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.

I have just finished reading the book. I haven’t been aware of the controversary since I don’t live in the USA. It does not seem to matter for me whether the details are true or fictional; I’m sure the feelings revealed in the book are truthful-they were truthful to me and that’s the only thing that matters for me in reading a book. I found the book very enlightening and it helped me acknowledge things about myself. The fact that Frey emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and understanding that these actions are a choice made by you time and again is what matters-and there is nothing more truthful than that.

Just read A Million Little Pieces for the first time. Not heard about any of the controversy surrounding it and nor do I wish to. I have never read a book which moved me in this way; James you are a truly inspirational man and a fabulous writer. I was astounded by the strength of character you demonstrated throughout your rehab, and your courage to share your experience with the world. Cant wait to read your other books.

iv just finished reading A Million Little Pieces and if i could i would say thankyou to James.The thoughts,feelings and emotions James went through iv felt to and still are. Im fighting an addiction and reading his words as made me realise i can beat my demons. Thankyou James

Great writing, i want some more James.

I first ready Frey’s Bright Shiny Morning. I took in all 500+ pages as fast as I could. I gulped them down. I’ve never encountered such a modern voice. A voice of our time. I picked up A Million Little Pieces knowing full well that components of it were made up. I’m torn as to whether it is a high crime to embellish a memoir. Oprah’s indignation is a bunch of show business hype. I feel for those who have turned to the book for some kind of guidance or help. All that said I have two messages for the author. The first is profound thanks for sharing your considerable talents with the world. You are a supremely talented writer. The second is from Shakespeare’s Hamelet… “this above all, to thine own self be true…”

i am in love with A million Little Pieces. ive read it about 5 times. it upsets me that there are made up things in the book because i felt like i knew the people as you talked about them. i grew to love them or not like them. but you are a writer and that is what you do. im glad that i know what really happened and i dont regret reading and loving any of your work. all your books are fantastic but A Million little pieces just really hits home. i know people in terrible problems and someone i know better than anyone is a self injurer. you book just really gave them the courage to hold on when everything seems to be crashing down. thank you James. thank you. thank you

This is James Frey. Just want to thank everyone for reading my work, and for your support.

I have just finished reading A Million Little Pieces and was fascinated and moved by it. I think there is a lesson in there for everyone. I’m also halfway though Bright Shiny Morning and love the detail in the writing.

I have just finished reading through A Million Little Pieces, and I have to say that James Frey has become one of my top favorite authors. I have never heard of James Frey before, never heard about the book, and wasn’t even aware about the entire Oprah controversy. The main reason I chose is was because of the enticing cover and descriptive summary on the back. After I finished a million little pieces, I too did some of my own research about the whole ‘controversy’ mess; and I’ve gotta say: Who cares? Does it really matter if some of the details weren’t completely true? In my opinion, as long as you enjoyed the book, connected with the character, and are willing to read more of his work, what does it matter if some things weren’t true or not. It was an inspiring story nonetheless and I don’t understand the fuss people raised over the details in this book. If ever James Frey should read this comment, then I just want to say – You did an AMAZING job and regardless of those nosy critics I think you should continue writing and I admire your strength and preserverance in doing what you think is right. I highly recommend this book to anyone and it doesn’t matter if you’re a drug addict looking for inspiration, or a good church-going Christian, this book will touch your heart and make you realize just how much one person can do.

I don’t think Frey was that bad…he made a huge mistake and he just better not lie in the future, that’s all. i haven’t read A Million Little Pieces, and I’m starting it next week in class…but I loved My Friend Leonard.

Oprah can shove it up her ass.
I don’t care if the books are true or not. They are gripping tales of addiction and heart break. I couldn’t put either of them down.
James wrote amazing books.
I found “My Friend Leonard” at a bookstore on sale. It was bright pink with an ashtray on the front. It looked liked and sounded like something interesting. I read the book for a grade 11 English project and I could just not put it down. I loved it. I was laughing, crying and smiling all at once. I loved his book. Loved it. This book was about a struggle. I had heard of “A Million Little Pieces” but I had not read it. When James finds out that Lilly is dead, I felt over whelmed. I cried. Then as he journeys through life, and learns from Leonard, I fell in love with Leonard. He was so sweet, and I loved how well he took care of James. The ending came as a complete shock. I really felt for James. Losing Leonard would have been the end for me. The things Leonard left for him, also broke my heart. The very end was so sweet when him and Snapper spread his ashes on the course. I cried solid for the last 10 pages. From the very beginning I was drawn into his book. That to me shows that he is a gifted writer. Once I had put the book down, I recommended it to all my friends, and made them all read it. I actually just finished reading “A Million Little Pieces” today, and I knew that I needed to come on your site and just tell you that I think your absolutely brilliant. I loved every word you wrote, and every style you choose to write it. I am currently waiting to get your new book and I’m looking forward to read it.

