teeth chapter very graphic-should be put on the dental curriculum!

Brutal!

I have added this to my wishlist…

I’m a 17 year old, soon to be 18 female living in Canada… I’m not sure if that matters but, I’d just like to say, I’ve read both A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard and I loved them both. I think James has taken a lot of criticism. But despite a bit of false information, I thought the books were amazing and I’d like to say that James is a very talented man and I think he should be given better recognition. I’m not the only one who agrees. I have about 10 other friends who would agree with me. ONE MORE THING, I hate how I search for quotes from both books and all I can find is how he fucked up, I just want quotes instead of going back and analyzing every page of both books. Kay, I’m done. Thanks.

I love James Frey. He’s a writer of the purest form, so who cares if he embellished. He was emphasising his point. Most stories these days true or otherwise are full of embellishment!
I am so glad to have read both A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard and after finishing both I find myself missing the way Frey writes.
All I can say is I cannot wait to start reading Bright Shiny Morning!
Keep writing Mr Frey, your books are compulsive…

I can’t get over the positive feedback on this site!! First let me say that yes, this is a GREAT BOOK; however, as a recovering crack addict who manage to find my way out without AA what inspired me about the book was how his point of view so closely mirrored my own. Now to discover that it was untrue…that I wept (litterally) for this man, his family and his friends, I can’t help but to feel completely deceived. I would have gotten just as much from “A Million Little Pieces” if it had been presented as primarily a work of fiction, but it wasn’t. As I’m sure anyone who has gone through an addiction and detox, and read this book can relate to, there were many times while reading that I wondered if all of it was true, but it seemed so real and brutally honest that I allowed myself to be taken in. As I look back now, what angers me most is the section where he talks about watching a movie about a woman dealing with addiction who recovers and ends up with the doctor that saved her from herself. He was so angry that anyone would have the nerve to sugar coat what happens to an addict. He may not of sugar coated anything, but his lies were just as damaging. If, through your recovery, you don’t learn to be honest about your life and the things you’ve done (by niether neglecting to own up to your behavior or making yourself and your addiction greater than it was), then how can you say you’ve truely recovered?

this is the best book i ever read in my life!! it moved me….

Thank you James. I turned my life around and the next day started reading Million Little Pieces. Your book (life) has taught me so much and I was able to understand that I made the best decision by walking away from all the known (but actually unknown) to me. I would have died, but now I am alive. I have started a new life, and I have never been happier. I don’t regret what I have done, but regret what I have done to other people. Your book (life) will always remain in my heart and I know that it will save some more !!! Thanks. Your friend..Danie (Cape Town, South Africa)

Hye James if by any chance you are reading this, i loved your book and really i just cannot get over it. Its hearttouching and heartbreaking.
Love Mia

ps: i miss lily

James, I read A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard 2 years ago and they are still with me. They are amazing books and it matters not a hoot if there are parts that aren’t true. They are still the best books I have read in a long time. I just started reading Bright Shiny Morning – I’m glad it’s long because I don’t want it to end.
I’m writing this kind of like a fan letter because I feel as though I should have written one to you after the Oprah controversy.
Take care,Louise

For me, reading about a personal struggle with addiction, in whatever form or genre, truly takes my breathe away.
Embellished or not, having the ability to tell such a story and repair a desperately shattered life, is only deserving of praise and respect.
I cried and laughed my way through a million little pieces. For the people James hurt, for the new friends he made and for the new man he turned into.
Frey’s writing style is something I can only dream of achieving and his absolute strength and character is something I will always look up to.

I can’t wait to read the rest of his work.

Bright Shiny Morning is such a fabulous read – I still cherish AMLP and MFL! Will there be a movie made of any of the books? James, many thanks for all you’ve done for SO many people!

hi james i saw your book in tesco’s and I’m ashamed to say I had never heard of you. I am so glad i bought a million little peices it was either that or bread and milk no. Who needs bread and milk. I couldnt put the book down and i am now reading My frienc Leonard. The only thing I was dissapointed in was at the end of a million little peices it told you what happened to th other addicts. I would have prefered to read My friend Leoard to find out. Other than that your the greatest.

i am the exact same as the previous comment!! i had never seen your book(a milion little pieces) before or even heard of u but im so glad i read it now! its unreal! and although there has been a lot of controversy and altered details, the book holds strong because, although some facts aren’t actually facts, the message of the book is strong throughout! its a masterpiece and i have just begun my friend leonard and i am loving it!

u know what i hate more than anything?
that when i type in “James Frey” on google…i have to go to the SECOND page to get to this damn website…

gosh, ppl need to lay off your case and just appreciate your fantastic writing.

Keep doing what you’re doing, James. You have been an inspiration to many.

I read your book AMLP just now and MFL last year, I discovered them late…and in the wrong order…! I LOVE the way that they are written.
I live in Sweden and today I was looking for the new book but it`s not translated nor published in Sweden yeat… I can hardly wait…! You are a genius mr J.Frey just keep it coming.

Hey James, I thought it would be funny to tell you when I was reading the “dentist” section of AMLP’s – I am a nurse and I was working night duty. When we have our “break” we go to a dark little dining room in the hospital ward and curl up in a recliner chair. I took my book with me and a little torch and sat wrapped up in the dark in it’s little circle of light and cringed and cringed while I read! I’ll never forget it as long as I live – it was so deathly quiet and I was so alone and yet itw as such a “loud” and harrowing experience! Funny times…

I am half way through the book, A Million Little Pieces. I am using every oppertunity to read more. In the bath, at the gym and before bed. Whats all this stuff about it not being non fiction? Either way. It’s bloody brill.

