A Million Little Pieces

by James Frey

Introduction and Acquisition: On the bookshelf of my best friend/hostess, who insists she never re-reads a book. I of course had heard of the book, it having been embroiled in the scandal that this "purely-factual", Oprah-endorsed memoir had a few too many embellishments for its defenders' comfort.

Time and Circumstance: End of June 2007, in Southern California. I had just finished the book I was reading, and so picked that one up, just to satiate my curiosity.


What was cool: Holy Cow, that's some seriously powerful writing. From the start it was Bam! socked you right in the jaw with is pared down language, simple succinct rawness. It's one of those books that hooks you from the start, and only after a few pages do you wake up and realize the world you've been living the past few minutes was only on the page. He's a great writer, a very masculine writer, and some scenes graphic enough that I just had to skip them.


What sucked: For a memoir it was a little too "neat" in its tidy arcs and nicely rounded metaphroical backgrounds. Let's see, the detailed description of the storm coinciding with his rage that bubbles up, finally free from the numbness of alcohol and narcotics. A little too forced. The biggest suckiest thing is that this amazing, powerful writer will forever be branded in such a negative way that many people will miss out on experiencing the gift he has. I am amused how we, the media-brainwashed public, suddenly bought the idea that there are standards of integrity in literature especially biographies, and great writing and story telling is now suddenly judged on its factual accuracy. Please, people, it's a story, not a history lesson or accounting sheet. Didja really just pick up the book to seek out the facts? Or did you honestly vye for a great, mesmerizing story?

Leftover Thoughts: Great story. I know there is another book called "My Friend Leonard" that's the sequel, and I'm not dying to pick it up. Maybe, some day. Again, he's a great, powerful writer. I'm really hoping he can pick himself up out of this mess - a good publicist? - so we can see more of this man's great talent.