posted bond.  While one has to ask, who trusts a cop, it appears that the Smoking Gun has uncovered legal documentation that backs up some of these allegations and not in Frey’s favor. 

What surprises me is how hard these organizations are working to discredit Frey.  Falsities or not (and certainly not to down-play Frey), but up until his recent success, his story is not all that uncommon.  What is it about this guy that makes TSG want to go after him in the first place?  Is it the success of an addict that some folks find repulsize, or is it simply the addict himself?

Either way, too bad.  Despite James’ views on what causes addiction, I loved both of these books and will always think highly of them, even if the whole thing were to be proven untrue.  After reading his first, I sent an email to James and was surprised to get a response.  Frey and I exchanged emails every now and then over the course of a couple of years and was always friendly and insightful.  We both went to the same rehab and in fact were in the same unit so certain details of the book meant a little more to me then maybe the average reader. I personally hope Frey is able to supply the necessary detail in order to confirm his writings and move forward with his success.  I’ll certainly be looking out for new works and look forward to catching the book-based film in the works.