James Frey, your books were the best I have ever read.

i love your books and hope to see more soon
regards
Jacob

I started A million pieces because of the reviews, and because I was surprised by this polemic around the book. American culture is an enigma for a European (sorry I am French)… this obsession about truth is impossible to understand for me. Nothing is never white or black… I do not know anything about drugs and alcohol addiction, but I must have some different kind of addiction and I do not even know it. Is it a memory book? A novel? I do not care. The point for me is the real pleasure I take reading it. I love to spend time with you James. I started to love my diary subway trip since I started reading you. I do not want to go down… I do not want to let you, lily and Leonard… I do not even want this book to finish. Strangely, you make me feel good because your world is so dark but so optimistic…
I do believe that this book is helping many people and I can understand why. Again for me more that the content, the important about this book is his quality. It is a masterpiece as a novel or as a biography… you can write the truth about yourself and some of us have probably a much worst story to tell but who can write like James Frey…
Thanks James, I forgot that reading could be such a pleasure.

Max

A Million Little Pieces

A Million Little Pieces was a very good book, a great read by a good writter. Thank god he stayed clean to be able to write this book. i am at present just starting my friend leonard and am looking forward to the read.
thats all i have to say really oh and that i don’t mind if some parts of the book are fiction shit happend but i hope most are true
andrea uk xxxxxx

I bought “A Million Little Pieces” in an American bookstore in Warsaw, Poland, along with a couple of other books to take on a short holiday. I had no idea what I was getting myself into
I have read great books in my life. Classics, masterpieces, bestsellers, novels shortlisted for the Booker Prize and books whose covers say NOBEL WINNER or PULITZER PRIZE in capital letters, books that actually won something serious and respectable. Whenever I read them I keep looking for one thing and I hardly ever find it. It’s something that got me hooked on reading when I was a kid – a compulsion to find out more and a recognition, a reflection, a resonance – there’s me in this story, and this story is in me, it’s already in me.
“A Million Little Pieces” rings true a million times. It’s a story I already know, a story I knew before I even started reading it. Like a piece of beautiful music that seems familiar even though you’re hearing it for the first time. However messed up and complicated his journey, James keeps looking for precisely this – for a recognition, a reflection, and a resonance of truth, whether it’s in Leonard, in Lilly, in the Tao book, or in a frozen lake. And I guess (to finally come back to the discussion on truth in memoirs) this is where the truth is in “A Million Little Pieces” – in Lilly’s eyes, in a frozen lake, in Hank’s jacket, in Joanne’s kindness.
I felt disappointed to find out not all facts in the book were true. But I hope that at least those little things I recognised as true, the things that resonated with me were real – really real.

James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces came to me 3rd hand from an aunt in Canada (I’m in Scotland). I had never heard of James or his work before I read the book and having just gone on line to see if he had written anything else I have been made aware over the controversy over his work. I just wanted to say this is one of the best books I have ever read regardless of whether parts are fact or fiction. A truly exceptional, inspirational piece of writing. Looking forward to reading more of his work
Kat (UK)

There’s a mistake on page 236. of Bright Shiny Morning He uses the word “falté” in spanish as if it meant “miss” which is a common mistake for a translator, the right word is “extrañé” unless of course he did it on purpose as if the character was mocking the people who speak spanglish, or inappropriate spanish. Did anybody else acknowledged this mistake- or writing strategy-

I’ve just finished reading “Million Little pieces of shit lies”.

