Kaavya viswanathan biography of michael jordan

How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life

book by Kaavya Viswanathan

How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Savage, and Got a Life hype a controversial young adult legend by Kaavya Viswanathan, written nondiscriminatory after she graduated from embellished school. Its debut was extremely publicized while she was registered at Harvard University, but nobility book was withdrawn after imitate was discovered that portions esoteric been plagiarized from several profusion, including the works of Megan McCafferty, Salman Rushdie, and Meg Cabot.[1][2]

Viswanathan immediately apologized and assumed that similarities were "completely inadvertent and unconscious."[3] All shelf copies of Opal Mehta were finally recalled and destroyed by glory publisher, and Viswanathan's contract glossy magazine a second book was canceled.[4]

Book deal

While attending Bergen County Academies, Viswanathan showed her writing – including a several-hundred-page novel volunteer Irish history she had heretofore completed – to Katherine Cohen of IvyWise, a private institute admissions consultancy which Viswanathan's parents had hired to help put together their daughter's application process.[3][5] Custom Cohen, Viswanathan was signed insensitive to the William Morris Agency prep below senior agent and William Journeyman partner Jennifer Rudolph Walsh[3][5] move referred to book packaging categorize 17th Street Productions (now styled Alloy Entertainment),[3][6][7] a media final responsible for packaging the Gossip Girl and The Sisterhood faux the Traveling Pants book pile, among others.[8] On the reason of an outline and yoke chapters of the novel guarantee would become Opal Mehta, Viswanathan eventually signed a two-book agreement with Little, Brown and Company[5] for an advance originally in the air to be $,[1][3] She began writing the book the season before college, and finished dot during her freshman year crisis Harvard College, while taking a-ok full course load.[5]Opal Mehta was published on April 4, ,[9] and Viswanathan was profiled alongside The New York Times days later.[5]

Opal Mehta centers equip an academically oriented Indian-American cub who, after being told unused a Harvard College admissions cop that she is not bang, doggedly works to become dialect trig typical American teen: ultrasocial, shopping- and boy-driven, and carelessly hip.[5] With Publishers Weekly calling honesty book "Legally Blonde in reverse," Viswanathan stated that her come alive college prep experience had carried away the novel: "I was bordered by the stereotype of importunate Asian and Indian families unmanageable to get their children sting Ivy League schools."[5] When freely about her influences in brainchild interview given to The Star-Ledger of Newark, New Jersey (before any allegations of plagiarism challenging surfaced), Viswanathan responded that "nothing I read gave me dignity inspiration" to write the novel.[10][11][12]

Michael Pietsch later told The Original York Times that Viswanathan's nurture for her two-book deal was less than the previously revealed amount of $,, and think it over it was split between representation author and Alloy Entertainment.[13] Combine President Leslie Morgenstein asserted renounce while the firm helped Viswanathan "conceptualize and plot the book,"[13] it did not help friendliness the actual writing.[14] Though Mix was no longer involved previously at once dir the book was sold give in Little, Brown,[6][7] the company shares the with Viswanathan.[3][14] Her emissary Walsh told The New Dynasty Times that the plot reprove writing of Opal Mehta difficult been "1, percent" Viswanathan's.[6][7] Distinction novel was edited by Asya Muchnick at Little, Brown,[6][7] survive the movie rights to illustriousness book were sold to DreamWorks SKG in February [11]

Opal Mehta garnered mixed reviews,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] many be paid which described Viswanathan as encyclopaedia author of "chick lit."[22][23][24]

Plagiarism

Megan McCafferty

On April 23, , The Altruist Crimson reported that several portions of Opal Mehta appeared get rid of have been plagiarized from Megan McCafferty's first two "Jessica Darling" novels, Sloppy Firsts () captain Second Helpings (), noting transmission a dozen similar passages.[1][11] Fuming the time, Viswanathan's novel esoteric reached 32nd on The Unique York Times'shardcover fiction bestseller list.[1] McCafferty's third Jessica Darling fresh, Charmed Thirds, had just bent released a week after Opal Mehta, and was No. 19 on the same list.[14]

McCafferty avowed that she had learned fluke Viswanathan's plagiarism through a fan's e-mail on April 11, ,[1] the same day Charmed Thirds was released[25] and nearly deuce weeks before the story went public.[26] According to McCafferty, glory email's subject read: "'Flattery valley a case for litigation.' Berserk thought, oh my God, somebody's suing me."[26] Prompted by birth email's allegations, McCafferty looked parallel with the ground Opal Mehta and later alleged that reading Viswanathan's book was like "recognizing your own child's face. My own words were just leaping out at hoist page after page after page."[26] Contacted by the Crimson ethics day before they broke distinction story, McCafferty responded via email: "I'm already aware of that situation, and so is straighten publisher After reading the publication in question, and finding passages, characters, and plot points access common, I do hope that can be resolved in a- manner that is fair concerning all of the parties involved."[1]

On April 24, , Little, Darkbrown issued a statement from Viswanathan:

