I Just Read About That…

SOUNDTRACK: hiatus

[READ: December 30, 2023] “I Was Caroline Calloway”

Yesterday I read the book Scammer by Caroline Calloway.  It was about Caroline Calloway and Natalie Beach two women who worked together to write a book that never got written (see yesterday’s post for a more sophisticated take on Scammer).

Caroline and Natalie had a feud and Natalie wrote this tell-most in The Cut.

Caroline addressed most of the issues that Natalie raised in Scammer.  But I figured I’d read this too.

Natalie is a good writer, although I feel that Caroline is better.

Natalie’s version of events is certainly darker–she obviously has more details about events that happened to her when Caroline wasn’t around.  She also knows a lot about what happened while Caroline was in an Adderall stupor.

But, Natalie also comes across as a bit of, if not a whiner, so much as a woe-is-me-er.  She bemoans her state over and over.  It’s not clear if her family is as wealthy as Caroline makes it or out if she is as poor as she makes it out.  So details about money are she-said/she-said.

They both agree about a lot of details–the question is how much Caroline owed Natalie and how much Natalie was willing to do.

And, for me, the question was, why bother writing this essay at all?  I mean, a person you thought was your friend screwed you over.  Is that really worth writing about?  Is there any point to this essay other than getting your name out there?

It’s no surprise to learn that Natalie Beach was also writing a book.   Natalie’s book is a series of essays–which I believe include this one.

I’m not particularly invested in this rivalry and I won’t be following it in any way.  I am curious to see how things turn out though.  Will each of them write more books?  Will we learn that they worked together to play everyone?

I mostly don’t care, but if anyone wants to update me late in 2025, please do.