I read A Million Little Pieces on the advice of a friend. My only prior knowledge of it or you was the “Oprah thing”. My friend insisted that I read AMLP and then My Friend Leonard. I won’t try, in this space, to put into words the degree or number of emotions I felt as I read your books. Though I have to tell you that as I finished Leonard last night, I cried. It was a deep, gutteral sob that can only come from loss. I too, lost my friend Leonard. You moved me.
I am glad you found happiness after all of your struggles. My 20’s and relationship with my parents were much the same. Thanks for sharing your stories!! -Paula Jackson

I happened to randomly come across ‘A Million Little Pieces’ in a bookshop whilst aimlessly wondering, I had never heard of it before, but it seemed my kind of read. Without meaning to sound horribly dramatic, that book saved my life in a way. I was going down a very destructive track at that time,heartbroken and losing myself in alcohol and drugs. It made me realsie what I had to lose, and what I could gain from my situation, so Thanks..Things Got Better.
Bright Shiny Morning, also a great read.

This book is so uttrly awful but so fucking brilliant! It is written in such a way that u feel as if you are there, experiencing every event and feeling every emotion. It is a heatbreaking and chaotic journey of a very brave and sad man. James Frey, in my opinion, is a Legond and an inspiration to any one who has ever gone throu pain and misfortune… Simply Extraordinary!!!!!!

AMLP & MFL
Fact/fiction? who cares – this book provides massive insight and entertainment – labels are completely irrelevant so f*ck oprah – shes dull boring and draining anyway! we all think its brilliant no matter whether its fact or fiction … keep the stories coming! thank you for the inspiration you have given many & opening up our eyes to a brighter future.

I am probably not the only one very touched by this book. I’ve read it when I was in rehab for the second time with seventeen. After that in every fucking rehab I’ve been since. And every time, that book made me feel better, it made me laugh and cry and- most important- it made me feel content with the fact that I’ve got to fight.
I don’t give a shit whether the facts in that book were true or not. As long as it touches me, as long, as it makes me laugh and cry and fight, it’s bloody well enough.
Thanks for that book, thanks for the hope and the defiance in that story.

I just emailed you about it but i just finished this book and it is one of the best books i have ever read! Thank you!

i am currently reading a million little pieces, i can not put this book down. hope to read more from you in the future.

Your book helped me threw a hard time in my life. I was addicted to meth and had pretty much ruined my life. I’m 21 and I sold or lost everything I had and moved to Canada to get away. I read your book as I detoxed in my grandmother’s. In a time where I would’ve sold my own family members for a fix I sat down and read your book instead. Thank you:) Keep on writing:)

I read a Million Little Pieces and loved it. I have just bought Bright Shiny Morning and look forward to reading it. I bought it because Oprah was such an idiot about A Million Little Pieces I thought I will buy any of his books so he continues to be a success. So he may have “fudged” stuff – couldn’t remember everything – so what – who cares, it’s a book – and still very entertaining. Keep writing James, I will always buy your books. I still like Oprah – but, give me a break – over-reaction or what. IT’S A BOOK. Not brain surgery.

I have just read a ‘million little pieces’. There is very little I could write in this space that hasn’t already been said or would do this book justice… yet I still feel complelled to write something. truely moving, inspirational and heartbreaking. I laughed and I cried. James Frey is my new favorite author.

I LOVE A MILLION LITTLE PIECES!!! I was kept up for three nights reading it! I just couldn’t get enough! It’s not like reading a book it’s more like having the conversation. James writes like you are right there listening to his stories! Truely amazing! AND My Friend Leonard, ok let me just tell you again I was kept up till the wee hrs in the morning, what a twist!!!! It was so emotional! I cried and cried I couldn’t even see the pages anymore! Fabulous Job! I’m looking forward to reading more! I also just wanted to say who gives a shit if it’s true or made up or embelished they are great reads regardless and should be recognized as that! Whoever has the time to go looking for ways to discredit the books frankly has way to much time on their hands and perhaps is a little jelous at their own failed attempts at writing a book?? Just a thought!!

Keep up the excellent work James!!! I am anxiously awaiting a new book!

Its a rarity to find a book, that makes someone go through such a spectrum of emotion, I don’t care what the critics say, as a memoir it is as true to the author as it as true to the reader – thats what makes it so sadly beautiful to read.
Thanks for letting us into your raw young world Mr Frey.

I agree – I didn’t care whether it was non-fiction or fiction. The fact is that I grew up with an alcoholic father who died from drinking himself into an early grave. It touched my heart. Looks like it touched many other hearts. Maybe James misrepresented himself due to some errors in advice from some people, but forgiveness is important, and it also remains that it is a powerful message that helps people with a very real problem. May God Bless James and everyone who reads his book.

And I too stayed awake until it was read….

E’m from a country(Pakistan) where talking about addiction is a taboo . it a most amazing peace of literature i hav ever read which inspired me alot.

you mah boy, frey!!

hey i’m julia. i’m from germany. i read a million little pieces and it was the best book i ever read and it is the best book i am ever going to read. a million little pieces is written so wonderful. i read it the first time and it took me 1 month. the next time i read it, it took me 3 days. i don’t leave the house without taking a million little pieces along. it has answers in it i am not even sure if they are supposed to be answers. james frey is a brilliant writer, he sure is the best these days. when i read my friend leonard and lilly died not one day passed without me crying about it and i still do. i am honored that james frey shared his past with us and i don’t care if he changed details or if he changed it completely cause for me it is the truth. it is the only truth for me.
take care.

I read both a million little pieces and my friend leonard, they were nothing short of amazing! Though theres been a lot of drama surounding him and the false statements, he is still a brilliant writer, you can tell.. he was just born to be a writer. I love him and support him and i hope for many many books by him to come.

P.S. Gotta go pick up bright shiny morning

Truly a great piece of work. Kept me held till the end. If this book helps one person succeed at becoming clean, then it has served its purpose.

I do have one question, the book Tao Te Ching that is referenced, who is the author. I must have missed it somewhere, if anyone can help. Thanks.

Wow. I just finished ‘a million little pieces,’ and am in the midst of a horrible detox. Painkillers. I have never felt so determined in my life to overcome. F#ck what is real and what is not, for this is the most real account of everything I have gone through ever to breeze the furrows of my mind. I bought the book months ago, and never picked it up as I was in the middle of a few others.