James, I hope you are “honest” enough (as you claim to be in your “memoirs”) to leave this post on your website and not drown it under a million more little ooh I love James so much letters from adoring fans who can never will never know the pain of true addiction because they are stuck in their safe little lives and try to live dangerously through a lieing memoirist like yourself. (BTW I can also write without punctuation, it just irritates the crap out of me to repeat everything a million little times)

I am reminded of “the Fury” you supposedly felt at the rock star who spewed his b.s. at one of the lectures you were forced to attend and I can’t help but think that that piece of the book was the closest you got to reality, except that you should have explained to the reader that it was you standing up there faking an addiction.

I would recommend that in future you try to stick to something you actually know or can lie about more convincingly… and try some punctuation, or did you also not finish school and lied about that as well.

Having dealt with drug addiction and alcoholism myself I relate to Frey’s story and the sincerity in which he told it. It doesn’t matter if it’s true because the real story of Mr. Frey’s life might be a lot less interesting. Although I think it was wrong to sell this as a memoir, I’m sure he had his reasons. What matters is “a million little pieces” is an amazing book that tells a heart wrenching story with beautiful language. Had it been classified as fiction it would be left alone to be appreciated and James Frey would have more of his dignity left. The point is, it’s a fantastic story and if you’ve ever hit a low point in your life (which everyone has) you will be inspired by this mostly fictional piece of literature. Don’t let the fact that it was marketed wrong stop you from reading through this raw and gritty journey.

Raw Brutal Honesty described graphically without grammer or care for the reader. Rude, selfish, undeniably the best book I have ever read! uTTERLY BRILLIANT!

James Frey is a dry drunk scammer. Anyone who is a real alcoholic knows his story is a dime a dozen and not a good one at that. If you want to hear THE TRUTH about alcoholism then go to any 12 step meeting. The stories will make James Frey look like a comic strip.

i just finished reading “a million little pieces” and i was totally unaware of all the controversy surrounding it. i personally never put claim to anything oprah says and seeing an oprah stamp on a book only discourages me from buying it. i think that weather or not it was true, it was intense and gripping and an amazing piece of writing. the goal of every writer is to create something amazing and that makes you believe, even for one minute, that it’s true. I don’t think it matters if it was completely accurate, how accurate do you think any autobiographies are? you can never be completely true and completely objective about a situation. anyhow, i think this was an amazing book and oprah is full of crap. she has too much influence over the minds of people and she uses that to get into their heads.
and to andrea, yeah so what if there are a ton of people out there just like james frey, he’s the only one that had the courage to write about it and let us into his head. there were thousands of people out there in the same situation as anne frank and yet people make a big deal out of her story. the difference is she wrote about it.
the point is that the book was an incredible piece of work and nobody has the right to discredit or disclaim or influence people to not want to read it just because they’re upset that they were fooled. that’s petty and immature.

who gives a shit about whether its a memoir or fiction? im sure oprah liked it because it was a good book, not because of the genre.

I suppose this has been said before, but honestly it pisses me off so much that Oprah and the media and the 17,000 (or whatever the number was) people who insisted on being refunded for their book took everything in this book so seriously that they would actually take it as a personal betrayal on Frey’s part. I would not care if this whole book was a complete sham, the message is profound and brutal and beautiful, it has deeply affected me. The point of writing a book, of talking of truth and of the hard things in life, of sending a message out for the public to read, is multi-faceted, but I think there are two main reasons one might do this; One is to create a piece of art that could be appreciated by others and by oneself and Two, to impart a new perspective, to inform others, to add to the melting pot of self-expression, and to hopefully effect people. James Frey has accomplished this beyond a shadow of a doubt far more than many other writers have, in my opinion. I find it disgusting and pathetic that The Smoking Gun and Oprah and all the other media outlets, etc, thought it a good, honest, and worthy idea to rip apart someone’s message, a message that has actually helped so many many people. And I mean no offense but…aren’t all religious texts potentially shams? I mean they can’t all be right, a lot of them are mutually exclusive, but people base their entire lives around one. I have no problem with that, but it seems to me there is a gaping double standard.

Also, Bright Shiny Morning is a fantastic book.
Thanks, James, you have helping me in many ways, and fuck them all.

Wow, I have just finished reading my fabulous copy of “a million little pieces”; I was so touched by the memoir that I had to find out more about this amazing man. In retrospect I wish I had not been so curious, but I do agree that this story should state “based on true facts”. It was such a thrill to read and hard to put down. I know that I will purchase “My friend Leonard”, but don’t think that I will feel as much empathy as I did during my first encounter with Frey!

