A night with author James Frey

‘Bad boy of American literature’ speaks at the Bedford Playhouse

Author James Frey recently participated in a discussion about his work and his new novel, “Next to Heaven,” at the Bedford Playhouse. He was interviewed by author and Bedford Books owner Fran Hauser. ( LOGAN KREISBERG photo)

By LOGAN KREISBERG

Community members gathered in the Bedford Playhouse’s largest theater for a lively conversation recently with James Frey, the author once dubbed “the bad boy of American literature” by The New York Times. 

The bestselling writer appeared June 25 as part of a promotional tour for his new novel, “Next to Heaven,” in an event moderated by Fran Hauser, author and owner of Bedford Books. It packed the theater’s 160-seat main room.

The novel, a biting satire of high-class suburban life in New Bethlehem, a town resembling New Canaan, Conn., where Frey lives, has sparked interest among local readers. Frey described the book as a commentary on wealth and the power of money. 

As he began writing the book, Frey said he didn’t have a sense for the themes or key points. The author said he is a Taoist and sits cross-legged on a black velvet, custom-made chair.

“When I write a book, I go through a real, real weird process,” Frey said. “I start thinking about a specific idea and then it comes.”

Frey talked about his writing over the 57 days he created “Next to Heaven.” He said he writes from around 10 a.m. until 2 or 4 a.m., and uses only two fingers to type.

“I move all while I write … I’m a prancer,” Frey said. “But it’s also about finding this place of a very deep hyperfocus.”

In terms of plotting, Frey does not plan ahead. 

“A book comes, and it comes in its entirety,” the 55-year-old author said. 

When the novel was released, Frey said he received positive reviews from his neighbors but doesn’t know what his town, which he satirized, thinks about it. 

“If I go to town, I get stopped, and people want to talk about it, and so I just don’t go into town,” Frey said. “And I haven’t sought out opinions.”

Not all of the discussion focused on the novel. During the event, one attendee went off-topic and brought up Frey’s well-known clash with Oprah Winfrey, referencing the controversy that followed her public condemnation of his memoir “A Million Little Pieces.” 

“I don’t spend much time thinking about her, man,” Frey said while shrugging. “In a lot of ways, it was magnificent, it was a dream come true.” 

When he finished writing “Next to Heaven” and it was published, Frey had to promote the book. As a champion of independent bookstores, he quickly formed a connection with Hauser and Bedford Books. 

“He mentioned to me that he had a book coming out in July, and he left me an advance copy to read,” Hauser told The Recorder. 

When the store began hosting events, she invited Frey to participate. He readily accepted. 

In a special arrangement with Frey’s publisher, Authors Equity, Bedford Books was one of two independent bookstores granted permission to sell signed copies of “Next to Heaven” two weeks before its June 17 release. The other was Elm Street Books in New Canaan. 

Since Bedford Book’s opening in December, the store has hosted 52 events, with more planned throughout the summer. But drawing Frey to a conversation at the Bedford Playhouse was special. 

Frey said he tries to “overwhelm” readers when he writes, which is what he said earned him the title of America’s literary bad boy.

“I want you to feel great joy … I want you to feel lust, love, passion,” Frey said. “But I also want you to feel disgust, fear and hate. And I will try to make you feel all of them relentlessly.”

Frey’s unapologetic style and unfiltered approach are central to how he sees both his work and his place in the world.

“I think I’m the best in the world at what I do,” Frey said.