I’m sweating. I’m constantly in the bathroom. Two days ago, I would have done the unthinkable to get hold of something. Yesterday, I was feeling stronger. Today, I read the last 80% or so of the book. I will beat this. I am strong enough. I am not going to let myself beome a soul-less, vacant fool who throws his life and those who love him away over a stupid, pointless habit.

James Frey – thank you. Thank you for putting a voice to those of us who may not be the typecast character, but aren’t going back down.

I have been a book worm for most my life, and it wasnt until I read James Frey “A Million Little pieces” that my emotions truly adapted to what I was reading. I was referred the book but warned that the writing was brutally honest, graphic and somewhat lacking grammar. Page 1, and I was hooked. This book became my little addiction. Due to the very abrupt literature style I was only able to read short bursts at a time (Considering a I polish 1000 page books in a night, even I was surprised). At times, the writing was so emotional and fast that I read a page and went to bed to ponder what I had just read.

I was none the less sad to turn the last page, and while I felt an incredibly sad loss as to the death of these characters (More human to me than if they were standing infront of me themselves), I was given a comment by the person whom referred it to me. He said “We are so used to these books having happy endings, James Frey’s isnt a lie, its reality, its cold hard brutal honesty.” That feeling of living a book out, was made so real to me that I had the urge to cry.

The issue of the facts in this book being controversial is irrelevant, what is relevant is that James Frey has written a book based on his views during his time in rehab, and true or not, this book touched a little piece of heart in everyone that has read it. It has taught me that all people in their basic raw instinctual bodies are the same, it is only our surroundings that categorize us. I cannot walk down a street and judge someone different from myself, for it is ojnly their consequences that vary. And while I consider myself to be a happy individual I was drawn into a simple conclusion. No matter how bad things may seem, it is always a choice to carry on, a choice to live, God is not my answer, I am.

James Frey’s description of his testing his character against the need his body so desired had my palms sweating, and my eyes watering.

You are an astoundingly inspiration writer, I look frorward to getting my hands on my Frieuds Leonard.

Thank you for the best read I have had in a very long time.

I just finish a ‘million little pieces’ today. it’s fucking brillant and wonderful book i ever read in my life, seriously! I still feel complelled to write something. truely moving, inspirational and heartbreaking. I laughed and I cried. James Frey is my now new favorite author. GO JAMES FREY!!!

Million little pieces is one of the best book I read in my life and I think that this masterpiece of life should be in all the schools as an help for young people

Just read A Million Little Pieces & knew nothing about the controversy, etc. The book was recommended by a kid I used to work with, and all through it I was thinking of a couple of boys I work with now & how parts of the book mirror these kids’ lives.
Found myself wishing that there had been a note at the end acknowledging that 12-step work has been successful for so many–thousands have used the program without being whiners or without compromising their honesty.

I wanted Frey to be my new hero…to be a role model for the kids I work with. What bothers me more than alleged embellishments is the idea that committing to the concept of powerlessness is left hanging out there as a kind of weakness… In many ways, Frey/Frey’s protagonist actually DOES make his way through the 12 steps…maybe,ironically, it is his own unique walk through the steps that saves him. Could it be that the Frey of A Million Little Pieces is both extraordinary AND absolutely ordinary in terms of his recovery? I don’t think that the Frey of AMLP is without a Higher Power… it is perhaps “Beauty” or “Storytelling” or “Love,” rather than “God.” And the Tao isn’t so very different than the letting go/serenity prayer philosophy…If I had time, I’d start writing a companion piece to AMLP that shows Frey going through the 12 steps–all with quotes from the book. Maybe someone else can tackle that for us.

Bottom line: AMLP still works, & and I’ll be using it as a tool for trying to steer kids in a healthy direction. I’m grateful for how it made me feel & for what it might give to its readers. And it’s on my favorite books list now. Thanks.

I finished A Million Little Pieces about a week ago and I have to say it was a piece of work! I just could’nt put it down! Looking forward to reading My friend Leonard! Don’t care if it is fact or fiction, it’s exelent! I believe you have changed a lot of lives with this book! Thanks

Despite all of the controversy about these books, I think that James Frey is an amazing writer. I read both books. I actually read My Friend Leonard before A Million Little Pieces, not knowing that My Friend Leonard was the sequel. Without even knowing the what happened in A Million Little pieces, My Friend Leonard moved me in a way no other book had. It was inspsiring and it really made me think. NIce Job Mr. Frey!

Im a 25 year old female and i lve a millin little pieces its one of the best books i have ever read..i would read it mre than once…yes its brutal and gives lots of detail i think younger kids should read stuff like this might make them change their mind about the curiosity of drugs

James Frey shouldn’t received critism for “lying” in this book. It was a bestseller for a reason: because people liked the book and how talented he is at writing. Like Frey said, he wrote the book because all other books on addiction don’t exactly portray the horrible reality of what addiction is really like. Whether the things in the book happened to him or not, he portrayed addiction in a way no author ever has and probably ever could.

My name is Taylor, i am 16 years old and live in oregon. I just finished a million little pieces, and i loved it. I have now started my friend leonard and i know its going to be good as the first. But i do have one question. Why did lilly die? I have heard that it wasnt true and wantd to know what happened!? Thats the only part that upsetted me. Other then that the book is amazing!

A Million Little Pieces, is an amazing read and is brutal in its detail, especially the toe nail, ouch!!, has me curling my toes up now just thinking about it.
Looking forward to reading My Friend Leonard, the guy was a ledgend in AMLP.

A Million Little Pieces = A Million Little Emotions
This book let me remember everything that makes me
me! Harx

[...] authors, such as James Frey , test the limits of both genres. He got caught red handed, not only exaggerating, but lying about [...]

I liked this book. I say liked because when i was reading it I loved it. Loved every word. I didn’t need it to be 100% truthfull because I loved it. Then I finished it. And then ending was quiet sad. Unfortunatly I’m bi-polar, and it sent me into a wee bit of a depressive state… and now reading this stuff about it some stuff not being true is pissing me off…

… Sorry, I had to say this to someone, and this seemed like a good idea.

FUCK!

