Editors: Nikki Tranter and Anne K. Yoder
The dual deceptions of memoirists James Frey and J.T. LeRoy have raised questions about truth in creative non-fiction, the publicists’ role in promoting that truth correctly, and just what “memoir” means when the writer’s recall and perceptions are his own. PopMatters‘ writers and contributors dig into the scandal, finding their own truthful reactions and responses to lit’s latest tricksters. Mark Mordue looks at essential truth in creative non-fiction; Jesse Hicks explores themes of redemption in memoir writing; James Withers questions his own judgment following personal communication with LeRoy; Jodie Janella Horn critiques Oprah’s Frey-slaying; and recovering addict Katharine Jose looks at rehab-lit and how Frey’s wrongheaded notions of uniqueness contributed to his undoing.
Nikki Tranter