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demanda (USA: TN) (2006/08/15):
I don't care if parts of this story were fabricated or not...I looove it! I really enjoy Mr. Frey's unique writing style, and the way he tells a story. Don't let the controversy surrounding this book discourage you from reading a great book.
Palmer (USA: FL) (2006/10/21):
Who cares if bits of the truth were fudged? It's still a mighty fine read, and I recommend it to anyone!
Michael Brewer (USA: AZ) (2007/03/09):
James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" is a read which takes little to no effort and is written using a simple vocabulary and format that almost telepathically connected me to his story. Even if this book does contain falsehoods, there is a bit of truth in every theme presented with every situation. James also does an excellent job of introducing you to the intensity of his addiction and the intensity of his overcoming it. I highly recommend it--especially if you have an appreciation for poetry.
Nobodysgirl (USA: IN) (2007/11/25):
I found this book very hard to follow. He doesn't use quotes when people are talking, so I couldn't tell when he was actually talking or just thinking to himself. It's a good story, I just found it difficult to get through.
Mary (USA: OH) (2008/04/06):
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I am not a drug user, nor will ever be - but this is a book of hope. It is a down-to-the-nitty-gritty REAL book about drug abuse and its demanding, overwhelming, all-encompasing evil. This book is a disturbing, raw read that I could not put down. I highly recommend it to EVERYONE.
Kate (USA: MO) (2008/05/25):
This was a difficult read, because of the tortured life of this drug abuser, but also because of his writing style. It is very unique, but once you get used to it, you see why it's written the way it is. This man came back to life from the brink of hell, and for that he is to be commended. I was extremely disappointed in Oprah's treatment of him after she learned that the story wasn't entirely true. I still admire James Frey for what he lived through, and Oprah should too.
♥princessjulia♥ (USA: DE) (2008/07/01):
Anyone who knows anything about addicts, drugs, etc. will know this is a work of fiction. Had he portrayed it as such I probably would have liked it as well. Going into it thinking this was a memoir and knowing otherwise (before the truth came out) soured my completely on it. It's a decent read, just not what he claimed it to be. You're left wondering if anything at all in the story was true, aside from the parts that are obviously not. I wouldn't recommend it.
Lauren (USA: MO) (2008/08/04):
AMAZING BOOK! Probably one of the best I've read. I finished it a few days ago and by the end I was crying. I would recommend this to anyone!
Tara Peace (USA: VA) (2008/09/29):
great great book. terribly hard to put down. engrossing to the end.
Marcy (USA: OR) (2008/10/19):
I absolutely loved this book. Some parts were unbelievably painful as he took you through the raw detail of his pain and suffering. Has a great way of introducing you to new people as they come into his life. He may have been a deadbeat in a downward spiral throughout, but in the end, you are definitely rooting for him to make it. You also see that he has a kind heart and the candle to love and be loved still burns withn him, even though he has an undeniable self-deafing rage even he can't understand. He falls in love with someone who is worse off than him and he loves her anyway. Steps out of his problems to help all those who he feels close to. The book has you on the edge of your seat throughout because you don't know whether he will succeed or lose, and you're on his side, regardless of the mess he's made out of his life. His writing style is unlike anything I have ever read and I didn't even notice the lack of quotes around the speaking parts because he's written in such a way that you understand what he's saying as you go through it. One of the best books I've ever read. Oprah should have given him credit for his writing style and his ability to make it out of a deadend nowhere life. I would read anything he has written and wish Mr. Frey continued success wherever his new world takes him. Great, great, book.
Kate (USA: IA) (2008/11/05):
This work is incomparable. The pain, humanness, hope ... all that it is full of is astounding. I knew nothing of the authenticity controversity until after I read it. That should not overshadow that which isn't as thought.... we all have our versions of our lives and how we live/lived them. Tremendous work. I was MOST disappointed to hear of Oprah's behavior. She should have more dignity and maturity. EVERYONE should read this book. The style fascinated me.
lynn (USA: PA) (2009/01/16):
I loved this book and found it very hard to put down. The writing was raw , the emotions were raw and this book gives you an inside glimpse of an addicts life.. READ it..