Hi my name is Tara and im a sophomore in high school. I just finished reading A Million Little Pieces and am just starting a project for my class. I really loved the book and was hoping to be able to ask James some questions over the phone or email, but I don’t know how to contact him. Any information to help me out is greatly appreciated :]
Thanks,
Tara

James, today I just finished “a million little pieces”, I cried. Its the most amazing book, so amazing and well written. You book took me from feeling sad, to wearing a smile, to tears rolling. It is really amazing…look forward to reading the next book. You are an amazing person and even though I dont know you, yet am still very proud!
Take Care R.Freeman x

I have to admit I was totally shocked to find out that you had lied about issues in your book (A MILLION LITTLE PEICES) I lived the the life you described in your book and I can not believe that without you acually experiencing it first hand that you could possibly make up such a story.In some ways it makes me sick to think there are people out there who would and could knowingly lie and deceive people and to embelish such a fabricated story about yourself. What do you think your daughter will think of you when she grows up? Will she think it’s ok to lie to make a buck? I loved both of your books and am looking forward to reading your new one.

hi, i’m from turkey.. i have already read it and i like it so much it is very sad to know it is based on the real story but the book is very good…

[...] Link to book’s author webpage [...]

I have just finished reading your book a million little pieces and half way through it I gave up my 9 year cannabis habit. I realised it wasn’t worth it and reailsed that i was worth so much more than what I thought I was. You helped me so much and I am utilising your mind set, i have been around Cannabis to test myself and kept thinking of you with your drink at the end of the book, the smell was so tempting and I could so easily of asked for a couple off but instead i lite a cigarette and walked out. I have now left my friends in that area behind me and although I felt alone I had my family to support me and I have found that they are all I need at this moment in time. I cannot thank you enough. Real or not it was real for me. The end of the book made me cry, I wish Lilly had the strength and courage to wait that extra 24 hours, some things and just meant to be I guess.
Thank You
Jenni

James Frey<<AMAZINGG!! i lovedd your book!’pieces’ moving, touching and so emotional! you are so confident, strong and have so much courage! everything about you i love! cant wait to get the next book! wasnt sure at first becuz i was abit depressed when i finished ‘pieces’ because of Lilys death i lovedd her she was amazing in so many ways! you saved one another!i cried so much wen i finished, god bless lily! and congrats james, ur an inspiration to many;) xx all the best

I’m not quite finished it but i think it is really good so far but i really couldnt handle the bit where he pulls his toe nail off and it nearly made me vomit. hahah feet freak me out to be honest
xx

I read A Million Little Pieces in high school and fell in love with the book. In around the middle of the book, you turn a page and there is just a scribble on the page, and it was so moving, it described the book without words and could not have been placed more perfectly. I have also read My Friend Leonard and Bright Shinny Morning. I love Frey’s writing style and his books in general. I really don’t care about the controversy about A Million Little Pieces being a lie, it is still a GREAT story. I would have to say his books have made an impact in my life. Does anyone know if he is writing another book? I truly hope so.

About five years ago I was given “A Million Little Pieces” and I still remember the look that person gave me when they handed the book to me. You know that look of pity and “maybe this will save you” kind of look. I was so mad that I threw it away without even finishing that back cover. I was moving halfway across the country because I am good at running, always have been… I hadn’t talked to my parents in six months and barely just graduated from high school. I almost didn’t graduate because I had missed so much school… however they let me graduate because I had straight A’s. I stated drinking when I was thirteen and I come from a long, long line of addicts. (Currently I can’t even find my brother and I think about where he is everyday.) I have resented my parents ever since I can remember and I have lost many friends and burned a lot of bridges because of my decisions. When I moved I had been doing drugs for about two years and when I got to where I was going I found someone who hooked me up.. Five months later I found him dead in my basement. He died of an overdose or a heart attack, they never really said which and he didn’t have family so no one cared. I was not close to him but I will never, ever forgot when I found him there. The shock hit so close to home that I was scared that was going to be me. I spent the next few years partying but I mostly drank and tried to stay away from drugs. That did not work as you could have guessed…. I have been sober for about four weeks and only because I can’t do anything about it. I just had an accident where I blacked out and I really have no idea what happened to me. One of the things I have always done is read.. and I was going through some things yesterday when I ran across this book. I honestly have no idea where it came from because the copy I was given I tossed the moment I could, mostly because I didn’t want to admit I had a problem and that is what this book talks about. Rehab… ha! I don’t need rehab. I started reading it and from the very beginning I think I related with everything James talked about. From his accident, to the 12 steps, a Higher Power, his relationship with his parents, to losing friends and a lover, and all the secrets and lies. My parents have been sober for a long time but I have always had this theory that they are not really sober because AA has taken over their lives. They ALWAYS make time for AA and have often had AA members around for holidays and family time. They go to as many as three meetings a week and volunteer their time at the rehab where they are from. Good for them but I HATE AA and what it has done for my relationship with them. They never have made time for me and they think I should go to AA. I don’t believe any of it and I will never subject myself to the 12 steps or a Higher Power. EVER. From “one addiction to another..” From the moment I got to this part of the book I felt like I had been understood for the FIRST time in my life!! “From one addiction to another..” Words that describe the way I have felt about my parents for so long… So many people have given up and just walked away from me and the others don’t really know how bad my situatiuon really is. I want to change my life but I don’t know how… I want a Leanard, and a Lilly, and a Hank, and so on… I don’t know how to get there… I want to say this book will change my life but I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. I stayed up all night reading this book and thinking about my life.. I made a “bucket list.” Can you believe that?? I actually want to do things before I die, and I dont know how long it has been since I have thought about anything like that. Someone asked me awhile ago who I would want to meet if I could meet anyone in the world and all I could think of is that I want to meet someone that can help me with all of my unanswered questions. They asked me if that person with the answers was GOD and I laughed… I have been thinking about who that person would be for a long, long time. I might have just had a f#@ing moment of clarity (excuse my AA term) during this book and that person with the answers might be you James. I hope it is and I hope I can get to where I want to be.. I know you have changed many lives and I could not find anyone I look up to or admire more than you. By the way meeting you in on my bucket list so let’s see if I get there…. Thank you doesn’t begin to decribe….

