I’ve been reading about the continued controversy over James Frey’s memoir A Million Little Pieces over the last few days. Some of you may remember that the book got the Oprah seal of approval when she made it part of her book club. However, inconsistencies about his story eventually surfaced, leading Oprah to bring him back on the show to question him and, eventually, stripped the book of her endorsement. (BTW, I saw that episode and she didn’t hold anything back - girl was pissed).
The saga continues as Frey’s publisher, Nan Talese of Doubleday (who it turns out, could be equivalent to Oprah in the publishing world) has repeatedly criticized Oprah’s handling of the issue, particularly on Oprah’s claims that she felt “betrayed” by Frey’s fabricated events in what was presented as a true story. As Talese put it, Frey described himself as a liar, a cheat, and an addict when he submitted his manuscript; consequently, she did not believe she was reading “the New Testament.”
All of this back-and-forth over Frey’s book raised some questions. I’d say feeling betrayed is valid; for example, I think we’d all be pretty upset if we found out that parts of The Diary of Anne Frank were made up. You purchase a book and become invested in the story, possible *because* you believe it to be true. You want facts that can be held up against historical record and proved correct, thereby verifying the author’s experience…maybe.
I have to wonder if we can realistically expect that of a memoir. Memoirs tend to be looked at a subclass of the autobiography - erroneously so, I think - typically giving an account of one’s own life during one specific period or in reference to an overarching theme, rather than a history from childhood to adulthood. The word “memoir” refers to “memory” or “mind,” to personal observations made by the author. I’m not sure solid facts are as important to a memoir as they are to an autobiography. It would be one thing if I published an autobiography stating that I grew up Minnesota and was the first Native American President of the United States - those things are blatantly untrue. But it’s quite another thing if I were to write a memoir now at age 25 and then come back to read it in 30 years - I would probably have a very different perception of what was true.
I realize that my memoir scenario differs from Frey’s situation as he knowingly altered situations in his memoir, but I’m not sure if it matters all that much with all memoirs. There seems to be an emotional truth to what Frey wrote, regardless of what he made up.
Thoughts?
I watched Different Moms on Lifetime tonight. It follows three families headed by parents with varying levels of mental disabilities. This is definitely something you should watch if you have the opportunity. It’s both heartbreaking and inspiring. Heartbreaking in the sense that these parents are aware (most frequently made aware by outside influences) of the certain limitations they face in parenting their children, but inspiring because of the true love they have for their children. Parental rights are often taken away from these parents based solely on the fact that they have a disability, despite the fact that many of these people show more love to their children than their counterparts without disabilities.
I found this which gives some good information on the subject. Unfortunately, as this article states, information is scarce because a lack of organizations that support these families in their efforts to care for their children.
I don’t understand why people are choosing to assign blame to VT administration and law enforcement for this tragedy. I cannot stand how people are choosing to play Monday morning quarterback about this. It is so inappropriate and uncalled for. Obviously, VT has taken steps towards an investigation by asking Gov. Kaine to appoint a team to look into what happened. A call needed to be made and they made it. We cannot fault them for that.
The person to blame is dead. No one else is responsible for this. And what really gets me is that it seems the people doing the majority of the finger pointing are not even the ones who have truly suffered.
As many of you know, if Ross is interested in something it is all we discuss at the Catrow house. Honestly, I oftentimes just nod my head and grunt in response to Ross’s soap-box and/or nerded-out moments, but his latest issue of concern is actually of interest to me, both as a woman and a responsible citizen. Wait, that *might* imply that women aren’t responsible citizens, but I think you get what I mean.
You might be familiar with the One Less campaign that’s been on TV as of late. It advocates women and girls getting a vaccination for HPV, a virus that up 75% of women will get at some point AND is responsible for 90% of cervical cancer cases. If you are woman who takes good physical care of yourself and your parts, i.e. you go to the gynecologist every year, get your pap smear, do your breast exam every month, you are going to be somewhat prepared if ever presented with a dreaded diagnosis of cancer because you will probably detect it very early. I would consider myself one of these women. I am very aware of what is going on with my body. Not only that, I am in a monogomous relationship and do not engage in what some might call “risky behavior” that might expose me to STDs. However, I’d jump at the chance to get a vaccination that makes yet another woman’s issue a non-issue for me.
The CDC is recommending that all girls (because HPV seems to have no lasting effect on boys) get this vaccination before going into middle school, along with the whole other round of shots they get. Legislators in 10 states are even working to make it a requirement, just MMR vaccinations and the like. Women and girls who want the vaccine are even having trouble getting it.
And yet there are some people who believe that vaccinating kids against an STD will encourage them to have premarital sex because, hey, it will be one less thing for them to worry about. I mean I know that once I got my tentanus shot before going to college I ran right out and tap-danced on some rusty nails because finally I was free!!!!!!! Now that I have my flu shot, I’m going to go lick every doorknob in school BECAUSE I CAN!!!!!! I hope you sensed my sarcasm.
We need to weigh the options here. Do we really want to run the chance of more women and girls getting cervical cancer because we think giving them a shot will give them the greenlight to go have sex? I guarantee if you ask any sexually active or non-sexually active teenager what scares them about having sex they will say A) pregnancy B) HIV/AIDS C) my parents finding out and killing me. I really don’t think you will hear much concern over HPV or cervical cancer. It’s not an issue for them and it doesn’t have to be. We have a vaccine for a virus that leads to cancer. Did you read that? A vaccine for cancer. I was sure flying cars would come first. I’m just thanking my lucky stars here and maybe everyone else should be doing the same.