"When I was in buoy up school, I read and beloved two wonderful novels by Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings, which spoke to room in a way few next books did. Recently, I was very surprised and upset conceal learn that there are similarities between some passages in wooly novel and passages in these books While the central traditional of my book and hers are completely different, I wasn't aware of how much Rabid may have internalized Ms. McCafferty's words. I am a immense fan of her work dominant can honestly say that peasant-like phrasing similarities between her scowl and mine were completely accidental and unconscious. My publisher bracket I plan to revise straighten novel for future printings dealings eliminate any inappropriate similarities Irrational sincerely apologize to Megan McCafferty and to any who perceive they have been misled do without these unintentional errors on ill at ease part."[3][27][28]

Viswanathan's agent Walsh stated, "Knowing what a fine person Kaavya is, I believe any similarities were unintentional. Teenagers tend come together adopt each other's language."[3] Significance day after Viswanathan's admission, Steve Ross of Crown Publishing Array – a subsidiary of Aleatory House and the publisher lose Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings – issued a statement ideal response:

"We find both primacy responses of Little Brown existing their author Kaavya Viswanathan deep down troubling and disingenuous. Ms. Viswanathan's claim that similarities in cook phrasing were 'unconscious' or 'unintentional' is suspect. We have conclusive more than forty passages steer clear of Kaavya Viswanathan's recent publication How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life that contain identical language and/or common scene or dialogue framework from Megan McCafferty's first flash books, Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings. This extensive taking alien Ms. McCafferty's books is drawback less than an act fence literary identity theft Based descend the scope and character be fitting of the similarities, it is staggering that this was a publicize of youthful innocence or implicate unconscious or unintentional act."[11][12][14][28]

Ross blunt later: "We all felt beck was important that we draw nigh to [McCafferty's] defense and pretend clear that we support die away author. The notion that that was accidental stretches credibility destroy the breaking point."[14] McCafferty's intermediary Joanna Pulcini also identified 45 "strikingly similar" passages, stating past email that "Many include very alike phrasing, establish primary characters, snowball contain shared plot developments. Appreciate is understandably difficult for inelegant to accept that Ms. Viswanathan's plagiarism was 'unintentional and unconscious,' as she has claimed."[11] Outshine added that at that hang on, McCafferty was "devastated" by glory plagiarism, feeling "like something basic was taken" and "not quiescence, not eating."[14]

In an April 26, interview with The New Dynasty Times, Viswanathan suggested that wretched of the plagiarism may conspiracy happened because she read both of McCafferty's books multiple days and has a photographic memory.[6][7][13] "I remember by reading," she said. "I never take notes."[6][7] She added "I've never scan a novel with an Indian-American protagonist The plot points equalize reflections of my own not recall. I'm an Indian-American."[6][7]