LOVE IT…Who really cares if it is all true or not, it’s an amazing book, those who read it love it, bull shit and all. I am glad some of the stuff was exagerated because it was brutal and the thoughts of him living this nightmare would have been terrible(why would anyone be mad because he may not have gone through some of this shit, are you sick….) the content is incredible and has inspired me to take control of some of the things in my own life through self control, we all have it. Love the book and have read My Friend Leonard and will read Bright Shinny Morning as soon as I get it and any other book he writes.

Man, I loved these books. I read AMLP a few days back and just had to go straight out and read the other two. Truth or fiction doesn’t matter to me: the books make me think; they make me hurt; they make me question my choices; and lastly, they entertain me. I am a James Frey FAN and I these books will be put into many of my friend’s hands in the future. I read his books right after reading On the Road ,Catcher and the Rye and Generation X and I must say the progression was very satisfying and Frey’s works stood up well against them. Looking forward to the next book!

Jon

I agree completely with jon. Frey makes you think about important aspects in life, and he makes you realize a couple of things. Such as the real definition of addiction: choice. Im very curious, however, of the significance behind the cover page. Why is there a hand covered in sprinkles? I have a few ideas, but am not entirely sure.

I actually meant the title significance… I know about the cover, the title I need some clarification on.

An incredible life changing story….If i had to use one word to describe the book it would have to be WOW.,.

I wish i could meet james frey… He helped me through so much

this is the most beautiful book i have ever read…. it has a mind of its own and i really respect the auther james and all of his hard work and effort put into it i have just finshed reading it for the seccond time and my friend lenord is great to i think u should make a movie out of this book… just a suggestion

I have been through hell being a codependent involved with several drug addicts and still love one of them to this day…I read Frey’s A Million LIttle Pieces 5 times…I am a writer myself and found his “shoot-from-the-hip” style to be refreshing…and well, almost addicting. It helped me to understand what I could not understand about an addict and the things they do…not that that excuses their behavior, or mine, indeed, codependency is just as sick as the addict him/herself. I couldn’t find My Friend Leonard in used book stores, where I buy all my books, so I bought it on E-Bay and just started reading it…can’t wait to get back to it. As far as the supposed lies and/or embellishments? Who gives a shit? Anyone who knows ANYTHING about drug addiction knows that drug addicts are the most accomplished liars there are! There is still a very powerful story here, and at the core, the very heart…as far as I can tell, that is something one must live to describe…maybe he was still a liar when he wrote the book, like I said, who gives a shit? It took a lot of guts to strip himself naked and (thank you Mr. Frey) take responsibility for his actions and the pain he caused others, clearly running the opposite direction from the blame game…keep on keepin’ on James Frey, and if what you say about Lily is true, I want you to know that I am truly sorry that you went through that kind of pain and disappointment…I applaud you, and would love the opportunity to converse with you just once, even in writing…for those people who have nothing better to do but to look for the flaws they need to take the air out of another’s sails…I pity you. Step up to the plate and tell your story truthfully and see if others won’t find lies in it…it’s all perspective, is it not? My own mother accused me of “making up my childhood”, so as I write my book I’m wondering who, if anyone, would be sick enough to disect my life just to find something I saw as the truth from my perspective…it was after all, MY life, so what really matters is did Mr. Frey’s book do any good? HELL YEAH!!!! Hold on…James. God Speed…Shannon

I only read a million pieces earlier this month and could not wait to get to My Friend Leonard. Both books were super reads and because I fell so much for the relationships between James and Leonard i could not stop reading until finished. Thank you James for sharing, writing, doing what you do. I was able to connect with you and the Fury….everyone needs a Leonard.

I don’t really think there is anything left to say, people either hate it, or they consider the book their “bible”. I have my demons and nightmares and am dealing with my own “fury” to this very day. The difference between every other person who left a comment on this website and me, is that I don’t think telling people detail after detail of my life story is going to help any of the matters at hand. I don’t think they really care, maybe they will comment about it in their comment, and say ‘me as well’, or ‘I agree’. But the reality of the matter is that they don’t. They won’t ever really be able to relate to anyone, they may ‘understand’ my issues, or even you, James, they will never really know what it has been like and what you had to do to get to where you are or where you have been. I won’t be able to really know how they feel, and vice versa.
I read the book, and immediately new that everyone else who will or have read the books related to Lilly, or even you, but the person I find I relate to the most was John. Not with the sexual ninja thing, I found that quite humorous and it made me smile, but like him, I feel as though I will never recover.
“He has been broken beyond repair, wounded beyond the point of healing, abused beyond the point of recovery. He will never know happiness or joy, security or normalcy. He will never know pleasure, satisfaction, serenity, clarity, peace of mind or any semblance of sanity. He will never know trust or love.”
After he was ‘released back into the wild’ I found myself hoping, pleading that he may be mentioned again on the next page or the next chapter or anywhere really. But to find him pretty much dead and done for at the back of the book made me sad and disgruntled. And it is that which I feel I relate the most to him. I am broken, and shattered, and there are too many pieces for any human to try and put back together. I have done shitty things, and I have seen shitty things, I have heard and experienced shitty things. And this book gave me insight as to how I could maybe, just maybe find a light or an upside to things. I don’t believe in any kind of higher power either, I never have even though I was baptised and all the works. We live, then we die, and Michael’s wife is kind of right, not really, but I can see where she is comming from I suppose, if we all lived to simply procreate, to live and then die, then things would be easy, but that is not human nature. We make things extrmemly difficult, and we are drawn to fucking up. I am really trying, i’m actually trying to do better than try, and this book has really shown me a way how. The second I am done with My Friend Leonard and also even Bright Shiny Morning I don’t know what I will do, I have never been one to reread anything, but I guess I can make exseptions where it counts,
right?
I come from a pretty long line of dope smokers, crackheads, alcoholics, pretty much the works, and I want to change that line.

