Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

Three Million Pages of Little Lies

. By
Los Angeles, CAIf you bought James Frey's "memoir" A Million Little Pieces and didn't chuck it in the recycle bin after discovering, like Oprah Winfrey did—that it was a fraud; if it is still tucked behind War and Peace or wedged between real memoirs such as Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes or George Orwell's Down and Out,you can send page 163 to Random House for a refund.

On March 19th, the Los Angeles Times reported that U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell gave preliminary approval to fully refund readers who purchased the book before Jan, 26, 2006, unless other expenses exceed $2.35 million. Claims must be filed to Random House by October 1st. Potentially, three million pieces of paper (page 163 to be exact) can be returned to the publisher. The hardcover sold for $23.95 and the paperback edition flew off the shelves for about $14.95.

The million little lies were first discovered by The Smoking Gun, an investigative Web site, alleging that Frey exaggerated and invented many events in the book. Doubleday, a division of Random House, the book's publisher, issued a statement promising to issue refunds to readers who purchased directly from the publisher. And Oprah, after she had been duped, issued an apology to the public. Although Frey later confessed (and publicly to Oprah) that he had indeed made up parts of the "memoir", Random House stated on Friday, May 18th that "Random House and James Frey vigorously deny any wrongdoing and liability" but the company also agreed to a settlement "to halt the substantial expense and distraction" created by the lawsuits.

Definition of memoir: "An account of the personal experiences of an author; a narrative nonfiction written like fiction. For instance, dialogue is included, but since few people can remember precisely every word spoken, the dialogue is not literally true; instead the author attempts to recreate it as accurately as possible."

[Random House] states that: This settlement has just received preliminary court approval and the public notice regarding the terms of the settlement will be posted by Random House shortly on this website.

READ MORE ABOUT Business

ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS STORY

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.


Click to learn more about LawyersandSettlements.com

Request Legal Help Now! - Free