A Million Little Pieces

By James Frey

A Million Little Pieces - James Frey
  • Release Date: 2003-04-15
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 678 Ratings

Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A gripping memoir about the nature of addiction and the meaning of recovery from a bold and talented literary voice. “Anyone who has ever felt broken and wished for a better life will find inspiration in Frey’s story.” —People

“A great story.... You can't help but cheer his victory.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review

By the time he entered a drug and alcohol treatment facility, James Frey had taken his addictions to near-deadly extremes. He had so thoroughly ravaged his body that the facility’s doctors were shocked he was still alive. The ensuing torments of detoxification and withdrawal, and the never-ending urge to use chemicals, are captured with a vitality and directness that recalls the seminal eye-opening power of William Burroughs’s Junky.

But A Million Little Pieces refuses to fit any mold of drug literature. Inside the clinic, James is surrounded by patients as troubled as he is—including a judge, a mobster, a one-time world-champion boxer, and a fragile former prostitute to whom he is not allowed to speak—but their friendship and advice strikes James as stronger and truer than the clinic’s droning dogma of How to Recover. James refuses to consider himself a victim of anything but his own bad decisions, and insists on accepting sole accountability for the person he has been and the person he may become—which runs directly counter to his counselors' recipes for recovery.

James has to fight to find his own way to confront the consequences of the life he has lived so far, and to determine what future, if any, he holds. It is this fight, told with the charismatic energy and power of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, that is at the heart of A Million Little Pieces: the fight between one young man’s will and the ever-tempting chemical trip to oblivion, the fight to survive on his own terms, for reasons close to his own heart. "

Reviews

  • Spectacular

    5
    By Jeffrey V.
    Had chills. Beautifully written.
  • I have read this book many times!

    5
    By Sammi Davis
    I was sucked into this book and couldn’t put it down. I’m not much of a reader. I don’t typically find any joy in it but, this book captivated me. True or not, it’s a great read!
  • Not for me

    1
    By ClosetCountry
    Too much of the same stuff over and over
  • Raw and unnerving masterpiece

    5
    By Jillian Berrios
    Incredible insight into the life of an addict, the impact on a family dealing with an addict, and hope for those dealing with addiction. Absolutely stunning.
  • A million little pieces

    5
    By LPNsk19
    Amazing read!! I could not put this book down! I would read this again and again!!!
  • This book was gripping and captivating from start to finish

    5
    By kaykaybean13
    So many of us can relate to this authors struggle and what a decision made during a poorly chosen time would manage to do to him for the majority of his life. I first read this when he first released it and it changed my heart, mind and soul for the very best. This book has undoubtedly RESONATED with millions. Frey’s genuineness,willingness to overcome his justifications, excuses and blame he points very quickly and loaded accusations with out wanted to take on what he has created that has caused the fallout and his current situation. First honest, raw, relatable narrative of its time and it was the pioneer of the internal battles that come along with addictions and the unfortunate less than SUB PAR rehabilitations and help anyone in this situation has to intervene, heal and redirect the mind set into other productive and healthy steps needed to rebuild their lives. There’s an exact portrait of just how little is provided for those fighting this battle and it’s come to several substance abuse specialists therapists and physicians that there needs to be serious, committed and devoted passes for the patients that gives them unwavering support and encouragement to keep fighting this dilenba. There needs to be more focus on rehab places community service and volunteerism as well as therapy and holistic approaches to heal this soul from the poison that have now taken hold of their minds, chased all their support systems away due to continued relapse and it’s a subject that actually did get America and other countries taking and more supporting of those still warring against these drugs that have stolen their lives and dreams of the future.
  • Moving

    5
    By libro libra
    This book is one that you better have hours to dedicate to when you start reading because you won’t want to put it down! I loved it!!
  • Why is this book still labeled as a memoir!!??

    1
    By Bs sv
    I’m VERY upset. I just purchased this book after reading the free sample only to find that it is NOT a true story. I am struggling with addiction myself and it is heartbreaking that someone would make up such a hard thing to go through. Maybe I should write a book. I have actually TRUTHFULLY went through this stuff.
  • Opens the spirit

    5
    By triborosnicotine
    I really enjoyed this book. I wish it never ended !
  • I LOVE IT!

    5
    By Juliofrank83
    I could not but this book down! This is an in-depth look at the author;s life at a rebalititation center. There he makes friends, and recalls parts of his life. Triumph over tragedy, indeed!
  • A Million Little Pieces

    5
    By It Actually Works !
    I love love loved this book!
  • Help me

    4
    By Giantscorpian
    I downloaded the sample, fell in love with it, but now when I try to buy it, it says it's being modified. I been trying later for a couple of days now, idk what to do, anyone can help me please?!
  • Best book I've ever read

    5
    By Colin 63
    I am not huge into reading but heard great review about this book. I can say with certainty that this is the most touching and interesting book I've ever read. I read the book cover to cover in 3 days. If you are contemplating reading it, know that it is very real, intense, horrific, and beautiful all at the same time. Fantastic read, great job James Frey
  • Addicts are liars and believe their own lies

    4
    By LDBTLS
    I believe the only thing that I can fault james Frey for is not standing up to his critics!! We as Addict's make up stories whether it's a little one or a big one!!! Bottom line the book was HIS book Who cares about the mobster or whatever That's his version! And who the hell is anyone to judge that!! He might have come clean and said this is my story Whether in his head or fact But guess what none of you people what have understood So really back off And to the #11 LOSER DENIAL BUDDY BACK YOUR WORDS UP WITH AN INTELLIGENT OPINION
  • My favorite

    5
    By cheby Machan
    I found this book while trash digging with one of my old grade school friends.😂 well, when i got back home that night i started reading it,and i loved the details of how it felt not being able to have or do something you were addicted to. I really do give this a hole lot more ratings then five cause this book is just amazing. Thank you james frey for my favorite book of all time.💘😘
  • I hated it (at first)

    4
    By prettygoodbook
    Initially, I hated this book. The repetition in it was painful to read. Sometimes it was painful because I got the point and it seemed endless. Sometimes it was painful because I felt the gruesome agony of the characters. I liked the end. Some of the characters outcomes were predictable and others were not, which made me a little sad. Halfway through, I looked up the author in google and found that there was confusion with the authenticity of this book. It was a little disappointing to know it is not all factual, even though that was never the intention of this book. After finishing it, that doesn't seem to matter anymore. I appreciate how the end of this book was not corny. Despite my mixed opinions and debating with whether I should finish the book, I'm glad I did. I recommend this book to anybody who appreciates a book that reveals pain and happiness in its raw and simplest form.
  • fantastic book!

    5
    By Kireen
    I loved this book! It had you wanting more and more and I did read all books following. This was by far the best read. Raw and well written!
  • This book helped me understand a lot

    5
    By Hayheadd
    This book helped me understand how hard if was for someone who is an alcoholic and drug addict. My father was both of those and after reading this book, I began to understand how he felt. This book is beautifully written and I've fallen in love with it. I've read it at least 5 times over the past two years. Everyone should read this book!! :)
  • Lies still make great stories

    5
    By crushed box
    I read this book in 2003 before the scandal broke of Frey's lies. I love this book. I love it even after knowing its more fiction and less truth. Beautifully written.