I have just researched JF on the http://www. and read a little of the issues surrounding the truth of the account in AMLP. I suppose we will never know what was in JF’s heart when he wrote the book, if, as we are led to believe, he embelished certin aspects of his life (as I strongly suspected when reading the book)in order to profit then he should truly be ashamed. He has misrepresented addiction and I believe, created the danger of false hope for those in the grip of addiction to drink and drugs. If his motivation was anything other than profit, perhaps to create a motivational story, then, perhaps he should not be condemned, just told to grow up. Personally, having watched some U-Tube interviews, I think he’s a knob!

james frey may be a fraud but he has a real vivid imagination and still kept many reading throughout the night.
it is very sad to hear it was a fraud and he claimed it not to be but kudos for making a fantastic book for people to enjoy.

James,

I’m athiest / agnostic but I wasn’t surprised that Muslim friends of mine took offence to a ‘pretend’ muslim emerging amongst us. He liked Islamic music & clothing but certainly didn’t want to get up at 5am to pray.

I’m a genuine drug addict. That you profit from our misery is a touch disturbing. I can’t get that excited about it though. Surely you were aware that your hypocrisy of dishonesty would come back to bite you on the ass?

Patrick

Patrick

I don’t usually bother with comments like this but the advert on the back of Saturday’s Guardian TV Guide has pissed me off enough to leave a comment. I’ll quote some of the advert,
“OPRAH LOVED IT. THEN SHE DENOUNCED HIM. HE COULD CARE LESS…WHAT DO YOU SAY?”
I say Mr Frey should sue his copywriter, unless he can care less…from his writing it IS evident making sense is not particularly important to him.

I bought the bok because it had a nice cover and a good title and thought it would be a good read from the description on the back. I had never heard of it and I am pleased I read it. Personally I think that those of you who are annoyed at James for the controversy around this book need to get out more. Its a great book, brilliantly wrote and who cares if areas of it were embelished?

Last night I finished reading My Friend Leonard after having read A Million Little Pieces last week. This is my second time round, only this time I somehow felt even more emotional when reading it. That may be because i’m going through some life changes at the moment and so many of the words in these books helped me push forward. I have to say I never knew about the whole Oprah, Smoking Gun stuff and to be honest I couldnt give a shit what is true or what is not. I can never find any decent books to read and yet every time I read James Frey i get hooked. I didnt know there was a new book and I seriously can’t wait to go and buy it tomorrow. James Frey your amazing and inspiring. xx

A writers job is to entice the mind, I didn’t go into this book knowing it was a “true” story but still felt completely drawn to the compleing meaning as a piece of fiction.

A truely amazing story to say the least.

never underestimate the power of a good read. All this controversy over one man and his book is outstanding in my eyes.
well done James Frey a truely spectacular paperback (:

-Nicholas

It doesnt matter if it was real or fiction. It still touched people in so many ways. He is my role model for life.

His books are awesome. If someone tells me something, and I believe it, it’s the truth to me. And anyway, like many here have said, does it even matter? It’s a great read and an inspiration for all addicts out there, including myself. Someone said they are bothered becasue he is “profiting from our (addicts) misery”. I think that guy is just jealous that he didn’t profit.

James Frey wrote a book so capturing, so raw that it doesn’t matter if it was embellished or not. The book is real, and true to what life for drug addicts is like, what it is like TO THEM. period. this book is amazing. Plain and simple.

just finished leonard, am looking forward to reading bright shiny morning!
keep writing james, wwether or not your a fraud i think your books are amazing!
you have a good fan base in england (uk)
keep it up!!!

I imagine that Mr. Frey has had as bumpy a road as an established writer can have, but if Bright Shiny Morning is the result then it has to worth it. What a fantastic and inventive novel with backbone and heart. Can’t wait for the next one.

I was just crawling around in my head and my Brooklyn neighborhood and there on the sidewalk was A Million Little Pieces. I sat on a stoop and started to read. And then I thanked the idiot that threw it away.

