A Million Little Lies?

I heard a report on NPR yesterday that said that the editor from thesmokinggun.com had uncovered that many of the events in James Frey's memoir "A Million Little Pieces" were, shall we say, exaggerated.

I read the book a year ago or so ago and it was gripping, to say the least. It's about a crack addict/alcoholic who gets sent to an inpatient treatment center by his parents. My favorite part is where he describes his experience at the dentist. The treatment center doesn't allow him to have any type of painkiller, because that would be a drug. So, he supposedly underwent a dental procedure (he fell down a fire escape and busted out his front teeth) with no anesthesia or pain medication. He writes that he held two tennis balls in his hands and actually punctured them with his fingernails while the dental work was being done. It was compelling reading, let me tell you.

Whether or not the book is chock full of bold-faced lies, it's a good read. (Oprah even featured it as preferred reading for her book club.) And really, isn't any publicity good publicity? Think of all the hype this is creating about a book that has been out since 2003. (Not to mention that he has a second book out called "My Friend Leonard".) I think someone is going to be laughing his (lying?) ass all the way to the bank.