I thought this story sounded interesting when I heard it for the first time, but apparently it's...fudged. (NYT)
"Herman revealed to me that part of his memoir was not true. He’d invented the crux of this amazing love story–about the girl at the fence who threw him an apple–which drew my attention when I read it in a major magazine [Guideposts] two years ago. All of the story about Herman in the concentration camps and the love and survival of him and his brothers, he states is true. I understand why Berkley has chosen to withdraw publication of this book. Like millions of others who read this story or saw Herman and Roma on Oprah, I never for a moment questioned the authenticity of the widely circulated story. I know that everyone who has worked so hard with Herman this past year is as stunned and disappointed as I am that this story of hope has such a sad ending.”

Best Internet Variety Show (and Good Luck Getting Anything Done, Ever) in 2005! 


Herman says he's not even sorry he fudged this story. He says it gives hope to people. Um, okay, Herman. Non-fiction accounts give people hope. Fiction stories let people derive hope. Lies? Give people disgust. Disgust is the OPPOSITE of hope. And people react badly to being disgusted by lies. Just ask James Frey.
Posted by: pam | December 29, 2008 at 05:36 PM