A Million Little Pieces discussion

I just recently completed reading this book, so I was fully aware of the situation. I approached it as a fiction. I really enjoyed reading the book and I felt it offered some insights into the world of addiction. There are obviously things as far as treatment that I could discern to be incorrect. With that said I do feel if taken tentatively can be a rewarding read. See my full review: http://www.nyaproductreviewer.com/201...

I read it years ago when Oprah was promoting it. I was disappointed to discover he made it up. But I did read another book by him which I liked. Can't remember the name of it now. (CRS syndrome).

I really enjoyed the book also, true or not. Honestly, I believe most nonfiction stories fudge the truth just a little...

I read it before Frey was "outed" and I remember thinking that some of the events - like the dentist visit- were pretty over the top. I have talked to a recovering addict who read it and he felt it was quite accurate and worth reading.

I really enjoyed the book, even though I found out half way through that it was fiction. Finding something like that out in the middle of a read is like being told Santa isn't real. I did finish the book though. I actually think it was a pretty genius move on Frey's part.

Lucas wrote: "I really enjoyed the book, even though I found out half way through that it was fiction. Finding something like that out in the middle of a read is like being told Santa isn't real. I did finish th..."

You are hilarious. love the reviews u made so far.

I just loved the staccato way of writing. I found it so easy to read, and get through. Sometimes that is hard with all the disturbances life throws at you!

I actually didn't like the book. I did know it was made up, but I still went into it expecting to be blown away. Even if I didn't know it was made up going into it, I find it extremely hard to believe that a person would be able to recall so many fine details of having a tooth extracted without anesthesia.

I went into it knowing it was fiction, and I was blown away! He's an amazing writer, very raw and real. He has the ability to pour his soul out in words, even if it's not true. I believe he still feels it when the words are coming out. I read Bright Shiny Morning and that was gorgeous too.

loved this book! one of my favorites.

I loved it! I cried at the end I wanted him to be happy with Lilly.

Boo wrote: "I went into it knowing it was fiction, and I was blown away! He's an amazing writer, very raw and real. He has the ability to pour his soul out in words, even if it's not true. I believe he stil..." I agree, His style in this book is very terse, not wasting any words here. He pulled me right into his or his characters world and I read it straight through. I read it before the BIG scandal but like T, I think many 'memoirs' are a little more than the truth.

This book is a fraud, as is the author, and always will be. There's nothing redeeming about this book even if one deludes themselves and calls it "fiction." An embarrassment to real writers the world over.

Osho wrote: "I found it to be unbelievable macho posturing and self-promotion."

Agreed. I couldn't get through it. It didn't seem insightful, just hugely self-important. I wished he had observed the journeys of some of the other addicts, because his story grew tiresome really quickly for me.

I read this book a few weeks ago and loved it. Found out a few days later about him being outed on Oprah. It certainly lessened my opinion of him but the book was still amazing.

Christian Marcus wrote: "This book is a fraud, as is the author, and always will be. There's nothing redeeming about this book even if one deludes themselves and calls it "fiction." An embarrassment to real writers the w..."

it's fraud. It's fake. It's a big fucking lie. No truth, just pure bullshit and a fabricated picture of sickness and perversion. and it's a very beautiful fucking book, you phony little piece of shit. It's fine work of art too brilliant for you to ever get a grasp of. So shut the fuck up.

I read this before it came out that it was not real and I dont care it was good and I read for entertainment and it made me go out and get My friend leonard and bright shiny morning which were excellent real or not he is a gifted writer.

This book is great, fast paced and a true page turner. Do I or anyone should care where the storyline came from, it does not make it a crime nor should it be a issue this is old news! Move on

Fake or real..I absolutely love this book. Yes it hurts but just because it was a lie, it doesn't make it any less brilliant.

Well said Jake,
I loved this book!!

the book is an act of genius, "act" perhaps being the operative this here lol, but seriously its a memoir rather than an autobiography, memoirs can fudge and exaggerate the truth, even more so with ones that are written as novels, the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth can not be a novel because although people often imagine life to have a narrative, it doesn't.

I am SO happy I got to read this book before the "controversy", I am not sure I would have enjoyed it as much otherwise

If you liked this book,I highly reccomend My Friend Leonard. Also by Frey.I actually liked it better.

Maximus wrote: "If you liked this book,I highly reccomend My Friend Leonard. Also by Frey.I actually liked it better."

I preferred this one to My Friend Leonard, it is darker and "edgier" but I did really enjoy both.

If I remember correctly, I believe the part he exagerated the truth on was the Dentist chapter. However, I have heard from reviews and people that the parts when he is in recovery is actually fairly accurate. He never said he made the story up, but he did say he exaggerated a little bit. So, I cannot totally place the book in fiction. Besides from my experience most memoirs have a little exageration its hard to remember every little detail.

From the perspective of a good read, does it really matter if everything written is true and accurate? I liked the book. It was a page turner and also a good pointer on how drugs can mess you up.

Niyad wrote: "From the perspective of a good read, does it really matter if everything written is true and accurate? I liked the book. It was a page turner and also a good pointer on how drugs can mess you up."

Completely agree. The question of it's fictional merit has nothing to do with the book being good or not. The book itself was enjoyable.

I read this book after it was heavily promoted. Even when James Frey admitted to having embellished certain elements I still found myself still in awe of the books message. I have an older brother who suffered from addiction for years. He's been clean for more years than he was not and it was through Frey's words that I could finally understand the self loathing and struggle that takes place in the mind of an addict. I felt I finally understood him in a way I could not before. Oprah admonished him like a child some time after it was revealed he chose to make up certain pages. I was completely disappointed in her and thought she owed him an apology.

It did not matter what was true or not. He wrote an incredible page turner and deserved to be credited with at least starting new discussions about addiction and people can choose to recover. Oprah did apologize later on...

Loved this book, again saw it recommended by Oprah and a friend also raved about it. I could not put it down and found it hard to imagine what James went through. The dental procedures with no anaesthetic really turned my stomach. Great book.

Love this book! Read it twice and liked it just as much the second time. No bother to me if it's not 100% true. I have a child who is an alcoholic and has been in rehab 2 times so I "get it". Very heart breaking but true

I've read this book twice. Loved it both times. I have a son who is an addict so I could totally relate to what he went through. I don't care if it was fiction or nonfiction. Great writing.