Random House, the publisher of Lena Dunham’s memoir Not That Kind of Girl, has announced it will alter future versions of the book to clarify the man identified as “Barry” in the book is a pseudonym.
In the book, “Barry” is accused of sexually assaulting Dunham.
“We have put the change in process,” Random House told TheWrap exclusively. “The digital edition of Not That Kind of Girl will reflect that “Barry”is a pseudonym. Future printings of the physical book will also have that change.”
“Barry’s” attorney, Aaron Minc, said his legal team was working with the publisher to make sure the changes takes place.
The book already states on the copyright page that names and details may have been changed. Nevertheless, there was enough pressure on the publisher to go a step further.
“Random House, on our own behalf and on behalf of our author, regrets the confusion that has led attorney Aaron Minc to post on GoFundMe on behalf of his client, whose first name is Barry.”
“We are offering to pay the fees Mr. Minc has billed his client to date,” Random House continued. “Our offer will allow Mr. Minc and his client to donate all of the crowd-funding raised to not-for-profit organizations assisting survivors of rape and sexual assault.”
The change comes on the heels of investigative piece written by John Nolte in which “Barry” was unable to be identified by any of the specific particulars described by Dunham. Some were fairly memorable, such as “Barry” had a flamboyant mustache and wore purple cowboy boots. Other details did point to a man in question actually named Barry. “Anyone with half a brain and access to Google has already discovered that, during Dunham’s time at Oberlin College, there was a prominent Republican named Barry who was politically active and quite well-known,” Nolte wrote. “Barry” has told National Review reporter Kevin Williamson “he has never met Dunham and had no relationship with her.”
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