This is the most graphic portrail of an addict’s life. I related to every single feeling and emotion. Being an addict myself, I immediately connected with the book. Brilliant!

I am 15 year old girl, and I read this book, and it had such a strong impact on my life. I cried like unreal while reading this, and it made me think about everything I saw in ways unimaginable.
It was spiritual. I read the whole thing in four days. Four sleepless, restless, beautiful days.
James Frey, this was beautiful. You have a gift. True, pure, inspiration.

Despite what any critics say, I find this book a-m-a-z-i-n-g and truly inspiring. James Frey you have an amazing gift and don’t listen to the crude remarks, this novel was wonderful.

Hi James

After reading A Million Little Pieces two years ago, I was greatly moved and wrote a song about it. It seemed a natural response to the emotions it evoked in me at the time. You can listen to it at http://www.myspace.com/thespeedwellinvention

Let me know what you think.
Many thanks,

Adam

liar.. u bitch!
u know being a great writer doesn’t always have to be a liar! it would be so much better if u labeled ur first book as a novel, instead of a memoir. u’r name would rose forever. but look what u did to ur self. oh well let this be a lesson for all of us. honesty is more valuable than anything. btw, i guess u’r still great writer though

Hey James~I’m Shannon, the one who left the rather lengthy comment up above who read A Million Little Pieces 5 times (and probably will again)…wanted to say that I finished reading My Friend Leonard a few months ago and although I thought it was an awesome book written in one of the greatest writing styles I’ve ever seen (which is what I expected) I have to tell you…’don’t think I could read it again. How truly painful…just being on your site brings the book into full view again and it put that “lump” in my throat~what can I say? Still codependent, still feeling everyone else’s pain…can I suggest a “sequel” to A Million Little Pieces and tell us, your fans, how you went from the tragedy of Lily and Leonard to being married and having a child? I find myself unusually curious as to what your wife is like, how you met, etc., and I guess, to be honest, I’d like to read through some of the joy you’ve experienced since I feel like I know your pain almost intimately. I’ve never been through what you’ve been through, not even close…but I’ve endured the incredible pain that comes with knowing nothing but drug addicts for the last 7 years. I still love the one who’s in rehab, but I know I’ll probably never see him again, and it absolutely rips my heart to shreds. Why do I believe that? Because like so many drug addicts, even “recovered” ones, I believe he is trading one addiction for another right now…I know addicts who are clean now who I was really close to “back when”…put up with their bullshit, the fucked-up way they treated me, even when I tried one New Year’s Eve to help one of them get off of crank by cheering him, cleaning up his puke, watching him go through tears and laughter~the next day, he beat me up for my trouble. Clean now, along with a few others in that same circle of people, he refuses my phone calls, wouldn’t answer an e-mail I sent to him calling him on his bullshit because he has admitted that he needed “to make amends to me because he treated me like shit” to someone else…yet other than a half-hearted “I’m sorry” in a brief visit he has ignored me because I’m a supposed reminder of the way he once was…that SUCKS! Drug addicts, man, they don’t give a shit what they do to others through their addiction~they’ll drag anyone and everyone through their hell without a thought, but when they actually turn around, get clean and put their lives back together, they want to forget who their friends were when ASSHOLE was their “major” in the “college of life”…which makes me wonder if they’re really clean, or just going through the motions? When you got clean, your attitude was dead on target…put the mother fucker dead smack in the middle of their worst, put some dope and alcohol in front of them and the people they used to get stupid with and see if they can stay clean…if those people are in some way blaming me for their crap, then I think I should at least have that one opportunity to tell them that they’re still full of shit, clean or not! I want to write to you and hope I can find an e-mail address on this website, but if you read this and you know I can’t, (because it IS your website after all) please write to me at fuhgedaboudit@peoplepc.com…PLEASE? I cry as I write this because the pain is just that intense…and so is the anger. HOLD ON JAMES, you are AS REAL AS IT GETS…lies, or no lies. The proof is in the story…one that can ONLY be told by a truly fucked-up addict, their thoughts, their pain…A MILLION LITTLE PIECES is the BEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ simply because of how HONEST IT IS…it’s as simple as that. Fuck Oprah and all the rest of the people who just have to protect their “image” by disecting someone else. You should still be on her Book Choice list, or whatever the fuck she calls it. So who was more righteous anyway? Her, for saving her hide at your risk, or you for once again, stepping up to the plate leaving yourself open for ridicule and criticism? She’s got enough money anyway. And didn’t she pick your book because she really liked it, because she, just like millions of us were absolutely DRAWN to what you had to say and how you said it? Yes. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Hey James, wouldn’t it suck if we found out that the Hokey Pokey really is what it’s all about?

Thanks for reading, if you did and keep on keepin’ on~I wish you peace, love, and some way over-due joy. I respect you and how you dealt with your shit…maintaining, no matter what that it was, is and always will be your shit. You’ve come a long way baby…write, write, write…more, more, more. That’s wat you’re here for anyway…obviously. Some have it like that…others? They look for ways to destroy it because they don’t have it like that…PERIOD. No wonder Leonard wanted you to be the one he called “MY SON! MY SON!” People in his Business didn’t get wealthy by being stupid.
Shannon

Hi James

I don’t know if I’ve been under a rock for a couple of years but I just read your beautiful book. It really struck deep down into my soul, as a person who has lived with alcoholics my whole life I finally began to see through their eyes. This book is truly inspirational and I do not care what anyone has to say about it, it really woke me up. I cried for you and Lily but I guess in the end her pain was finally healed and she could have never functioned wholly in this life, she truly was broken into a million little pieces. Leonard showed me good, the life he led and who he was made him truly beautiful inside and out. James you told a beautiful, tragic story of your life and I know I’m one of the millions of people across the globe who has truly been touched by your work and life. Thank you James

