A Million Little Pieces by James Frey (2004, Paperback, Reprint)

I had no idea what this was about and when I found out it was about a stint in rehab, I almost didn't read it. It took one page to get me hooked and I'm so glad I read it. I read about 5 books a week and this was THE BEST book I've read in at least a year. It was funny but not inappropriately so, moving but not depressing. There were a lot of unexpected heroes among the addicts, alcoholics and criminals. Give it a try! (Trust me).

As a recovering addict, I know exactly how he felt. He was able to word how he felt in ways i couldnt. This is the MOST true to life book you will ever read on addiction, and overcoming it. James Frey also proves to us in this book and his life now that all people are able and worthy of change. I say "Good for you James". This is a MUST read. It may change some peoples attitude and outlook on addicts and their addictions. Many dont understand, never will, but this will sure open their eyes. Thanks, kathy

A very accurate & honest portrayal of the alcoholic/addict’s thought processes. James Frey put into words the experiences and thoughts that I’ve never been able to adequately express myself. His direct, no frills writing style is also reflective of the chaos that goes on in the alcoholic/addict’s mind and personality. I savored every word of this book. Do yourself a favor.....read it.

WOW o WOW... Awesome book... You can get the feel from this book in the first 12 pages.. The website let you read the first pages... and it got me hooked. Visit http://amillionlittlepieces.com to read them. Then get ready for your stomach to churn... Not Horror... But real life is usually the worst.

The book is a very easy read!

10 STARS...

Garry, KCebay.com
username: kansascitylistingservice.com

This is a great book. If anyone wants to impart the seriousness of drug addiction on an adolescent, I suggest they skip the "Just Say No" talks and afterschool specials and skip directly to this book. It is a realistic, gripping and profound account.

There are times when Frey's self-portrayal as a hard-ass gets tired. Same goes for his atheistic anti-twelve steps recovery program crusade. There is nothing wrong with wanting to take a different approach that you feel will work better for you, but there is certainly no need to rub the readers nose in it repeatedly. I think most would agree that whatever approach works best for the individual addict without hurting anyone, is fine.

Also the strange Emphasis. On capitalizing Nouns. And the Need to repeat. The Need to Repeat. Along with shortened, choppy sentences. Just like this. And the Need to repeat.

~It seems more like an annoying gimmick, than a breakthrough style of writing, to me.~

The fact that he made it through the entire book without using quotations when people are speaking was sort of interesting though.

If you can overlook the writers self-aggrandization as the bad-ass of rehab and self-delusion as the most innovative writer of all time, the story is certainly worth it.

I grabbed this book while browsing the addiction/recovery section of a major bookstore..
Being a recovering addict I can say that this book portrays a very realistic view of the world of addiction..In comparison with other books it was a great read but did not go into what happens to him after his stint in treatment enough...
It kind of left me hanging at the end..
All in all I would say that this is a great book and it is one that I can say is surely a wonderful book to be in my collection (I am a picky reader).
It could have been a little better but not much better..

(edit) The book is still good although I am pretty pissed that its mostly fiction.

I accidentally came upon this book while I was browsing "Amazon.com" My son has been a drug and alcohol abuser since the age of 15. He is currently in a mental health facility and has lived in 3 sober living homes. As a parent can totally relate to what James Frey and his parents went through. I only pray that my son's outcome will turn out as well as the authors. A must read for any parent who has substance abuse problems with their child.

Addiciton is a hard subject to write. Also it's a hard subject to read about. The author gives us an insight into it that isn't as destructive. This can be a little depressing but reading about the actual character makes this book great. It was one of those books that you can't put it down.

Wow. I can't put this book down. Absolutely gut-wrenching in-your-face story of his addiction and recovery process. This book makes it impossible to have a bad day or a bad life for yourself. I was feeling a little down when I picked it up, having NO idea what it was about. Let me just tell you, I am cured.

A stunning read. Just don't leave it lying around if you have kids who have started to read...

