If only I could believe there is little more than a tiny, tiny kernel of truth to this story.
Erin Van Der Meer’s debut, “The Scoop,” is likely one of the most non-fictioney pieces of fiction I’ve read in a while. Another Independent Bookstore Day find, the book checked off my “need something soapy and diabolical” box.
“The Scoop” delivered in spades. And left me feeling even grosser about the industry for which I based my education on.
Van Der Meer’s story of a grieving but optimistic-Mary-Tyler-Moore-I’m-gonna-make-it-in-magazines writer, Frankie Miller, is a case study in how tabloid journalism works. Create a sensationalistic headline, drive the subject of that headline to manifest it with their behavior, rinse and repeat. Until the story cycle spins out of control, tragedy strikes and then you find another victim/subject.
Having fallen on hard times after job cuts at Marie Claire, Frankie and most of her friends find themselves seeking anything that’ll help cover the rent. For her friend Audrey, it was a hop, skip and a jump to the New York Times, thanks in part to some nepo help. For Frankie, though, jobs are scarce but the landlord isn’t — so she sets aside her moral virtue, if only temporarily she believes, for a night editor job at a tabloid startup — The Scoop.
It doesn’t take long for the veneer of “I can keep any amount of integrity and still work here” to slip away as Frankie has promises of more respectable work dangled in front of her and coworkers — Chris, Jocelyn, Yenay — that have long given up any pretense that what they do is in fact journalism.
The longer Frankie stays, the deeper the depravity goes, until she finds herself at an unforgiveable juncture. Can she find her way back to moral clarity? I’m not going to spoil it, I’d rather you pick it up and enjoy the ride.
“The Scoop” is everything I wanted in the aforementioned “Soapy and diabolical” description. And yeah, my guess is it cuts pretty close to the bone when it comes to today’s standards in journalism, and who is holding the reins. A pretty sad state of affairs and honestly a reminder to practice critical thinking when it comes to any media you consume, even if you think it’s from a well-established, trusted source.
Great summer read, just over 300 pages, perfect for a weekend at the beach or even on the porch. I’d also think this could make for some interesting book club discussion, trying to discern who’s worse, who’s not as holy as they think they are and if Yenay makes the same choice Frankie does in the end. Inquiring minds want to know!
LitzyDitz 