Lena Dunham's memoir--WARNING sensitive topics
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Lena Dunham's memoir--WARNING sensitive topics
- bookowlie
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A) She is a celebrity and wants more attention. Don't they all?!
B) She probably got a big advance payment for writing the book, and the publisher and/or editor told her she needs to have "sizzle" or controversial parts. That's why I think she wrote about "exploring" with her little sister and the supposed date rape at college.
c) Memoirs should have a certain credibility to them, as should all non-fiction books. I think the publisher had a responsibility to do some fact-checking on the controversial parts.
D) I don't think memoirs have to include a certain amount of personal growth. In this case, I think the title of Ms. Dunham's book makes the reader assume there will be some personal growth included.
E) I don't know if she was shocked by the backlash, since I think she likes being surrounded by controversy. She seems to thrive on controversy, and frequently likes to make controversial comments in the media about different things. However, I do think she was shocked by the level of the backlash. I haven't read the book, but I think the sales of the book were affected by the credibility questions. It reminded me a little of the credibility issues surrounding James Frey's memoir, A Million Little Pieces. Oprah picked the book for her book club, and then she came down really hard on him.
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B) "Sizzle." Hm... I'm wondering if I had a publisher who wanted "sizzle," what would I give him?
C) I completely agree with this, but what I don't understand is how that fact-checking doesn't happen. What are they thinking? If they've got a big name, doesn't it occur to them that they need to verify things? Like, what if Amy Poehler's memoir "outed" Tina Fey as really being a man? It just seems that someone is sleeping at the wheel, you know? I just can't grasp how Dunham's memoir got published with no concern for public outcry.
D) Actually, Dunham's memoir kind of reminded me of the Rabbit books by John Updike. No insight, no awareness, no nothing, almost to the point where that in and of itself makes it worth reading, if you're a psychology student. My mom got it for my sister for Christmas, and my sister is studying social work.
E) What you wrote there explains a lot to me. I remember the Frey scandal. Do NOT cross the Oprah! She scares me. A lot. <Shudder.>
- bookowlie
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Do not cross the Oprah" ha ha ha
Wait until Lena Dunham makes some obnoxious comment about Oprah and watch the fallout.
- amybo82
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I think she probably used poetic license when writing the book, and any time I read a memoir, I take it with a grain of salt. I was burned by James Frey right along with Oprah, and since then, I've been less trusting of the stories that people tell of their own lives. Don't get me wrong--I love memoirs, and I'll continue to read them, but I will also be reserved about what I actually believe.
I didn't know about the controversy surrounding the book before I read it, but I think controversy helps books sell! I also think that college rape is an extremely hot topic right now, and she jumped in to talk about it. Actually, I thought this was one redeeming quality of the book. She speaks candidly and honestly to bring sensitive topics to light. I don't think it is the responsibility of any author to warn people about the contents of their books. All kinds of people find all kinds of things offensive. Do all Peanuts books need to have a warning that say "This book contains the word blockhead!"? To me, that's just another form of censorship. If you're someone who is easily offended, it's up to you to do the research--read reviews, find out about the author, etc.--before you commit to reading a book. And, if you start reading and you don't like it, you can always stop!
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On the other hand, of course you're right that all kinds of people find all kinds of things offensive. I'm certainly not into censorship, and it would be hard to draw the line on what would merit a warning, but it reminds me of the way movies are rated PG-13, R, etc., but books aren't. You know going into a movie without having to do any research, "Oh, the movie is rated R, so it might offend me." But there's no equal system for books, just an "age-range" thing. (Middle grades, YA, etc.) That doesn't equate, though, at being an adult and being able to read anything without being offended. For example, I can't go see an R movie, because I am easily offended, but books don't carry that warning on them.
Hm. Interesting conversation!