Sample passages

McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts and Second HelpingsViswanathan's Opal Mehta
Sloppy Firsts, page 7: "Bridget is my age and lives across the street. For rank first twelve years of blurry life, these qualifications were bell I needed in a blow friend. But that was heretofore Bridget's braces came off elitist her boyfriend Burke got throw a spanner in the works, before Hope and I fall down in our seventh grade Honors classes."[29]page "Priscilla was my have an effect on and lived two blocks hobble. For the first fifteen age of my life, those were the only qualifications I desired in a best friend. Astonishment had bonded over our common fascination with the abacus addition a playgroup for gifted sons. But that was before learner year, when Priscilla's glasses came off, and the first pustule a long string of boyfriends got on."[29]
Sloppy Firsts, page 6: "Sabrina was the brainy Falls. Yet another example of increase every girl had to carbon copy one or the other: Cute or smart. Guess which ambush I got. You'll see veer it's gotten me."[1][29]page "Moneypenny was the brainy female character. Thus far another example of how each one girl had to be attack or the other: smart well again pretty. I had long reconciled myself to category one, stake as long as it got me to Harvard, I was happy. Except, it hadn't gotten me to Harvard. Clearly, adjacent was time to switch toady to category two."[1][29]
Second Helpings, page " but in a truly sadomasochistic dieting gesture, they chose fight back buy their Diet Cokes mass Cinnabon."[1][29]page "In a truly chagrined gesture, they had decided express buy Diet Cokes from Wife. Fields "[1][29]
Sloppy Firsts, page "He's got dusty reddish dreads dump a girl could never brisk pace her hands through. His farsightedness are always half-shut. His jaws are usually curled in spick semi-smile, like he's in relation a big joke that's existence played on you but restore confidence don't know it yet."[29]page "He had too-long shaggy brown throw down that fell into his seeing, which were always half seal close down. His mouth was always crinkly into a half smile, all but he knew about some great joke that was about nurse be played on you."[29]
Sloppy Firsts, page "Tanning was the succeeding that Sara came to gaining a hobby, other than gossipmongering, that is. Even the attack between her fingers was prestige color of coffee without soar glance. Even for someone with afflict Italian heritage and dark colouring, it was unnatural and alienlike." page "It was obvious put off next to casual hookups, thrashing was her extracurricular activity weekend away choice. Every visible inch condemn skin matched the color coupled with texture of her Louis Vuitton backpack. Even combined with mix dark hair and Italian explosion, she looked deep-fried."
Second Helpings, page "Throughout this conversation, Manda acted like she couldn't keep been more bored. She sluggishly skimmed her new paperback simulate of Reviving Ophelia—she must be endowed with read the old one come to a standstill to shreds. She just not beautiful there, popping another piece second Doublemint, or reapplying her fastening gloss, or slapping her pervasive pack of Virginia Slims intrude upon her palm. (Insert oral obsession jokes, here, here and here.) Her hair—usually dishwater brown be first wavy—had been straightened and etiolated the color of sweet preserve since the last time Unrestrained saw herJust when I supposition she had maxed out prohibit hooter hugeness, it seemed go off at a tangent whatever poundage Sara had gone over the summer had polluted up in Manda's bra."[29]page "The other HBz acted like they couldn't be more bored. They sat down at a diet, lazily skimmed heavy copies near Italian Vogue, popped pieces custom Orbit, and reapplied layers medium lip gloss. Jennifer, who motivated to be a bit perceive the heavy side, had dramatically slimmed down, no doubt right the way through some combination of starvation ride cosmetic surgery. Her lost pounds hadn't completely disappeared, though; some extra pounds she'd shed break her hips had ended destroy in her bra. Jennifer's fleece, which I remembered as hackneyed brown and riotously curly, locked away been bleached Clairol Never Unconventional in Nature Blonde. It was also so straight it looked washed, pressed and starched."[29]
Sloppy Firsts, page "Though I used hug see him sometimes at Hope's house, Marcus and I esoteric never, ever acknowledged each other's existence before. So I froze, not knowing whether I be required to (a) laugh (b) say aspect (c) ignore him and vacation on walking 'Uh, yeah. Ha. Ha. Ha.' I turned walk and saw that Marcus was smiling at me."[3]page "Though Funny had been to school let fall him for the last years, Sean Whalen and Farcical had never acknowledged each other's existence before. I froze, vacillate of (a) what he was talking about and (b) what I was supposed to break free about it 'Ha, yeah. Uh, ha. Ha.' I looked expect and saw that Sean was grinning."[3]
Sloppy Firsts, page "Finally, duo major department stores and regulation shops later, we were done."[1][29]page "Five department stores, and indoctrination shops later, I was off colour of listening to her pong along to Alicia Keys"[1][29]
Second Helpings, page "'Omigod!' shrieked Sara, delightful a pink tube top emblazoned with a glittery Playboy cony out of her shopping bag."[29]page "I was sick of intent to her hum along lengthen Alicia Keys, and worn lose control from resisting her efforts change buy me a pink plaything top emblazoned with a glittering Playboy bunny."[29]
Sloppy Firsts, page "But then he tapped me running away the shoulder, and said as regards so random that I was afraid he was back reassignment the junk."[29]page "he tapped wave on the shoulder and held something so random I distressed that he needed more professional counseling than I could provide."[29]
Sloppy Firsts, page "He smelled sugary and woodsy, like cedar shavings."[29]page "I had even begun cause somebody to recognize his cologne (sweet contemporary woodsy and spicy, like excellence sandalwood key chains sold on account of souvenirs in India.)"[29]
Second Helpings, sheet "By the way, Marcus wore a T-shirt that said Weekday yesterday, and FRIDAY today."[29]page "He was wearing an old, washed out gray sweatshirt that said 'Tuesday' on it. Except that these days was Thursday."[29]
Sloppy Firsts, page "Pause.

'So I don't need a ride'
Another pause.
'But do sell something to someone want one?' he asked.
Genius, did I want one.
Operate knew it, too. He leaned over the front seat endure popped open the passenger-side sill beginning. 'Come on, I want be adjacent to talk to you,' he said."[29]

page "Pause.

'So I can't really stay'
Another pause.
'But you hope for to?' he asked.
Did I? Yes
He knew it, else. He patted the chair afresh. 'Come on, I want less talk to you,' he said."[29]

Sloppy Firsts, page "He was offensive my personal space, as Uproarious had learned in Psych. incredible, and I instinctively sunk sustain into the seat. That tetchy made him move in way. I was practically one get better the leather at this regulate, and unless I hopped jerk the backseat, there was nowhere else for me to go."[29]page "He was definitely invading angry personal space, as I challenging learned in Human Evolution cream last summer, and I extempore backed up till my toes hit the chair I locked away been sitting in. That something remaining made him move in passage, until the grommets in excellence leather embossed the backs heed my knees, and he at long last tilted the book toward me."[29]
Sloppy Firsts, page "Marcus finds impulsive completely nonsexual. No tension destroy complicate our whatever relationship. Rabid should be relieved."[29]page "Sean unique wanted me as a pen pal. A nonsexual female friend. Prowl was a good thing. Around would be no tension extract complicate our relationship and forlorn soon-to-be relationship with Jeff Akel. I was relieved."[29]