So here’s what I think, lil’ ole me. The details are irrelevant. What’s relevant is the exacting way the urge, the need to do something so self destructive one’s veins might explode with it is described. What’s relevant is the notion that we have to take accountability for our lives and our actions. Stand up and stop placing blame. Realize there were times without choice, but we have a choice now. My drug of choice may have been food (or the lack there of), but again, the details in this fabric are irrelevant. I am alive today because I decided to own my life and all the dumb shit I insisted on doing. Oh yeah – and stop doing it.

So meow, meow, meow silly critics. I’m just so sorry you missed the forest for the trees and all that jazz.

This memoir was amazing. When people write their own it is shown from their point of view, and you know what? The main point is to tell a story and James Frey damn well did it. I am 16 years old and I bought this book, read it, talked to my teacher about it and she told me all the hype and controversy surrounding it. Nevertheless I do not care whatsoever. It was simply amazing and no amount of criticism will ever change that.In addition, though facts might be faulty, things like this happen in real life to many many people! This memoir opened my eyes to the real world and made me see things from a different point of view. As for those who criticize this memoir, it does not really matter what you think. This novel was enticing, interesting and had me from the first page. I am not concerned at all as to the truth factor of the book. It was amazing and that is all that matters. James Frey, keep it up, your work is inspiring.

so what if its not the whole truth – then its fiction so the hell what – if you enjoyed the read then thats all that matters…he obviously knows what to include in a narrative to sell…what the reader enjoys and wants to read.. Reading is not about the author its about the content of the book and your response to it. chill out and enjoy the read..
Loved bright shiny morning! Emma – London

To me it doesn’t matter that the book wasn’t strictly completely autobiographical, I don’t think that this diminishes its integrity if I’m honest. The story, the book still stands its own as a beautiful, heartbreaking, inspiring piece of writing; I don’t see it as exploitative in any way. Ok, maybe the way it was advertised may not have been honest, but if we view the book aside from its context, it matters very little. I try to judge a book by its merit, without reference to the author as far as possible, and it was a damn good book. If you were inspired by the events and the characters portrayed, whether they exist exactly as they were described is immaterial, it still remains a novel which evokes the resilience and fortitude of the human spirit, it loses none of its inspiring qualities.
I think you’re a great writer Mr Frey.

A friend of mine told me to order this book. I ordered it…then my friend told me about how he lied about murdering some people.

Did some research online…and I am disgusted someone would lie about that. Did he not think about the poor families who lost these people?!

I decided to cancel my order. He doesn’t deserve my money.

Some say story truth is more real than real truth.

It gets the point across, and it’s a good book for man, and that’s all that should matter.

%&*$ Oprah. I am sure this was the publishing house, meaning their idea to push it as a memoir. Dude wanted his work out in the world. The book is outstanding and creatively written. And if someone can pull you into their words like James did that should speak for its self. And I really couldn’t care less how his first book got into my hands. It rocked. %&*$ Oprah. And I am her number one fan.

I recently finished reading A Million Little Pieces. I read it knowing there was some controversy surrounding the veracity of some of the details. As a healthcare worker in a large county hospital, I’ve been eyewitness to detox and had to care for wounds from shooters’ abcesses, crack pipe mishaps and so forth so it wasn’t too hard to determine what I felt to be fictional. I read the entire book even though painful at times. Let me say,I love books;I revere books and the talent authors have to touch people’s lives; I treat books with the utmost respect and enjoy sharing them with friends. When I finished AMLP I was left with an unusual feeling…it must have been disappointment laced with disgust because
I.
Threw.
The.
book.
In.
The.
Trash.

After reading AMLP, I had to share it with a friend who was going through an addicition problem. Well she shared it with a friend in her program. And so the story goes. I am not an addict nor have I ever been close to being one, but to have an addict tell me they could relate says alot about the content of your book. I believed what I was reading and felt the pain of your mother. I am a fan of your works and will continue to read them and share them with my friends. So forget what the others say, you’re still a great writer.

I have read all his books… and it really doesn’t matter to me whats real n whats made up… his books r a good read… n thats all that matters!

I have recently started reading “A Million Little Pieces” and I say, does it matter if James Frey embellished or not? It’s a brilliant book and at the end of the day it’s telling a story, which is something that both novels and memoirs do. They tell a story. Terrific writting and I can’t stop reading it. Looking forward to finishing the book and reading the others.

