James Frey’s best-selling personal memoir of addiction and personal redemption is once again the subject of much controversy. Frey appeared on Larry King recently to face charges that some of the parts in his book were fabricated. Oprah herself called into the King show to defend the man whose book she had chosen for the most coveted “Book of the Month.” On her own show recently, she faced Frey head on with the claim that he was “the man who duped Oprah” and told him and the world about how embarrassed she was by the whole situation. “Someone”, she said, “has to stand up for the truth.”
It must be said that Frey was brave enough to admit that he did indeed lie about many instances in the book. One issue concerning the length of time he spent in jail was argued, and he admitted he changed the facts from a few hours to a few months just for the sake of dramatic value. But the real issue, as Oprah so eloquently stated, is a lot deeper. If he told a little lie about one part of the book, then how can anyone believe that the whole book isn’t a lie?
Guest Richard Cohen of the Washington Post commended Oprah for admitting in front of everyone that she was wrong to defend Frey. He also stressed that the whole matter could have been avoided if the publisher had hired a fact checker. “The publisher”, he said, “must take some responsibility for this.”
Frey was visibly shaken by the whole matter and admitted that he made many mistakes. Oprah reiterated that she was wrong, because in defending him she was saying that the truth doesn’t matter. And it does.
But surely the road to redemption begins with honesty and responsibility for one’s actions. Frey made that move by admitting his lies and facing his accusers. Oprah closed the show by saying, “This is not about misrepresentation but about how much value society places on the truth.”
How much does it place? What do YOU think?