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I felt like I had to add to this, as we all know Mr. Frey was, sadly, mostly a liar with this book. Of course we all found this out a long time ago, but recently, I have re-read it, trying to see if I can still, from the perspective of nearly completely fiction, if it still rattles me and engages me. I have to say it does on a much lower level, and all I can think mostly while reading it for the 2nd time is, "but that didn't even happen"
and
"well THAT didn't happen either"
and
"was there even a Lily? or a Leonard? or an anybody"'
and while he repeats that he is an addict, etc, and an criminal, every single time i can only go but you were not a criminal, and how could you write this book and say it was all true and it not be and arrrrrrghhhhh!!

so... it is still a very good book.... if you haven't already read it from the perspective of truth... but if you have... eh....

this book gave me some information on what my own father went through at rehab
He never talked about it, I want to thank James for talking about it for me
May God Bless

This was a brutally honest book and at times made me a bit anxious for the author but the story is one that anyone who has ever suffered any of lifes tragedies should read!I bought this book because Oprah had the author on her show and loved the book. Everyone I knew was raving about it and I see why!

I am too familiar with the meth, alcoholic lifestyle. This book is great and very truthful. I did not find it depressing, more eye opening. I know several people who are still going through the drug addict, alcoholic lifestyle. I cannot say that any of it surprises me, a super good friend of mine usually takes at least one great fall a week, down a flight of stairs that is. A very similar situation to the book. I praise him for his strength to finally get clean and stay clean. I finished the book in two evenings, that a sure sign of a great book. Highly recommend.... I read alot of reviews from addiction counselors, ones who have never had addiction problems, hummm, from experience and several long visits with addiction counselors, the best counselors are the recovering addicts and alcoholics... You gain knowledge from personal experience not out of a text book. This book is far from boring...

This story is very vivid and very full of pain. It is about a man's struggle with addiction and trying to recover from it. From the moment I started reading, I knew I was in for a wild ride. It is very engaging. It reminded me a whole lot of a story I read called "The Greatest White Trash Love Story Ever Told".

I bought this book because Opra gave it such a great review, but I found the book boring and written poorly. I will say that if you are into bad language, depression, horror and gore, this is your book.
John Mahoney

I bought this because I was curious about all the hoo-haw about some of it being "made-up". From an alcoholic's point of view, it doesn't matter as far as the pain, suffering, and total despair that he brings across. It's all right on the money.
However, knowing in advance that he wasn't totally truthful brought more than a bit of consternation on the part of this reader. I found many parts of it to be unbelievable....even concerning. It actually bothered me quite a bit that he was able, at only 23 years of age, to succeed (for now, so he says) to remain sober without the help of any sort of support group.
Anyway, it is a very good read! Believable? Not really. Entertaining, sure! For me, anyway, it was troubling. I do not recommend it to anyone who is in early recovery!

This book is a book that can relate to everyday people with everyday problems.It has a touching side to easily relate to.Shows throughout this book that life can be hard and we all share problems.I would say this book is worth the time to explore.Interesting and brilliant.

I initially couldn't put the book down. It really intrigued me that this guy actually went through all these intense experiences.

But about midway through, once I found out that the author had exaggerated and even outright imbellished his "autobiography" I couldn't read another page.

Author integrity, I learned, is as vital to an excellent read, as is the writing style, plot, and all the other elements of literature.

I bought it because of seeing it on Oprah and then heard he lied about his story. It made me very interested. I would definately read it again

This book is a real downer and I only finished it out of sheer curiosity as to what all the media hype was about. Again, after hearing the Hype, and seeing the book as an Oprah "pick", I decided to purchase. I got a FANTASTIC deal on Ebay for a small fraction of store price and delivered to my door ! The writing is awful, simplistic, graphic in details that aren't necessarily pertinent to the msg (I didn't particularly care about the color, consistency, etc. of his vomit, and what he had to clean up from the communal toilets at the rehab center !). I did not feel one ounce of pity or sympathy for this character who winds up in drug rehab and doesn't seem to have any remorse or sense of responsibility. Stick with Ken Follett, Dan Brown, or the like. Exercise your mind, this is not entertainment. The writing is sophmoric ...

Incredible read. True or untrue its a great book. I love his next one to. My Friend Leonard!! Both awesome books!!!LOve them!