James, thank you for sharing your stories and staying sobre enough to follow that calling for you to write and write even when you didn’t know what it was all about! How mad are these people that want to expose you or what ever rubbish they tried to throw at you..how do they think anyone who hadn’t lived through this agony would want to claim it let alone own it! I am glad the only thing addictive about you now is the way you write..enjoy your family and carry on cherishing all that you have..love and blessings Nicola x

Fantastic books, didn’t want any of them to end, especially Bright Shiny Morning (which I finished yesterday) – bring on the next one!!

Re truth and falsehood in memoir: When Frey describes himself as bleeding and snot faced on the airplane, although he was not literally like that, he is describing a physical picture of his emotional state.

Your book has saved my life twice. I read it when I think there is no hope. Thank you, and please keep writing. I feel you may be my only hope to recovery.

I have a lot of respect for JF. Irrelevant of how accurate his writing is in relation to his own experience, he has a gift. He moves people, and anyone reading his words feels what they are supposed to feel.
The man had his hardships, battle to over come them, and was brave enough to share them with the rest of the world. Even if some aspect have been embellished surely this must deserve some praise. Even more, he should be an example to many of us (especially to alcoholics, drug addicts and criminals!).
Anyone who would have read MLP prior to ‘the debate’ would have been inspired by it (and most probably even after). More importantly, MLP would be an inspiration to others in similar situations. Only good could come out of it.
So why would one of the richest women in the world spend time, money and effort into trying to destroy any good that could have come out of such brilliant work? Why bring a man down? Why kill the dream? Why kill the hope? Why put a negative spin on someone’s hard work? There was nothing to gain from this. No extra praise to her. No good to him. This ‘debate’ could only generate negative results. So why do it? Because of the dictionary definition of the word ‘memoir’? Surely people in such positions (as a highly influential public character as a talk show host) should look at the greater picture of their actions before committing to them.
I find the attack on JF a shame to those who started it. It was a low blow. A cheap blow. And a perfect example of the direction this society is headed because of the people we put on TV (sadly people on television are today’s role models to younger generations).

Keep writing Mr. Frey, and thank you.

Looks like people still want to take something so personal and throw it out for every other f****r to prod and poke and have an opinion on! Really no different from turn the channel if you don’t like what you see! But to bag on something cause you have connection is a waste of breath.

You gave me gift Mr Frey, Thank You x Your Biggest English Fan x x P.S how old is the baby?

As a choregrapher hoping to ‘direct’ more..I have been totally inspired by James..’MLP’ blew me away and am now working with two actors on the scene between James and John..it made me cry when I read it. Your work is invaluable..because it is accessible, moving, intelligent..pls let us know when you’re coming to London!

I just finished Bright shiny Morning – an incredible book. I could write a whole load of stuff about how I related to nearly every character etc etc but I’ll just say thanks. I will now go out an buy the 2 others you have written.

I just finished Bright Shinny Morning too. Awesome book, it got me through a lot of lonely hours on airplanes! Favorite characters has to be Dylan and Maddie. Gutting end!

the fact that some of the details of AMLP were embellished does not stop it from being one of the most powerful and moving books I have ever read.
I don’t imagine that any human being has ever written a completely factual memoir, they always seem to flow just right and be just dramatic enough in all the right places.

I mean, hands up who thinks that even 10% of Dave Peltzer’s “A Boy Named It” was true.

Who the hell cares if AMLP or MFL was fact or fiction, the stories were amazing and I wish I could only read James Frey’s works, as they are moving, thought provoking and heartfelt. JF is an amazing author and what crackhead is expected to have a precise and complete factbased recollection of reality-even if they are recovering? I can’t wait to read more!

I’m a huge fan of Mr. Frey. I read A Million Little Pieces about 2 yrs ago, I absolutely love it!! Than while I was frantically looking for My Friend Leonard thu’ out Kuala Lumpur..on numerous accasions, only to be told its sold out n have to wait for the new stocks, I forgot about it for a while than The Twilight Saga came into picture … bla..bla..bla.. Recently I while strolling into a local bookstore with my girl n stumbled upon ‘My Friend Leonard’ I could not help but grabbed it instantly…and I finished reading within a day!!! What a great book… Mr. Frey, u never failed me…be it fiction or non, I still live all yr books and will soon start looking for yr ‘Bright Shiny Morning’…just can’t wait!!!!

