Next week, Gotham Books will release Baltimore Ravens Michael Oher’s memoir, I Beat the Odds: My Amazing Journey From Foster Care to the NFL and Beyond. The football star and protagonist of the book and movie The Blind Side sees this as his chance to tell his own story.
Do we really need a third version? Gotham Books publisher William Shinker explains: "From reading the book The Blind Side and seeing the award-winning movie of the same name, millions of people think they know Michael Oher's story, but they really don't. He gave only two interviews for the book and none for the movie. This will be the first time he will be able to tell his story in his own words with details that only he knows, and to offer his point of view on how anyone, no matter their background and upbringing, can achieve a better life."
Two interviews? In other words, what we think we know about this heartwarming (or insidious racism peddling, depending on who you ask) tale might have very little to do with Oher's actual experience. Our money is on the book telling a completely different story.
I Beat the Odds is available for pre-order now and will be in stores Feb. 8.
Read more at Mediabistro.
In other news: A New Look for Michelle Obama?