An author's claim that Disney ripped off her life story for its hit animated musical Frozen has prompted a new internet meme: reviews of her book on Amazon that claim she has ripped off Disney's hit animated musical for her life story.

Peruvian-born, New Jersey-based author Isabella Tanikumi – also known as Lupe Amy Gonzalez – is reportedly suing Disney for $250 million, claiming the Hollywood behemoth lifted the storyline for its billion-dollar blockbuster from her autobiographical novel Yearnings of the Heart.

Her own one-page website describes the novel thus:

"This is a compelling, introspective account of the life of Isabella Tanikumi, who takes her readers on a journey through various phases of her remarkable life – from her family's survival during the devastating earthquake of 1970 in Huaraz, Peru, to the trials of overcoming heartbreaks of her youth. Conquering personal insecurities led to exploring the reaches of her intellect while facing the tragic, and untimely death of her beloved sister, Laura.

"Despite language barriers and the consequent obstacles of fitting in, Tanikumi wittily narrates her struggles with her assimilation into American life and culture. Forging many enduring friendships, most notably with Julie, who rescued her from the depths of grief. Tanikumi also interweaves a dialogue with her long-lost love Eduardo. This novel tacitly and expressly addresses Eduardo as a salient recipient of her reflections. Ultimately, Tanikumi is able to share her gratitude and joy as well as her insatiable thirst for life."

And this is how Disney's Frozen, which writer Jennifer Lee claims is loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen, is summed up on IMDb.

"When a princess with the power to turn things into ice curses her home in infinite winter, her sister, Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition."

Similar much? Well, duh.

Ms Tanikumi's book was self-published via vanity press operator Friesen Press, and appears to have first appeared in early 2013, though some reports suggest it may have surfaced in 2010 or 2011.

Until news broke of her lawsuit – lodged by William T. Anastasio, who appears to be her husband as well as her lawyer – the listing page for her book on Amazon had attracted just two reader reviews, one of them from a user who has never posted another review, the other from a reader in New Jersey whose two other reviews are of a leather motorcycle vest ("I am very pleased with this purchase") and a pair of hiking socks ("Wigwams rock").

This reader, Toasty Sock, judged the book to be "engaging and beautifully written", and said it offered an insight into "how strong an individual she [Tanikumi] actually is". Mr or Ms Sock was, presumably, talking from personal experience of the author.

Post-September 24, 2014, however, the book has attracted 11 fresh reviews.

Typical was this: "It felt like she ripped off the movie Frozen."

Or this: "My favourite part of the story is where tries to make a quick buck off Disney."

And this: "I like the part where Disney countersues for frivolous lawsuit. Or is that in her next book? I probably won't read that one, either."

Going into rather more detail, one "reviewer" wrote: "My favourite part of the book was when Elsa left the kingdom and started singing as fiercely as she could, 'LET IT GOOOOOO, LET IT GOOOO!' and built an ice kingdom for herself. Olaf the Snowman was also very funny. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was as if this book was telling the same exact story as the Disney movie Frozen, except that it's not because they're totally different and this book is irrelevant."

Marginally more sympathetic – albeit sarcastically so – was a five-star review that said: "The scene where Hans proposes in the book seemed more realistic. Also, describing scientifically how the ice castle was able to be made definitely left me feeling more satisfied than the poor Disney 'magic' version."

This is not the first time Disney has been sued over alleged theft of the idea for Frozen. In April, independent filmmaker Kelly Wilson lodged a suit claiming Disney's teaser trailer for the film, built around a scene involving the character of Olaf the snowman, was a rip-off of her 2013 short film The Snowman.

Ms Tanikumi's claim appears be skating on thinner ice than Wilson's lawsuit. But whatever becomes of it, she can at least take heart from the fact her book is getting some attention at last. Which is presumably what she yearned for all along.

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