I read the book AMLP and it really shook me up. I am an addict and an alcoholic and still struggling with it. The parts that I really identified with were those when james was talking about his views on faith and the 12 steps and AA. When I found out about the controversy I did feel hurt which is weird i dont know him why does it matter that he lied? I think it is because it makes me feel as though any of the book could be made up especially the parts about Lilly. I would love to write an honest account of my life – what I have seen, endured and lived through. But you know what? No one wants to hear about it and I dont have the balls or the money to do it I’m not rich, my parents arent rich and I cant afford to do it. It’s a shame though because I all think we deserve some truth.

James’s story might have stretched the truth but it’s his own work of art. His book was meant to be a work of literature not a self inspiring story, although that is what it turned out to be. It helped many, whether it is true or not. His relationship with the charters is what reached out to me. Those relationships were from his own perception and that can not be made a lie. This book touched everyone and that is why it’s become a controversy. Those who truly appreciate this book don’t care about the media or what was made to be a lie, the basic idea was true and that is good enough for me. The media can say what they want but I will remember this book for exactly what it is, a beautiful work of art.

I choose to see “what happened” as creative license.

The book is brilliant… And what of it that may not be “true” in James’ case, may just be “true” for someone else.

It’s still a great book, a great story (regardless of fact/fiction issues) and I’m very grateful to have discovered and read it.

Thank you James… Again… =D

What did he lie about?

Just finished AMLP, received this as a gift and read assuming it was a work of fiction, shocked at the end to read otherwise. Now I don’t know what to think with the levels of embelishment being unknown. Either way, a very powerful book!!

james you are truely an inspirational writer you have helped me and friends in the past and your books are AMAZING i love what you write i can REALLY relate to it and james in the book as a person is strong and amazing

LOVING IT

ABBI

I really dont see what the big deal is the stories were both excellent and they are just that stories ..not instructional guides on how to get clean, not AA materials, Big deal some details are embellished BFD get over it they are wonderfully written. I will continue to be a fan because I choose to!

a million little pieces and my friend leonard are both the most powerful, moving and emotional books i have ever read.
to me, they are expert. i’ve never read a book that can make me feel what the author wants you to feel while reading as much as i did with your books. sometimes i would throw down the book and say “i hate you james frey! how dare you make me cry like this.”
if the books are true, they are brilliant. if the books aren’t as true, they are still brilliant. it doesn’t matter because either way i was moved by your writing.
evening standard review got it so right “frey can really write. Brilliantly, and if you don’t think so, fuck you”

I read his book over the past few days as part of a book club. I loved it. Much of it resonated strongly. I didnt’ look the author up until I finished and got to this page. A good book is a good book and this is a good book. I was truly moved.

This is the second post I’ve made about A Million Little Pieces. I think that the most upsetting part to most people was how easily they’d been duped. The same people that had felt inspired by a pretty thin piece of fiction now wanted their money back from this literary snake-oil salesman. I’m a writer and recovering junky. One of the only redeeming aspects of addiction is that it destoys so much of the extraneous parts of life that what remains are only the essentials. Addiction, if delved into deeply enough, strips away alot of vanity. I wonder at the core experience of anyone that got clean at twenty-three. Of course I’m happy that he has a life and isn’t vomiting on himself or wrestling bottles of Thunderbird away from winos. But Frey wrote this book for the wrong reason-he wanted to a famous writer. He’s achieved that but I wonder at the costs. This whole idea that truth should be subjugated to happy sentiments is of questionable merit but says something about us. We’ll believe those things that hold up a rosy mirror to ourselves, even if we suspect at some level this image is false. I’m not sure that the aim of fiction is to help its readers sleep better at night. Good fiction should scare the shit of the reader. It should get inside the self and move things around a bit. It shouldn’t work on the mind and heart like a narcotic. That’s the real irony here, Frey has written the textual cousin of crack cocaine. The book begs to be binged on. One can pour over a hundred pages without ever stopping to think. His attempts at cosmology “theres is nothing higher, I will do it with me” are narcissistic and laughable. The only real experience to Frey is a constant moving forward, a sort of blind dynamism that draws the reader on through landscapes as flat and lifeless as a plasma screen T.V. The book forces the reader to ask the question, “What is the meaning of this experience?” Frey answers, “To be annihilated.” Even the glowing blurbs on the books back cover call the book an addiction, which is meant as the highest form of praise. I’m glad that James Frey isn’t smoking crack anymore. It’s been my experience that speed addicts talk and talk without saying much. Of course he desrves to make a living. Of course he should have a good and comfortable life. Of course he should continue writing books. Like everybody else, he’s just doing his able best with the talents he has. But you won’t catch me reading him. I’ll do that the way you’re supposed to smoke crack, in a locked room with the shades drawn.