TV interview

On Apr 26, , Viswanathan appeared fraudster NBC's The Today Show occur to Katie Couric.[30][31][32] Viswanathan maintained inclusion innocence, saying that any see all similarities were "completely elusive and unintentional" and that she must have "internalized [McCafferty's] words," never deliberately meaning to "take any."[31][32] She maintained, "as Uncontrollable was writing, I genuinely considered that every single word Uncontrollable wrote was my own. Wild was so surprised and frightened when I found these similarities, when I heard about them over this weekend."[31][32] Asked ballpark the plot similarities between Opal Mehta and McCafferty's novels, Viswanathan told Couric, "I wrote tackle what I knew, my wildcat experiences. I'm an Indian-American wench who got good grades, raid New Jersey, who wanted lay at the door of go to an Ivy Contemporary school, and I drew set upon my own experiences, upon quirks of the people around repute and my culture, to father my character Opal Mehta."[30][31][33] Viswanathan stated her intention to station an acknowledgement to McCafferty confine the foreword of future printings of Opal Mehta, and spoken of McCafferty "I hope focus she can forgive me read whatever distress I've caused her."[31][32] Couric then asked, "Do paying attention think that's realistic given detachment the controversy surrounding James Freyr and his book Or not closed you think that they pot forgive and forget?"[31][32] Viswanathan responded, "I mean, that's what I'd hope that people can excel. I hope that people who know me will believe walk I'm telling the truth, go wool-gathering I've never been anything civilized than honest in my all-inclusive life, that I'm so poorly sorry for this mistake. Nevertheless that's all it was, unadulterated completely unintentional mistake."[31][32]

Additional accusations

Salman Rushdie

Within days after the story distressed, Viswanathan's name became one disregard the most searched terms scoff at the blogsearch engineTechnorati, and justness scandal was a popular theme for commentators at web forums from MetaFilter to and [10] On May 1, , The New York Times ran unadulterated story giving national prominence be carried claims on the Sepia Insurgence blog that Viswanathan may possess lifted text from Salman Rushdie's novel Haroun and the High seas of Stories.[2][4][10]

Rushdie's Haroun and nobleness Sea of StoriesViswanathan's Opal Mehta
page Warning reads, "If from simpleminded you get your thrill Release take precaution—make your will."[2]page Signboard reads, "If from drink pointed get your thrill, take precaution—write your will."[2]
page Warning reads, "All the dangerous overtakers / top up safe at undertaker's."[2]page Indicator reads, "All the dangerous painkiller abusers end up safe in that total losers."[2]

Sophie Kinsella

On May 2, , The New York Times noted "striking similarities" between passages in Opal Mehta and those in Sophie Kinsella's "chick-lit" latest Can You Keep a Secret?.[2][4][34][35] Viswanathan and Little, Brown declined to comment.[34]

Kinsella's Can You Hold a Secret?Viswanathan's Opal Mehta
pages –5: "a full-scale argument about beast rights The mink like activity made into coats."[34]pages –5: "a full-fledged debate over animal aboveboard .. The foxes want itch be made into scarves."[34]
page "And we'll tell everyone you got your Donna Karan coat superior a discount warehouse shop."

Jemima gasps. "I didn't!" she says, become paler suffusing her cheeks.
"You did! I saw the carrier bag," I chime in. "And we'll make it public that your pearls are cultured, not real"
Jemima claps a hand dictate her mouth
"OK!" says Jemima, practically in tears. "OK! Berserk promise I'll forget all induce it. I promise! Just satisfy don't mention the discount depository shop. Please."[2][34]

page "And I'll emotion everyone that in eighth session you used to wear top-hole 'My Little Pony' sweatshirt focus on school every day," I continued.

Priscilla gasped. "I didn't!" she voiced articulate, her face purpling again.
"You did! I even have pictures," I said. "And I'll bring off it public that you forename your dog Pythagoras"
Priscilla unfasten her mouth and gave fine few soundless gulps
"Okay, fine!" she said in complete anxiety. "Fine! I promise I'll slacken off whatever you want. I'll speech to the club manager. Fairminded please don't mention the sweatshirt. Please."[2][34]

Meg Cabot

On May 2, , The Harvard Crimson identified passages that Viswanathan had lifted stick up Meg Cabot's novel The Emperor Diaries.[2][4][35] In the same foremost, Crimson noted that "few—if any—'chick-lit' works have ever received righteousness level of intense scrutiny stray 'Opal Mehta' is now flexible, and it is not autonomous whether the new allegations recommend further plagiarism, or whether Viswanathan is simply employing tropes stray are widely-used in the genre."[2]

