Why is page 163 of James Frey's book, 'A Million Little Pieces,' worth $23.95?

Korin Miller's story in yesterday's Washington Post explained how buyers of James Frey's book, "A Million Little Pieces" who believe they were defrauded by his initial claim that the book was nonfiction may be made whole.

It's a very strange resolution, I must say.

Long story short: Assuming a judge approves the agreement between Frey, Random House and the many readers who've filed lawsuits, anyone who can produce page 163 from the hardcover is entitled to a $23.95 refund.

That's one valuable piece of paper.

Here's the Post article.

A Real Page Returner

Disgruntled readers of "A Million Little Pieces" now have good reason to hold on to the book. Or rather, Page 163.

An agreement has been reached between "Pieces" author James Frey , his publisher, Random House, and readers who filed lawsuits saying they had been defrauded by claims that the book was nonfiction. On Jan. 26, Frey admitted he had fabricated or embellished portions of his dramatic memoir of drug addiction.

Under the agreement, Frey and Random House will pay up to $2.35 million to refund customers, cover lawyers' fees for both sides and make a donation to an unspecified charity. Readers who bought the book before or on Jan. 26 can present a receipt to get a refund, but they have other options to show proof of purchase. And here's where it gets a little creative....

Hardcover buyers, get rip-happy: Page 163 is your ticket to a $23.95 refund. "That page was chosen entirely at random," Random House publicist David Drake told us yesterday. "There's no meaning or even any kind of ironic gesture involved in choosing that page."

So, what's on the page? Frey meets up with Hank and Joanne, his rehab counselors. Hank wants to see Frey's teeth, which were destroyed during a fight and had just been painfully repaired by a dentist (he couldn't have painkillers during the operation because of his drug addiction). Uplifting? Not so much. Accurate? Umm....

Drake wasn't exactly sure where the idea of tearing out a page from the book came from, but explained "this is a fairly straightforward way of doing it." No kidding.

As for everyone else, paperback purchasers will be reimbursed $14.95 in exchange for the book's front cover (riiippp!), audio book buyers need to send in a piece of the packaging for $34.95, and those who bought the e-book need to send in a proof of purchase for $9.95. All those seeking a reimbursement will need to submit a statement that they would not have purchased the book if they knew that certain facts were inaccurate.

The agreement will not be finalized until it has been approved by a judge; details of where to send reimbursement requests will be released after the settlement's approval.