James Frey calls off Toronto appearance

Controversial author James Frey, who penned A Million Little Pieces, has cancelled his Jan. 28 Toronto appearance, according to local news reports.

A Toronto Star article says Kepler Speakers, which organized the event, said it had no information about rescheduling the appearance.  Frey was scheduled to appear at the Elgin Winter Garden.

Frey’s memoir, a personal tale of drug abuse and rehabilitation, shot to the No. 2 bestseller spot for 2005 on the recommendation of talk show host Oprah Winfrey. Since Oprah’s October anointment, Frey’s version of events has been called into question.

In January, American website TheSmokingGun.com said a number of incidents described in the book were “fictionalized” or embellished by the author. It disputes Frey’s contention he served three months in jail and was blamed for a car crash that killed two students while he was in high school.

Frey claims to have 14 convictions, but the website says it could only unearth one record in Ohio where the author was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in a few hours in custody.  Frey says he asked for some of his convictions to be expunged from public record.

While appearing on CNN’s Larry King show, Frey said he embellished parts of the book:  "The book is about drug addiction and alcoholism. The emotional truth is there."

Frey said the memoir genre allows for writers to take "liberties."

Winfrey called the show, on Jan. 11, saying "the underlying message of redemption still resonates for me."  Winfrey has since announced her latest Book Club choice, another memoir, Night by Elie Wiesel.

Frey’s publisher Doubleday issued a statement saying, "We stand in support of our author, James Frey, and his book, which has touched the lives of millions of readers."

Frey recently signed a two-book deal with Riverhead Books and his second book, My Friend Leonard, is on the bestseller list.