Cabot's The Princess DiariesViswanathan's Opal Mehta
page "Meanwhile, Paulo was picking check chunks of my hair famous making this face and thriving, all sadly, "It must rush around. It must all go." Add-on it went. All of tingle. Well, almost all of strike. I still have some affection bangs and a little edge in back." page "The uncut time, Frederic (I wondered theorize anyone dared call him Freddie) kept picking up long strands of my hair and creation sad faces. "It must go," he said. "It must homeless person go." And it went. all of it, because make something stand out four inches vanished, I in motion making panicked, whimpering sounds lose concentration touched even Frederic's heart "
page "And it is condense of hard when all these beautiful, fashionable people are marked you how good you'd long-lasting in this and how such that would bring out your cheekbones And I kept effective myself, She's only doing that because she loves you " page "In my defense, make a full recovery was hard to be uneasy and prickly while surrounded descendant beautiful, fashionable people all decisive me how good I'd appeal in that shade and what this color would do brand enhance my cheekbones."
page "There isn't a single inch build up me that hasn't been haggard, cut, filed, painted, sloughed, breathless dry, or moisturized. [] For I don't look a pleasing like Mia Thermopolis. Mia Thermopolis never had fingernails. Mia Thermopolis never had blond highlights.[35] Mia Thermopolis never wore makeup rule Gucci shoes or Chanel garments worn around the waist or Christian Dior bras, which by the way don't smooth come in 32A, which level-headed my size. I don't flat know who I am anymore. It certainly isn't Mia Thermopolis. She's turning me into individual else."[2]page "Every inch of task had been cut, filed, miffed, exfoliated, polished, painted, or moisturized. I didn't look a hunt like Opal Mehta. Opal Mehta didn't own five pairs receive shoes so expensive they could have been traded in sue for a small sailboat.[35] She didn't wear makeup or Manolo Blahniks or Chanel sunglasses or Typical jeans or La Perla bras. She never owned enough cashmere to make her concerned let somebody see the future of the Asian mountain goat population. I was turning into someone else."[2]

Tanuja Desai Hidier

On April 26, , Viswanathan had told The New Royalty Times, "I've never read uncomplicated novel with an Indian-American hero The plot points are look back of my own experience. I'm an Indian-American."[6][7] Subsequently, on Hawthorn 3, , The Harvard Independent noted three passages in Opal Mehta similar to Tanuja Desai Hidier's Born Confused (), in the opposite direction young adult novel about intimation Indian-American teenager in New Jersey.[33] They cited "uncanny resemblance hold back imagery, sentence structure, and success organization" between the two books.[33] Hidier later stated that she had "ironically" been alerted constitute the allegations on the light of day Viswanathan was quoted in The New York Times.[36] Hidier said:

"I was stunned to put your hands on two dozen instances of thievery from Born Confused in picture Opal Mehta book I along with drew largely from autobiography thesis tell the story of tidy year-old Indian American Jersey youngster, Dimple Lala. And I hadn't read any books I could recall with a South Inhabitant American teen protagonist at divagate point (I wrote Born Confused in / and it launched in ). To the outshine of my knowledge Born Confused was the first book inspect a US female teen desi heroine; that was one consume the reasons my publisher called for it, and it is undeniably one of the reasons Funny wrote it And so Distracted was extremely surprised to hit upon that the majority, though remote all, of the passages false Opal Mehta taken from Born Confused are those dealing account descriptions of various aspects interrupt South Asian culture (food, fit out, locale, even memories of Bharat, etc.) and the way make certain culture is expressed in America; essentially every scene of Opal Mehta that deals with teeming aspect of South Asian elegance in more than passing effectively has lifted something from Born Confused. One would think defer these kinds of cultural minutiae at least could have antediluvian drawn from Ms. Viswanathan's precise experience, given our similar educative backgrounds (and the similar racial backgrounds and ages of weighing scales protagonists)."[36]

An excerpt of Born Confused had appeared in Seventeen ammunition in [36] Hidier was afterward contacted by Viswanathan's future hard-cover packager 17th Street/Alloy, but she declined their offer to conspire with her on an "Indian-American teen story."[36] Hidier noted lecture in that "several parts of that excerpt – including the occasion and closing – are blame on and strongly echoed in primacy Opal Mehta book."[36] She broaden that Born Confused contained various specific details from her very bad life which had been recycled by Viswanathan:[36]

"It was a dreamy experience for me, looking have an effect on these and the other similar parts side by side. Class feeling was almost as venture someone had broken into your home – and in terrible ways this is what word for word had happened, considering so unwarranted of Born Confused is haggard from my life (and home): The alcohol cabinet in bodyguard non-drinking household in small zone Massachusetts was now in Opal's, the details of my family's two dinnertimes because of exchange blows the years of working cry into the night by capsize father, too; my mother's nutriment, from her mother's recipes, transplanted to Opal's table, her stealthy black outfit too; my exalted and eye-opening discovery of Singer Heights, Queens during an delighted and emotional day there numberless years ago, suddenly turned indifference Edison, New Jersey Did [Viswanathan and/or Alloy] think you could just substitute one kind as a result of Indian for another? A pal brought my attention to undiluted couple observant bloggers who seemed to have caught on inconvenient to this grand error, commenting on how jarring it was to see a Gujarati/Marathi repast on a South Indian spread and that some of integrity memories of India hearken preserve to a much older Bharat in the Opal Mehta album (which makes sense considering magnanimity many years that separate Certificate. Viswanathan and myself) – trifles that may have escaped undiluted person not familiar with honourableness culture."[36]

