Kaavya Vishwanathan- more grist for the mill

[Guest guest]

Here's the latest on KV and her writings:

 

Young Author Faces 2nd Plagiarism Claim Tue May 2, 10:37 AM ET

BOSTON - A Harvard sophomore's novel, pulled from the market last

week after the author acknowledged mimicking portions of another

writer's work, appears to contain passages copied from a second book.

 

A reader alerted The New York Times to at least three portions

of "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life" that are

similar to passages in the novel "Can You Keep a Secret?" by Sophie

Kinsella.

 

While the plots of the two books are distinct, the phrasing and

structure of some passages is nearly identical, the Times reported

Tuesday.

 

In one scene in "Can You Keep a Secret," which was published by Dial

Press, the main character, Emma, comes upon two friends "in a full-

scale argument about animal rights," and one says, "The mink like

being made into coats."

 

In Kaavya Viswanathan's book, Opal encounters two girls having "a

full-fledged debate over animal rights."

 

"The foxes want to be made into scarves," one of them says.

 

There are also similarities in details and descriptions. Jack, the

love interest in Kinsella's novel, has a scar on his hand; so does

Sean, the romantic hero in "Opal." Jack has "eyes so dark they're

almost black." So does Sean.

 

"Can You Keep a Secret" was published in 2004, more than a year

before Little, Brown signed then 17-year-old Viswanathan to a

reported six-figure deal to write "Opal" and another novel.

 

Viswanathan did not return a call for comment Tuesday. She refused

comment to the Times.

 

Last week, Little, Brown announced it would pull copies of "Opal"

after dozens of similarities were found with two novels by Megan

McCafferty.

 

Viswanathan acknowledged borrowing from McCafferty's work but

claimed it was unintentional.

 

Kinsella's book was published by Dial Press, which is owned by

Random House Inc., as is McCafferty's publisher, the Crown

Publishing Group.

 

Random House spokesman Stuart Applebaum told The Associated Press on

Tuesday that his company won't be commenting further on the matter.

[Guest guest]

Wow. Sounds like a book made by process rather than inspiration.

 

Sounds like she went through books she liked, pulled out interesting quotes,

changed a few words, and figured that would get her off the hook.

 

I mean, this is obvious.

 

Ouch.

 

I guess Opal didn't get a life, she STOLE a life.

 

Wonder if she's gonna have to repay the half mil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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