Hi James, I’ve read a million little pieces (started reading it the 2nd time this summer), bright shiny morning, and my friend leonard and own all of them. I just finished My Friend Leonard and all I could think about after I finished it was what an amazing writer you are. To deeply move someone so much.. I read the book in 2 days. I don’t see what the big deal is about the million little pieces controversy.. who cares. It kind of made me mad that society would even make it such a big deal. I’m sure you’ve been the cause for so many people’s changes for the better. A few details shouldn’t bring all that down. But I know if I could choose to meet anyone every, it would be you. I love your writing style so much. The way I describe it to people is “writing the way you think – ignoring grammar and cussing all over the place” I wish I had a highlighter when I was reading.. there’s so many quotes I would highlight. There’s so many lessons and like, values that are put in the best words. All of those books were powerful. After finishing each one, I felt like I had a different outlook on life. All of them made me cry and I can’t describe how much emotion I have for these books. They make you think so much and reconsider yourself and ask yourself so many questions. Ah! I can’t explain it.. I love all of them. I want to have as happy a wedding as Maddi in bright shiny morning. I’m going to quit rambling, but I really would love love lovee to meet you one day.
Thanks for writing the best books ever!

Thank You So Much.

Im in the middle of reading a million little peices and as amazing as i think it is and incredibly well written i think its totally fucked up on way to many levels that some of the information thats presented is false.

ive been in rehab for addiction and i know so many people who have completely fucked up and struggle with forgiving themselevs for what they have done and so fabricate things is just plain and simply messed up. not cool at all!

What an amazing book thank you for writing it I enjoyed every page – only learnt it was not true when I finished it.
Does not matter it is an amazing piece of work well done you.
It has made me think about addictions and habits some of what you write is so very profound your thinking and the relationship the parents. Excellent food for thought.
I look forward to readign your other books – keep up the good work.
Carol

I am more than half way through ‘a million little piece’ and was thinking my god you, you have to give this bloke some kudos for overcoming all of the things he has, and then i go on a search engine and find that alot of the book is not even real! I dont agree with a lot of the comments made so far, i think it does matter if there are alot of points which are total fiction, you dont write to say a book is totally non-fiction only to find that quite alot of it is!! There are no disclaimers in the book anywhere to say that ‘ certain parts of this book is made up totally to keep the reader entralled’ I mean what is the point of writing a book about ‘your’ life and the shit you have faced and overcome only to make up half of it!!
I do agree that the book is well written and i will probably read more of James’ work. I am in the UK so i havent seen the Oprah show where she grates him, but no doubt he probably deserved some of it for the fibs he has told in his ‘non-fiction’ book about his addictions and criminal past!!!!!!!

“a million little pieces” is by far one of the most amazing books i have ever read! i have read the book at least twice a year since i purchased it, and i’ve found that even though i’ve read it a hundred times, and know exactly what happens and when it happens, the story never gets old.. every time i read it, it’s like i’m reading it for the first time! personally i don’t care if it’s fiction or non-fiction, (and those of you who do care, as far as i’m concerned, you can just get back on your high horse find a nice dark quiet place to be alone, and go f*@k yourselves..) the story is so powerful that the label of “what type of book it is” shouldn’t matter, and shame on you to all of those who think it does!

i think you are a genius and i respect you for who you are and what you do.. thank you mr. frey for writing this amazing book that has changed my life!

A Million Little Pieces is one of the worse books I’ve read in a long, long, long time. The author’s style of repeating himself repeating himself repeating himself is sloppy and primitive. The book only has “force” because on every page there are numerous curses and lots of swearing. These are cheap stylistic tricks to grab the reader’s attention and try to add punch to the text. Had the author been more concise and to the point, he could have forgone the annoying repetition. Had he been better able to elegantly express himself all the swearing, which gets tired and old very quickly could have been left out. This book doesn’t appeal to intelligent professionals, not because of its content, but because of the poor style and taste in which it was conceived and written.

James i love this book to bits, i thought it was a page tuner could not put it down, i also have got My Friend Leonard they are just such good books i am ging to get Bright Shiny Morning and hoping it will be as good as the other 2, but the way i am thinking i think it will be cant wait to a get it and get stuck in to it xoxoxo

I really really want to know, if Lily was an actual person? I am so devastated to hear that she died? Do you have a picture of her?

And have you ever talked to the person you refer to as “her with the arctic eyes” anytime after getting out of rehab?

Btw, great book and i love it

I work in the book industry. A Million Little Pieces is obviously Lit. The source material may come from reality, but this concept is not new. I think it was simply a bad idea to market it otherwise. Saying that, I would like to add that I pretty much understand the decision from a marketing point of view. Imagine the book in manuscript form. It’s a bold new voice but it’s subject matter is grim. It’s 2003. A lot is going on.
New author. Old subject. Keep in mind people outside the publishing industry don’t know yet that James Frey is a genius writer. Got to get this to people etc..I can see why it was marketed as a Memoir. Recovery is what the book is about if you had to break it down and it would probably market better as a Menoir than Lit even though that’s where his work belongs -in the literature section of book stores next to his contemporaries.
I’ve seen this book filed in Recovery and Self Help sections. The sentiment is nice in a way but confusing. If William Burroughs had cleaned up at the end of Junkie would it be filed in Recovery instead of Lit?
I hate having to convince people to read his work. He is important.

Okay…I just want to say, I can’t stand Oprah, particularly after the way she berated you on national TV. I myself am a recovering addict, and I think that your book is courageous and inspiring. Trying to remember particular details of a life like that is bloody near impossible, I know.

Thank you for this, my friend…
it got me through 8 long months in treatment…

JZ

There will never be a more true account of what it is to live or be an addict in this life. I first read this book when I was incarcerated and let me just tell you that I swore I would never want to live the life that I at one point had but I have to be honest after reading this book I came to realize that it matters none where you have been its what you do with the experience of where you have been and how open your eyes are to where you are headed to never take anything for granted and never forget cuz you are all YOU HAVE EVRE BEEN.

I’d just like to say that i’m and alcoholic and an addict. I loved this book! I don’t really give a fuck if some of it is his created character of himself or the actual events.

I’ve been through addiction and I know that what he speaks of is true in the most important aspect. His feelings!