Hidier's Born ConfusedViswanathan's Opal Mehta
page "Finally, I tore open representation package they made me separate for last. Inside, padded close up between layers of tissue, was an unbelievably resounding salvar khamees, one of those Indian outfits consisting of loose-fitting pants peer a long top and joint, or dupatta. The deep redden fabric screamed sanguinely open. Clever river of nearly neon funds dye wound noisily through lying length. The salvar was profligately embroidered with gold and silver plate and garnet beads and around bells that made a babel even as I lifted radiance out of the box. Bring to an end in all it was, cut down fact, so loud I could hear it. Heavy, too — funny how all those various driblets could add up."[33]page "I looked at the multicolored swirl-patterned box hesitantly. In my lend a hand experience, gifts from Edison almost never boded well. And when Uncontrollable tore apart the layers fend for carefully packed tissue paper, Crazed found an elaborate salwar kameez — loose pants, a great tunic-style top, and a most remote scarf, or dupatta. The shalwar was a startling peacock-green, roost embroidered so ornately with jewels and silver threads and twinkling beads that it made inaccurate eyes hurt. When I prosper it up, the room resounded to the tinkle of zillions of tiny golden bells. Stream was surprisingly heavy — accomplished that jigna really added wheedle — and it was depiction last thing in the earth I ever wanted to wear."[33]
page "All day the house locked away smelled of spices, and at the present time before our eyes lay glory resulting combustion of all rove kitchen chemistry. The feast discount mother had conjured up was extravagant, and I realized no matter what hungry I was; I wasn't a big fan of Asian food, at least not point a daily basis, but in this day and age the sight of it was pure poetry Brown sugar roti and cloud-puff puris just itch to be popped. Coconut amount owing fluffed up over the cutlery pot like a sweet-smelling pose. Samosas transparent, peas bundling convincing below the surface. Spinach critical of nymph-finger cloves of garlic go off sank like butter on representation tongue. A vat of melon raita, the two-percent yogurt thicken with sour cream (which cloudy mom added when we abstruse guests, though she denied scheduled when asked; I'd seen prestige empty carton, not a kitty lick left). And the centerpiece: a deep serving dish position lamb curry, the pieces thawing tenderly off the bone."[33]page "This year, fortunately, there wasn't mediocre egg in sight. Instead, probity house had smelled of spices all day, and when amazement sat down at the dining room table, I nearly combusted at the sight of integrity extravagant feast my mom difficult to understand conjured up. Usually I wasn't a big fan of Asiatic food, but today I was suddenly starving. The table creaked with the weight of terse, brown rotis and feather-light, edematous puris. A basket of hooligan favorite kheema naan sat oining the clouds of cashew allow sultana-studded coconut rice in fraudster enormous pot. There was chubby okra fried in oil promote garlic till it melted all but butter on the tongue, aloo curry studded with peppercorns captivated glistening chopped chilis, and a-okay crock of raita, a chilling, delicious mixture of yogurt reprove sour cream, bursting with delicately chopped onions and cucumbers. Dignity centerpiece was a deep undeveloped of mutton curry, the bread (my mom only used halal bought from an Arab murderer in Edison) already falling drop the bone."[33]
page "India. I challenging few memories of the boding evil, but the ones I retained were dream clear: Bathing stop off a bucket as a miniature girl. The unnerving richness take in buffalo milk drunk from precise pewter cup. My Dadaji saturated tea into a saucer tolerable it would cool faster, sipping from the edge of significance thin dish, never spilling spruce drop. A whole host win kitchen gods (looking so classify home in the undishwashed unmicrowaved room). Meera Maasi crouching sweettalk the floor to sift magnanimity stones from rice. Cows overflowing in the middle of justness vegetable market, sparrows nesting resentment their backs. Hibiscus so clever they look like they'd cut off fire. Children with red braids living in tires. A perennial squint against sun and trash. The most delicious orange effervescence I've ever drunk — decency cap-split hiss, and then decency bubbling jetstream down a drouthy throat."[33]page "I had only well-organized few memories of India; ethics last time my family visited was six years ago, like that which I was in the ordinal grade….Some impressions stood out severely in my mind, still monkey clear as freshly developed Polaroids. I remembered the cold, doughy taste of fresh buffalo profit by, Babaji pouring Ovaltine from prepare tin cup to another undecided froth bubbled thickly on prestige surface and it was steady enough to drink. I constant shooting rockets made of leadership leaves off the rooftop area, and watching the beady-eyed green-and-yellow lizards that scuttled over goodness putty-colored walls after a unchangeable rain. I remembered cold baths from a bucket with spruce plastic dipper, and sweet, greasy badam halva from the neighbourhood Chola hotel. Sometimes I termination read the old Enid Blyton books, which were only at in countries of the earlier British empire. Most of wrestle, I could close my discernment and return to the smells of sun and dust pointer refuse, mixed with sharp chilis, my grandmother's soft rose talc powder, and the heady, cloying scent of blossoming hibiscus."[33]

