Lena Dunham's memoir Not That Kind of Girl has been mired in controversy ever since it first hit stores, and now Dunham's publisher is responding to criticism by altering a contentious passage.
The chapter in question has sparked accusations that Dunham lied about being raped while she was in college.
In the book, Dunham claims she was victimized by her school's "resident conservative" when he became aggressive during what had been a consensual sexual encounter.
Right wing blogger John Nolte investigated the incident and accused Dunham of fabricating certain details, including her attacker's name.
Dunham identifies her rapist as "Barry," and describes him as a Republican who wore cowboy boots and a mustache, and hosted a radio show on campus.
A man who attended college at the same time as Dunham says that the description fits him so well that he has been forced to defend himself against accusations that he raped Dunham.
The real-life Barry says that he was never involved in anything like the incident described in the book, and Random House reportedly plans to comply with his lawyers' request that future editions of the book include a disclaimer noting that "Barry" is a pseudonym chosen by Dunham.
The man is also seeking an unspecified amount in financial damages.
The book was previously a subject of debate with regard to a passage in which some say Dunham described moelsting her younger sister.
While that controversy has mostly subsided, this latest dust-up may do lingering damage to Dunham's reputation, as questions remain about why she would offer a name and detailed description of a man with whom she went to college, but whom she is not accusing of any wrongdoing.
Lawyers for Dunham's unidentified former classmate say that they are pleased that Random House has agreed to alter the chapter, but they still plan to proceed with a civil suit against the author and her publisher.
When I was nine, I wrote a vow of celibacy on a piece of paper and ate it.
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