Jim (USA: KY) (2009/03/13):
The first part of this book is well done. Frey does describe what it is like to be an addict well - yes, I'm one & I know. After that, it was pure fiction & dangerous to anyone dealing with an addiction. From his description, I believe he went to the same treatment center as I did. They would never allow him to run his own program or pull half the crap he said he did. His best thinking & will power got him to treatment. It isn't logical nor part of any reputable treatment plan, to allow the addict to cure himself. If it was, none of us would ever be in a treatment center in the first place. I went there because it was that or death. My mother read the book & said it gave her an insight into my disease she had never had before. Kudos for that. She believed the whole book - I knew most of it was fiction way before Oprah finally got around to saying it. Thumbs down to Oprah on this one - she had to know it too, from her medical expert who supposedly told her well before air time. As for Mr. Frey, he got his moment of fame, probably a lot of money & hopefully he really isn't really an addict or it will likely kill him. There are better ways for a loved one to know what it is like to be an addict. If that person won't go to AA, NA or Alanon - if you think this is the only way for them to learn - by all means give them the book. Just rip the last half to 2/3 of it out first.
rocio (USA: FL) (2009/06/04):
The story itself turned out to be heavily embellished, but I found it absolutely hard to put this book down. Even if you've never had a problem with or have associated with anyone with an addiction, it's very interesting and you will learn a lot about the state of mind that people are in. James Frey is a very unconventional writer in my opinion and that is a lot of what made this book very good!
brittany (USA: CA) (2009/06/27):
This book helped me not only realize how lucky I am to live my life, but to appreciate that the worst situations that happen to me are not so terrible. A wonderful book to gain strength, gain confidence, and gain acceptance of yourself.
Minni555 (USA: NJ) (2009/07/19):
I read the 2nd book first, "My Friend Leonard" after picking it up in my school's faculty loung. I thoroughly enjoyed his writing style, it was an easy read and funny as hell. I then picked up this book, and again am enjoying the book, although not as much as the 2nd. True or not, I like his writing style and descriptive details.
Connie (USA: GA) (2009/09/20):
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and also read "My Friend Leonard". I love his writing style even if it is embellished. He is a very creative and talented writer. The books are well written and fast, easy reads. I had trouble putting them down.
Andrea (USA: FL) (2009/11/15):
Great story, quick read, sad & happy ending.
carla (USA: PA) (2010/01/20):
excellent one of the best books i have ever read
tnkerbelle13 (USA: PA) (2010/06/01):
James Frey suffered a lot of criticism when it was revealed that his book "A Million Little Pieces" may have contained fabricated or exaggerated story elements. Frey's response in the beginning of the novel, I feel, suffice as an explanation, saying that he a) writes from his perspective about what he remembers, and b) was writing for the purposes of entertaining an audience. Any elaborations or fabrications were all going towards a single point: to show the experiences of a recovering addict and give hope to those who are currently recovering. The story is sometimes a grim one, but it is honest and triumphant. As a child of an addict, Frey's story touched me, and wasn't poorly written to boot. I give this book 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. Enjoyable enough, fast paced, but pretty predictable as far as a recovery story.
Emma (Greece) (2010/08/23):
Loved this book!!!
veranaz22 (USA: HI) (2010/11/17):
I have up on page 40 because it felt like I was watching grass grow. I don't see how this is "ripping, gripping." I did not understand the necessity of the author capitalizing/making pronouns words such as "room" and "nurse" at every mention. The concept of the story seems good, but how he lays it out seems too much. Every waking moment is included in this "memoir," which I thought was not necessary to write the story. One could probably find a better author for this same plot.
Half out of five.
Fida (Singapore) (2011/02/24):
I finished reading this book in 24hrs. Love the writing style and love the journey James had taken me through. I don't have to be an addict to understand what he's going through.
Tikay (USA: CA) (2012/04/22):
This was the most gruesome and horrible book that
I have ever come across. Being of an addictive type myself, I'd really hoped to at some point find that I could identify. I found his writing style rather sickening, at points his talk of vomit and excrement made me almost purge as well. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT TO MY WORST ENEMY. I find it hard to believe so many people seemed to like the story. It's completely dense and utterly depressing, along with being a lie, an obvious farce.I really can't stand liars. He could have so easily told that it was fiction, merely BASED Upon Truth. PATHETIC, in a word.
carla (USA: RI) (2012/07/15):
love love love this book. i could not stop reading it and was sad to see it end. recommended read for sure.
KathleenK (USA: CA) (2018/10/20):
The author had an interesting writing style that suited the subject matter of addiction. I thought it was a bit long, but kept my interest.
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