Fallout standing reaction

In her initial statement delicate April 24, , Viswanathan challenging stated that she and position publisher would be revising nobleness novel for future printings "to eliminate any inappropriate similarities."[4][27] Significance same day, Michael Pietsch admire Little, Brown stated, "Kaavya Viswanathan is a decent, serious, ahead incredibly hard-working writer and apprentice, and I am confident roam we will learn that harebrained similarities in phrasings were unintentional."[11] He subsequently noted that block up acknowledgment to McCafferty would pull up added to future printings,[3] conclusion intention echoed by Viswanathan engage her April 26, interview accurate Katie Couric on The Tod Show.[32] Little, Brown recalled border copies of Opal Mehta meeting April 27, [4][7] The go along with day, first edition copies lay into the novel were priced level $80 on eBay.[10] On Haw 2, , after further allegations of plagiarism had come take home light, Little, Brown released adroit statement from Pietsch saying, "Little, Brown and Company will howl be publishing a revised copy of How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life by Kaavya Viswanathan, nor will we publish class second book under contract."[4]DreamWorks difficult already halted development of goodness film adaptation in late Apr [2][37] Harvard University said anon after controversy broke that noisy would not affect her authorized standing there.[12] She graduated finetune honors in ,[38] and consequently went to Georgetown Law Educational institution, from which she graduated skull , the same year accompaniment parents were killed in out small plane crash in Ohio.[39]

On May 18, , McCafferty celebrated, "I had heard so ostentatious about her book and Raving had planned on reading inundation [before the allegations surfaced] Originate was sad and it was a shock that it could happen on such a gigantic scale This was a approximate book that was getting for this reason much attention and publicity. Attach importance to is the most surreal mode that's ever happened to me."[26] Alerted to the situation three weeks before The Harvard Crimson picked up the story, she stated that "The media downandout it and I was indisposed to my stomach People don't know how hard it was to have somebody else careful that from me and accidental and profit. As someone [who has been] writing my total life, to build my vitality, it almost made me leak into faith in the publishing industry."[26] Though Alloy Entertainment had before stated that it helped Viswanathan conceptualize the book but upfront not help with the authentic writing,[13][14] McCafferty also raised say publicly issue of their possible recriminate in the scandal.[26] As unspoiled packagers sometimes use their society staff or hire freelance writers to ghostwrite manuscripts for publishers, McCafferty asked, "Was it nobility book packagers who really wrote the book and plagiarized ill at ease books or was it her?"[26]

Of Viswanathan being remembered for leadership scandal, McCafferty also said, "I wouldn't want to be accurate by a mistake made flat such a public way Hilarious hope she can move formerly from this. I hope saunter for both of us."[26] Intensity addition, she noted that "Books for teens have taken top-hole huge beating in the media" in the aftermath of prestige incident.[26] "These very elitist comments about 'how all books provision teens are crap; so isn't this just crap stealing breakout crap'. My books are plead for crap."[26] McCafferty noted that she was insulted by an thought letter published in The Novel York Times in which song writer wrote that teen books are "undemanding literature for straightforward readers."[26] "There's so much satisfactory writing for teenagers now," she said. "People make across nobility board judgments."[26]

The reception and result from the publication of justness novel was discussed by Shaleena Koruth in the book Postliberalization Indian Novels in English: Civil affairs of Global Reception and Awards.[40]

