How Kaavya Viswanathan Got Published, Got Accepted to Harvard, and Got Screwed
Posted by Matthew on Tuesday May 2, 2006 @12:29PM
from the booxploitation dept.
Matthew writes: Kaavya Viswanathan’s book, “How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life” has already been eviscerated for containing obviously plagiarized passages from Megan McAfferty’s two books “Sloppy Firsts” and “Second Helpings” , and from the novel “Can You Keep a Secret?” by Sophie Kinsella. Kaavya had worked with a “Book Packager” who used ghost writers and editors to rewrite her work and shopped it to various publishers.
It now appears that Miss Viswanathan’s book may have plagiarized even more content from the satire website “SlashNOT”. For example, the book uses the phrases:
“I don’t think he…” from the SlashNOT short “Man with robotic arms goes on Rampage”
“…your car. The…” taken from “10th Planet revealed to be Death Star”
“…looks a lot like…” taken from “Yahoo! does walk of shame”
Furthermore, the mysterious male object of desire in Kaavya’s book has dark eyes and a scar on his left hand, just like the protagonist of “Cheetah the chimpanzee turns 74, demands universal health care for apes”
Matthew, editor of SlashNOT, had this to say: “It’s baffling, and a little sad. I just hope she gets the help she needs. I guess kids these days don’t realize that all the words have been used up– especially the 2500 words that the average 14 year old understands. I just feel badly for her.”
Subject:Her age?
Age hiding is very common in India. Since Kaavya is born in Chennai, India, I doubt her age big time. Doesn't she look like she is somewhere near 30? Obsession to achieve something bigger than oneself can be little humilating. Its not 1+1=2 or 2<3! It's creativity!
Comment by Ron — May 13, 2006 @ 10:36 am
Subject:Re: Her age?
> Age hiding is very common in India. Since Kaavya is born in Chennai, India, I doubt her age big time.
Yep, big time. I am really aged 100 but I pass off as in early thirties. Every Indian that you see are at least your grandfather's age. Remember to bow next time you meet any Indian.
Comment by Angsuman Chakraborty — May 19, 2006 @ 12:18 pm
Wow, so much ignorance. Age is usually INCREASED than the actual age. For instance, a 4 year old is passed off as a 6 year old so he can begin school early or retire early. There is absolutely no reason to make your self younger.
Comment by Sheenu — February 2, 2007 @ 8:26 pm