Read all 3 books, AMLP absolutely gobsmacked me…brilliant, MFL made me cry, and I don’t cry much, the only writer that has EVER stirred my emotions, we need more James Frey books, an addiction that is good for once!!!

Just read a few comments about A Million Little Pieces….who gives a flying f**k about truth or non truth, the story, the writing is so brilliant, emerse youself in the tale, feel the pain, put youself there, is that not what reading books is all about, I don’t care if things where made up, it took me in and rattled me, give it to me again James I need more!!!!

i havent read your book yet(a mllion little pieces)but ive heard its a peartty good book . actually im a drug addict myself i smoke weed every day!!!. i dnt now y people say its bad did you now that mostley every thing they say about weed is a myth. and wat really pisses me off is that people say bad things about it when they havent even tryed it. i mean i understand if u did try it and u dnt like it watever thats ur loss.ever since i starded smoking weed in fifth grade my life has been more i dnt now better i guess.the only affect ive gotten from weed is shortterm memorie loss but i was already bad at remembering stuf in the first place.and supposibly weed makes u hav bad grades in skool and u just dnt giv a fukk any more thats bullshit! i hav perfectly good grades right now. i dnt think its the weeds fault for your grades thats ur fault u made that decision.my goal is to proof all that shit that they siad about weed wrong im going to smoke through my high school years and graduate ill proof them all wrong youll c . oh yeah back to the book i dnt now why but i just hav a lot of interest in things that hav to do with drugs. like dr phil celebrity rehab haha that shows good. and have your read under the wolf,under the dog if u liked a million little pieces i recommend that book its peartty darn good

Fuck the haters all your books are great, I just finished a Bright Shining Morning and was not suprised that it was original, funny, and heart breaking. Keep up the good work and give us another book soon! And remember fuck the haters.

I just had a conversation with a co-worker regarding Wallace, and James Frey came up. We had a heated and healthy debate regarding memoirs. I felt compelled to say something in the hopes that the author may see it and even possibly respond. Regardless, I read “A million little pieces” little by little when visiting Barnes and Nobles(my home away from home) and was extremely fascinated and interested by the style of writing…choppy, direct, and without a whole lot of quotations. It was kind of like reading an ongoing thought process, if that makes sense. However, perhaps, I am naive, but I never expected everything to be exactly true. That is the debate of memoirs…do you read them for absolute truth or for entertainment value? Anyhow, I cannot leave this post without saying Oprah was overly dramatic and exploited James Frey on her show for self serving purposes, in my opinion. As an aspiring writer myself, I can certainly understand writing in an idealized “self” and have learned alot from this controversy.

No one realizes the the parts he “embellished” are so minute to the rest of the story and the book!!!! Which IS all factual…come on people! Stupid DRAMA!!!

Well done James Frey whether your book was all truth or not doesnt matter, you captured the essence of addiction and recovery beautifully. Your book shows how difficult it is to recover from an addiction like this unlike many books which make it seem like a walk in the park.
As someone who has people close to them with addictions i found it hugely informative and helpful.
congratulations!

What ‘debate’? The evidence says large portions of it are fiction–large enough portions to make the few parts that aren’t truly irrelevant. It is not a true portrait of addiction, and is actually quite dangerous to those who who read it and believe it.

I don’t give a fuck if it’s the truth or not. These books have changed my life, significantly. They will forever be known as part of my ‘history’ and what makes me ‘me’. Thanks for all you’ve done James- I tip my hat off to you!

I found A Million Little Pieces in a thrift store a few months ago. I absolutely loved the book. Particularly the characters portrayed within it. But, I now find out that it’s not a factual account. I’m gutted. I have absolutely no interest in fiction. I read only about real events, and real people. Very very disappointed!

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