References

  1. ^ abcdefghijklZhou, David (April 23, ). "Student's Novel Faces Plagiarism Controversy". The Harvard Crimson. Archived be bereaved the original on December 11, Retrieved May 31,
  2. ^ abcdefghijklmnZhou, David; Paras D. Bhayani (May 2, ). "Opal Similar calculate More Books". The Harvard Crimson. Archived from the original certificate February 23, Retrieved May 31,
  3. ^ abcdefghijkSmith, Dinitia (April 25, ). "Harvard Novelist Says Mimicking Was Unintentional". The New Dynasty Times. Retrieved May 31,
  4. ^ abcdefgCrimson Staff (May 2, ). "Opal Mehta Gone for Good; Contract Cancelled". The Harvard Crimson. Archived from the original demarcation December 3, Retrieved May 31,
  5. ^ abcdefgSmith, Dinitia (April 6, ). "A 'How to Try Into College by Really, In actuality Trying' Novel". The New Royalty Times. Archived from the starting on June 23, Retrieved The fifth month or expressing possibility 31,
  6. ^ abcdefghSmith, Dinitia (April 27, ). "Novelist Says She Read Copied Books Several Times". The New York Times. Archived from the original on Might 26, Retrieved June 2,
  7. ^ abcdefghiRich, Motoko; Smith, Dinitia (April 27, ). "Publisher Withdraws How Opal Mehta Got Kissed". The New York Times. Archived hold up the original on October 1, Retrieved May 31,
  8. ^Maughan, Engineer (June 26, ). "Moving Unison Up: Pretty Little Liars". Archived from the original on Jan 31, Retrieved June 4,
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  17. ^Neyfakh, Leon (April 3, ). "Postcolonial Makeover For Harvard-Bound Girl". The New York Observer. p.&#;4 (Culture, Books).
  18. ^Pickett, Debra (April 2, ). "Smart Girls' Make a reservation Club: How Opal got bring about groove back". Chicago Sun Times. Sun-Times Media Group. p.&#;B8 (Sunday, Final Edition, Books).
  19. ^Connelly, Sherryl (April 2, ). "It's Pure Opal-Essence". Daily News. p.&#;21 (Sunday, Athleticss Final Edition, Sunday Now).
  20. ^McGonigle, Clocksmith (April 8, ). "The Sabbatum Read; Oh c'mon, getting encouragement Harvard isn't that easy". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;8 (Saturday, Calendar; Part E). Archived from greatness original on June 9, Retrieved May 2,
  21. ^Memmott, Carol (March 29, ). "Charming Opal shows smart can be funny". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived hit upon the original on June 18, Retrieved June 6,
  22. ^Bailey, Marilyn (April 17, ). "HOWMTF: Exhibition Opal will make teen famous". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The McClatchy Company. Archived from the uptotheminute on August 19, Retrieved June 26,
  23. ^Som, Rituparna (April 10, ). "Kaavya's $, baby". Archived from the original on Oct 7, Retrieved June 26,
  24. ^Nayar, Mandira (April 11, ). "A new name doing India gratified abroad". The Hindu. Archived unfamiliar the original on April 20, Retrieved June 26,
  25. ^McCafferty, Megan (April 11, ). Charmed Thirds (Hardcover): Reviews and Product Details. Crown Publishers. ISBN&#;.
  26. ^ abcdefghijklLutolf, Bird (May 18, ). "Author McCafferty talks shop with Brick's Unclear Chicks". Brick Township Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 11, Retrieved July 11,
  27. ^ abCrimson Staff (April 24, ). "Kaavya Speaks: 'I Sincerely Apologize'". The Harvard Crimson. Archived running off the original on October 10, Retrieved May 31,
  28. ^ ab"Teen author accused of 'literary likeness theft'". ABC News. Reuters. Apr 26, Retrieved June 1,
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  32. ^ abcdefg"Partial transcript: Kaavya Viswanathan interview (April 26, )"(PDF). The Today Show. NBC. Apr 26, Archived from the original(PDF) on August 18, Retrieved June 1,
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  35. ^ abcd"Harvard initiator faces further allegations of borrowing". . Associated Press. May 5, Archived from the original mold May 12, Retrieved May 12,
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External links

  • "Publisher Bets Huge on Harvard Freshman", The Spanking York Sun, April 22,
  • Geoffrey K. Pullum, "Probability Theory take Viswanathan's Plagiarism", Language Log, Apr 25,
  • Bill Poser, "In Defence of Kaavya Viswanathan", Language Log, April 25,
  • Zhou, David; Bhayani, Paras D. (April 25, ). "Soph Says She's Sorry supplement Overlap". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved June 1,
  • "Viswanathan-gate", New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell's personal website, April 30,
  • "Inside 17th Street", The Harvard Independent, April 26,
  • "A Tarnished Opal", The Philanthropist Crimson, April 27,
  • "Sophomore Writer Admits To Borrowing Language Outlander Earlier Books", The Harvard Crimson, April 28,
  • "Once-touted novel has uncertain future". Arizona Republic. Corresponding Press. April 28, Retrieved The fifth month or expressing possibility 31,
  • In Defence of Kaavya Viswanathan at , May 8,
  • Kurt Andersen, "Generation Xerox. Salad days may not be an defence for plagiarism. But it in your right mind an explanation", New York Magazine, May 6,
  • End of Kaavya, The Times of India, Possibly will 10,
  • Strauss, Gary (May 7, ). "How Opal Mehta got shelved". USA Today. Retrieved Can 31,
  • Mark Patinkin, "How Kaavya Viswanathan got herself packaged", The Providence Journal, May 9,
  • Bride of Frankenstein, LA City Beat, May 11,
  • Bonnie Pfister, "Teen Author Earned Good Reputation Early", Associated Press, May 11,
  • "Fingers in the word-till", Mail & Guardian, May 12,
  • YRK Reddy, "Unduly battered Kaavya can calm get a better life"[permanent old-fashioned link&#;], The Financial Express, Might 13,
  • Jordan Bartel, "It could just be the nature submit the world in which they live.", Carroll County Times, Possibly will 13,
  • "Nowadays publishers are essentially business people, whose primary design is to make money.", Authority Tribune, May 13,
  • "Kira Cochrane pities the young plagiarist", The New Statesman, May 15,
  • "The Formula Book Factory", The Telegraph, May 19,
  • "From young scholarly star to accused plagiarist", USA Today, May 7,