Just read ‘Teeth’. I feel his pain… literally!

At the end of the day you wouldn’t bother reading a memoir if it wasn’t interesting. Essentially a reader wants a good story. James Frey wrote a good yarn with really striking descriptions which gripped a lot of people. ‘Truth’ is subjective.
People’s memories of real events are always dodgy because they are coloured by their own view of things. Plus as time goes by you remember and camp up the facts that you want to remember and forget others. So who could write a genuinely accurate account of what happens in their life?

I loved Million Little Pieces and Leonard, and must admit I am not bothered about what is true and what is not in the books - they are both fantastic pieces of writing, compelling and entertaining.

I’ve just finished reading an advance copy of Bright Shiny Morning and I think that it will shut his detractors up. It’s a wonderful love letter to LA and all its faults and glories, with a fantastic cast of characters taken from all strata of Californian society, with chapters on LA history threaded through the narrative - similar to the way Grapes of Wrath is structured. It’s a brilliant book.

So called James Frey hasn’t been put off with all the grief he got ovr A Million Little Pieces. True or not it’s a gripping book and a real eye-opener. How could anyone in that state remember anything anyway?! Can’t wait to read the next one.

This is one of my favourite books of all time - and I have always thought the debate about what is exaggerated and what is not is asurd. It is just an astonishing book by a major writer. Frey will be a defining voice in 21st century US writing.

I love James books. I would like to know whether or not the interviews in which James had with Oprah Winfrey can be posted here? I never saw them. I’m interested in what both of them had to say.
Thank you.

I absolutely loved the books. I found the story very interesting and loved the writting style James decided to use. The two books both captured me and I know i’ll be reading them again sometime soon.

This guy was a douche bag lieing bitchh

Hang on a cotton-picking minute. I couldn’t agree more with Ben. The fact is, whether wholly true or not, is it not the writer’s art, and in fact job, to transport the reader and give us a fantastic page-turning read? Yes! Which both Million Little Pieces and Leonard are. The tooth extraction without anaesthetics scene will forever remain in my head - ouch!, the voice, the pace - all these sent me reeling. Give me a skilful, memorable page-turner by someone who can write anyday. I think full marks to the guy, and thanks for bouncing back from the insipid Oprah to give us more. Bring on Bright Shiny Morning!

I love both of his books - what a brave man he is to share something so hard with the world.
My copy is permanantly on loan

if only everyone who shunned the book were as so factually stingent about their own lives as they were with the book this world would be a better place. all they did by shunning it was show how shallow and easily led they are demonstrating their antithisis to the message of the book and just how un worthy they are in receiving is message.
in short F?#$% em!
the people that need to know the book are the people that don’t care what others think about it
keep going James…its a pleasure and privilage every time

I think James Frey is a fantastic writer his style of writing reflects what is on the inside and he portrays his feelings in a fab way. who cares if it’s real or not real reading is reading and if you enjoyed it job done.

I am absolutely in love with the writing brilliance that flows out of James Frey. I just graduated with a degree in jornalism, and if given the chance to interview anyone, it would be you, James. You are an amazing writer. Nothing more about past issues needs to be said other than that. You have succeeded in what you have set out to do, and I for one, will forever be greatful to your work. You have a forever fan, James!!

I just finished A MILLION LITTLE PIECES last night. My daughter and son-in-law had told me it was brilliant and they are both alcholics and drug abusers, so I figured they knew what they were talking about. And as a mother I was amazed to hear the truth about how a son feels about his over protective mother, which I am to both my son and daughter. Our whole family abuses alchohol and drugs so the reality of his situation rang true. My daughter has been in rehab. She is currently in AA, but she falls off the wagon regularly. The TAO is the most true thing I have ever read also. I can see how James got so much comfort from it. I just ordered his other 2 books from Amazon.

I am a former ecstasy and alcohol addict.
I am a creative-writer.
I have also had similar re-constructive dental surgery to that described in ‘A Million Little Pieces.’

In my opinion, it does not matter what details of the story have been exaggerated. They were done for literary effect, and they add to a unique, compelling, work with a clear and distinct voice.

It is a piece of creative-writing after-all, and a writer should be allowed creative freedom.

The core of the story is real. That is obvious, that is what’s important.

It is a fantastic book, by a fantastic author.

don’t usually write to authors, but I just picked up the third book of yours that I’ve read. I’m only about 30 pages in and I already have the same feeling I had when I read Million Little Pieces (MLP). I don’t want it to end… I just realized that I didn’t pick the book up because of the story, it was because I of your writing style. The whole stream of consciousness thing with well-chosen descriptives of thoughts interspersed, no quote for dialog, just a carriage return. I admire you for that peice of art.

About MLP, which I’m sure you are SO tired of talking about, I have to say something. I had just finished the book when the whole oprah thing happened. I was in awe of the book and i didn’t care that people thought you were some evil person because you made something up. Those people were just pissed that your writing was so convincing that they were duped. Why can’t they see the merit in being able to write so well that they ARE convinced? They kinda overlooked that and I think it should be appreciated. I mean, most people embellish, they just don’t get caught… And fuck oprah on her high horse. I haven’t bought an oprah book club since then!

Anyway, I’m happy to see you back in style. Keep ‘em coming.

It doesn’t matter. Plain and simple, A Million Little Pieces probably changed lives for the better. If it helped one person, it is a worthwhile book. Also, memoirs historically contain exaggerations and half truths. Who cares really, except Oprah?

I wish I would have done this sooner. I read “A Million Little Pieces” way before Oprah even heard of it. I loved it. I could not care less what she would think about it, it was an amazing read, real or embelished, I dont care. The love story, the addiction, there are so many aspects to comment on that I wont to keep this shor. I am sure that it has helped many many people and THAT is what Ms. Winfrey should have cared about! “My Friend Leonard” brought me to tears.
I will be buying “Bright Shiny Morning” later today.
Thank you Mr. Frey for taking me on an incredible journey, that is what books do for me, and you most certainly are an author I will keep reading!!

James
Loved all 3 books - keep up the good work!
Kind regards
Janet

too much fuss made over your book..a million little pieces…everybody loved it including Oprah….and still do…only an idiot whould truly believe every word…lets get real..every writer puts their own interpretation into an event…do people actually believe every word in an autobiography…you need to keep readers attention and you did a great job…please please keep on writing and screw all those negitive idiots.

having just finished a million little pieces, i have for the first time felt compelled to find out more about the author. i was totally unaware of all the scandal surrounding the author. regardless of this, this book has to be one of the best i have read. i have two soon to be teenage children and will at the right time pass it on to them.this book lets you see and possibly get as close to the addicts state of mind as is possible, it lets you into the world of addiction.

I love how the people on here that have passed some cynical comments, are only passing judgement on the reason that some of the readings in James Freys books were slightly inaccurate or changed to add effect. I have read both Million little pieces and my friend leonard, and found them both exceptionally inspiring reads. Million little pieces, was bought just by chance for me, i had never heard of Frey and once i had read a page i was hooked. He has the ability to transport you into what his life was, make you feel it, empathise, and want to soothe, it makes you think about the people you love and need in life, along with my friend leonard.We need more of those things in life, even if it is from reading. I only offer my praise for Freys books!! He is an exceptional writer.