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A Million Little Pieces
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Overview
Intense, unpredictable, and instantly engaging, A Million Little Pieces is a story of drug and alcohol abuse and rehabilitation as it has never been told before. Recounted in visceral, kinetic prose, and crafted with a forthrightness that rejects piety, cynicism, and self-pity, it brings us face-to-face with a provocative new understanding of the nature of addiction and the meaning of recovery.
By the time he entered a drug and alcohol treatment facility, James Frey had taken his addictions to near-deadly extremes. He had so thoroughly ravaged his body that the facility's doctors were shocked he was still alive. The ensuing torments of detoxification and withdrawal, and the never-ending urge to use chemicals, are captured with a vitality and directness that recalls the seminal eye-opening power of William S. Burroughs' Junky.
But A Million Little Pieces refuses to fit any mold of drug literature. Inside the clinic, James is surrounded by patients as troubled as he is -- including a judge, a mobster, a one-time world-champion boxer, and a fragile former prostitute to whom he is not allowed to speak - but their friendship and advice strikes James as stronger and truer than the clinic's droning dogma of How to Recover. James refuses to consider himself a victim of anything but his own bad decisions, and insists on accepting sole accountability for the person he has been and the person he may become - which runs directly counter to his counselors' recipes for recovery.
James has to fight to find his own way to confront the consequences of the life he has lived so far, and to determine what future, if any, he holds. It is this fight, told with the charismatic energy and power of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, that is at the heart of A Million Little Pieces: the fight between one young man's will and the ever-tempting chemical trip to oblivion, the fight to survive on his own terms, for reasons close to his own heart.
By the time he entered a drug and alcohol treatment facility, James Frey had taken his addictions to near-deadly extremes. He had so thoroughly ravaged his body that the facility's doctors were shocked he was still alive. The ensuing torments of detoxification and withdrawal, and the never-ending urge to use chemicals, are captured with a vitality and directness that recalls the seminal eye-opening power of William S. Burroughs' Junky.
But A Million Little Pieces refuses to fit any mold of drug literature. Inside the clinic, James is surrounded by patients as troubled as he is -- including a judge, a mobster, a one-time world-champion boxer, and a fragile former prostitute to whom he is not allowed to speak - but their friendship and advice strikes James as stronger and truer than the clinic's droning dogma of How to Recover. James refuses to consider himself a victim of anything but his own bad decisions, and insists on accepting sole accountability for the person he has been and the person he may become - which runs directly counter to his counselors' recipes for recovery.
James has to fight to find his own way to confront the consequences of the life he has lived so far, and to determine what future, if any, he holds. It is this fight, told with the charismatic energy and power of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, that is at the heart of A Million Little Pieces: the fight between one young man's will and the ever-tempting chemical trip to oblivion, the fight to survive on his own terms, for reasons close to his own heart.
Reviews (51)
A Million Little Pieces
Written by cynthia on July 16th, 2009
- Book Rating: 1/5
The reader of the book was very monotone. It was not worth the read. Booorrrrring.
A Real Piece of Work, This Guy
Written by Mandi Scott Chestler on April 24th, 2009
- Book Rating: 2/5
Aside from the overblown Oprah controversy this pseudo-memoir inspired, it is also astounding that such a seedy, self-pitying collection of words has gained such traction in the publishing world. James Frey may have used poetic license to illuminate his life story, but he should invest in a thesaurus. At least a quarter of book depends on the F-word and other profanity for effect--a crutch a more talented writer could surely overcome with a bit of imagination.
Changed my life
Written by Anonymous from Roy, UT on March 12th, 2009
- Book Rating: 5/5
I love this book. I have never been addicted personally but have loved two people who were, one of them being my mother, the other being the father of my child. This book brought so much closure to my life. It made my heart smile and is one of the greatest stories ever told. It is real and not everything has a happy ending, just like in life. The words in this story will forever live in my head. I can't stop talking about this story and recommend it forever. I read it weekly. It is a story about a powerful journey that will move you.
The Fury has Risen
Written by Patty from Tempe, AZ on September 4th, 2008
- Book Rating: 0/5
After each disc I was forcing myself to continue hoping it would get better..... it did not! Way too repetitive. It took 20 minutes to get one point across. I couldn't wait to get home and on line so I could cancel his other book "Leonard" from my wish list. It was written like a grade school story, "then he said, then I said, then he said, then I said,....." just keep repeating that and you have read the book. I think it was an insult to anyone who has been in recovery and any of their close family members. What arrogance!
Worst Book Ever
Written by Erica Jones on September 3rd, 2008
- Book Rating: 0/5
This is actually one of the worst books I've ever read. The story is ridiculously unbelievable (from all the lies that have been uncovered to the fact that someone let him on an airplane with blood and vomit all over his clothes). I thought it would still be interesting even though it is fiction, but it is so outrageous and the writing is soooo bad, that I'm sending it back after 1.5 of the CDs. Don't waste your time.
Still Good
Written by Kate Benning on July 17th, 2008
- Book Rating: 4/5
I think this book was still very good even though he supposedly lied to Oprah. He got the point across and I have talked to others that have addictions and have talked about the same things that were in this book. He is simply making a point and a good one.
Moving
Written by Anonymous from Lyons, IL on June 25th, 2008
- Book Rating: 5/5
I listened to this book, after all the Oprah/TSG controversy, with the idea that it is a fictional book. That being said, I found it to be an incredibly engaging, moving, wonderful story. I found myself wanting more after the book was over. I would recommend this book but think of it a a fictional book but if you can't handle vulgar language, you may want to skip it.
A Million Little pieces
Written by Magnetawan on May 23rd, 2008
- Book Rating: 3/5
Not sure where to start with reviewing this book. I really chose it because of all the controversy surrounding it ... but it actually drew me in. Once I got used to the language (you can't be a prude and listen to this book!!) I found I was alternately liking the character and hating him. Following James' story in recovery can become very heavy and depressing at times, and I started to wish I had chosen the abridged version! But, it's a 'culture' I know very little about, and although he has been accused of "taking liberties with the truth" when writing this book, I know that most of it actually happened. Is it worth renting? Yes, but get the abridged version. Warning! Don't listen to this book if you are feeling low spirited!!!
Great
Written by Mariana on May 17th, 2008
- Book Rating: 5/5
I really liked this audio book. It was different and sensitive, I loved it. I would recommend it to anybody.
A Million Little Pieces
Written by moviegal from Reading, PA on May 8th, 2008
- Book Rating: 1/5
I hated this book! Of course I had reservations after hearing the revelation on Oprah that a lot of it was made up but I decided to try it anyway. The "author" uses repetition as a literary device: the only one he apparently knows! I usually do not listen to abridged audio but I was thankful that this version was not any longer! I basically listened to the entire thing to see if it got any better; news flash: it did not! Whining, unbelievable, an insult to those who have successfully worked the 12-step program, and altogether unpleasant listening. Avoid this book!
Author Details
Author Details
Frey, James
"Prior to Chaucer's time (with the notable exception of William Langland's Vision of Piers the Plowman), literary works were written in Latin. Chaucer is rightly remembered as the first major author to popularize the use of English in literature. "