The American media shark pit is full of the worst kind. Media manipulation is the WORST, so how can they suddenly turn around and start to point fingers.

What’s fucked up in my opinion is fabricating REAL NEWS to manipulate political opinion. Which happens so much in the States.

Fuck Oprah and Fuck Larry King.

What an amazing book. I am an English Literature teacher and subsequently a huge book nerd. I would recommend this book to any person anywhere. I could not put it down and was blown away by the writing style and the stream of consciousness techniques used and it was just a perfect book. I don’t think it matters one bit if some of it is embellished. This is the type of book that makes you want to crawl into the writer’s shoes and be there with him, just because he is so remarkable. I am intensely impressed with James Frey and cannot wait to read more of his work.

there’s so much i could say but i rather keep it short and simply say
you’ve changed my life.
thank you.

I felt terrible when I read that Lily died. I still do feel terrible. No one deserves a life like that and it just a shame that there are probably others out there that can relate to her life. It was a great read though and I plan on reading My Friend Leonard.

- John

i carnt put this book down, honest i brought it a few weeks ago and i have to read it, the best book iv read in years, james honestly. carry on the awsome work!!!
xxxx

p.s, youve changed my life through this book, helped me through hard times recently. i guess thanks. i wish to read my firend leonard very soon, im looking for it everywhere. xxx

I am a 23 year old Australian who hadn’t read a book for 6 years before reading “A Million Little Peices”, and i am certainly not usually one to leave a comment on a website. A friend recommended it and i have never been so inspired or felt such emotion from reading in all my life.
Before now i was largely unaware of the struggle addicts go through on a day to day basis and i’d like to say that all reformed addicts are an inspiration to everyone.
I’d also like to say that i miss Lilly
Thankyou James and i look forward to reading “My Friend Leonard”

Awesome, awesome book! I went into it knowing all of the controversy surrounding the fictional/embellished parts of the story, it was just such a strong book that at the end it didn’t matter.

I can understand the purists who think that only the TRUTH can be acceptable in this kind of story. But I also believe that the essence of your book embodies the TRUTH, and the way your story put a tight grip around my heart was undeniably thruthful.

If it weren’t such a terrific book, I wouldn’t bother commenting on a site which is already full of comments.

your book is an inspiration to live, to hold on, to stand on what you firmly believe on, listen to yourself and to live life without being judgmental. your book will be the “bible” to my life in times of darkness. my copy is full of corner folded pages and highlighted sentences. I believe in god but i can relate to what you say. Your book speaks to me, it rings true. Looking forward to “My Friend Leonard” Thank you.

Ok I’m Izzeh McMeans! I go to rehab were doing the 12 step thing except we started with making a song and stuff! I only have to stay there for 5 hours a day since im still 16 in 12th grade and a student then I have therapy also but anyways forget that but this book related so much (: I can’t wait to read my friend leonard (:

an incredible, anti addiction book teaches people to get addicted to book. once you start it makes you addict till you end with the last page scared did i skipped any page,
amazing editorial and discriptive which makes every event being happened in front of you.

i just got finished reading a million little pieces a few minutes ago, i read all day. Then i did some research to followup what i suspected may not be accurate. Im glad i didnt look it up until after because fiction or not, it really is a great representation of modern writing, of addiction, and of human condition. I particularly enjoyed the bits of Tao. Also lilly was lovely, and i prefer to believe that ever second of lilly text was entirely accurate. keep it up james, im on to your new fiction next!

I would just like to say if there were or were not any discrepancies in the book, talking as an ex drunk and heroin addict, there is no way that he couldn’t of sailed very close to every detail in that book. James is an absolute genius, I have read all his books and can’t wait for his next……

I loved A Million Little Pieces, and being something of a luddite, I had not heard about any of the controversy. It so clearly describes the draw of addictive substances. I have to ask though — was he lying about his state when he arrived at rehab? Why is his face unscarred?

I have just read ‘A Million Little Pieces’. Im going through one of the worst times of my life and have found James and his book a huge source of inspiration. I’m dissapointed I have finished it but I couldn’t put it down.. I’m looking forward to reading ‘My Friend Leonard’. The way it’s written is so raw and seems to be straight from his mind and heart – it is what it is.

The end of the story and realisation that even after such a huge and positive accomplishment, there was still so much devastation and sadness. But James got through it.

Thank you for sharing your story James.

James, what an accomplishment! Stunning!
I’m 16 and I bought A Million Little Pieces a few days ago. I don’t know what made me pick it up, but I’m so glad I did! Your style of writing and your story had me hooked. I couldn’t put your book down until I’d finished reading it and I’d read it again and again and again. It is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing your story this way. It is truely brilliant. I love it i love it i love it! This is the only book of yours that I’ve read so far, but I have to say that you are now my favourite author of all time (my previous loyalties lay with the likes of Stephen King and Margaret Atwood). It is the best book I have read in a long time. No other story has moved me this way. I suspect My Friend Leonard will be just as good! Keep writing and I’ll keep reading.

WOW no matter what anyone els says i say wow!

best book i’ve ever read. could relate to alot of events and feelings throughout. im trying to correct my current situation with the positive influence i received from this book.

this story changed my life.

ah another beliver the the AA systems sucks. both my adoptive sister and my deceased fathers wife ( my mother died ) are alcoholics. they have been attending AA mettings for 25 years while never getting past step 4. Both cannot apologize to me for the incredible hurt they have inflicted on myself and my family. my fathers widow, i swear she killed my father by her black outs..He found out on a Friday he had cancer and was dead on monday. She is now a millionaire and drunk as a skunk. My adoptive sister, is MIA, since 2004 and I am relieved that I will never see her again. In fact,she meet her husband while both of them were in rehab, he does heroin, and no joke, he became an intaker for the rehab center…while on heroin. obviously none of them really wanted a addictive free life. i just thank God, I’m done with the drama style life, and constant yells for help, while drinking their favorite drink. Yes I did help for countless, thankless, nightmaresh years. I feel nothing for those who arent strong enough to help themselves. In fact they disgust me.