Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

I really enjoyed it but this upsets me:

James Frey

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

i'm reading it now- and i find it hard to put down.....its so real- and while I'm a little disappointed that some of its made up, its still an interesting story

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

I read it it was a really good book-you have to read the follow up book which is My Friend Leonard-that's a quick read but a really great book as well

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

He's on Oprah today admitting that he lied.

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

I've read it as well as My Friend Leonard and I think I enjoyed the latter better!

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

I'm in the middle of it, don't know what to believe...

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

Yeah Oprah is really ripping him a new one.

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

I just watched Oprah. She was obviously angry and embarassed, and I think it was big of her to admit her mistake. What I did not like was that she made it seem all about her, and it's not. What disappoints me about the whole controversy is that James Frey lied. I read and enjoyed 'A Million Little Pieces' and 'My Friend Leonard' but I think they should have been promoted as 'based on the truth.' His truth in overcoming addiction is powerful enough. The fact that he previously went on Oprah and did a whole series of PR across the country promoting lies as the truth feels dishonest. He should have been more truthful. I have to say that his lies do hurt my interpertation of the story. If I had read it as based on truth, I would not feel this way. This whole thing goes to show how important the truth is. If you lie, it always come back to bite you.

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

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Posted by DMcK

I just watched Oprah. She was obviously angry and embarassed, and I think it was big of her to admit her mistake. What I did not like was that she made it seem all about her, and it's not. What disappoints me about the whole controversy is that James Frey lied. I read and enjoyed 'A Million Little Pieces' and 'My Friend Leonard' but I think they should have been promoted as 'based on the truth.' His truth in overcoming addiction is powerful enough. The fact that he previously went on Oprah and did a whole series of PR across the country promoting lies as the truth feels dishonest. He should have been more truthful. I have to say that his lies do hurt my interpertation of the story. If I had read it as based on truth, I would not feel this way. This whole thing goes to show how important the truth is. If you lie, it always come back to bite you.

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Very well put- especially for someone in recovery who should be honest with himself.

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

I read it a few months ago and it was probably the best book I ever read and I read a lot. Finding out that he lied really upset me. I felt betrayed because you really begin to care about him. I watched Oprah today and I wanted to smack her. She was right about what she said about him but she was just so mean and only cared about how this whole ordeal made her look.

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

I think it is poop, but I tried to look at it from his point of view today...

He writes this book, tries to sell it as a novel, and gets rejected by the publisher. He changes it to a memoir, and *bam* it not only gets published, but it becomes a best seller. At that point, he starts to go along with it, and gets carried along for the BIG ride - after all, the money is pouring in. What do you say at that point?

I do believe what he did was wrong, but he wrote an exaggerated version of his story. Havn't many of us done that in our journals at some point? Would you sell your souped-up-life story for alot of money?

Where I agree with you guys is that by promoting himself across the country to tell his story he really rubbed the lie in and betrayted alot of people. I suppose the money had corrupted things by them!

I think the publishers really need to be held accountable for the process that publishes many 'memoirs.'

Either way, any press is good press - his book is still selling like crazy on amazon.com. Who knows if people will buy his other books though...


ETA: Its fair for me to admit I didn't read the book - I have just heard alot about it. If I had emotionally invested myself in this story I might be singing a different tune...

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

When I first heard all the hoopla, I didn't get the big deal but after the truth has come out, I don't think you can dismiss Frey's lies. Had they been a few embellishments, I would agree with you but it was deeper than that. There is a big difference between an embellishment for drama or lack of memory and what he did. He wrote lies and went around saying they were truth. That is unethical and wrong. Granted, his story is still inspiring and the shame of this whole thing is that the truth would have been as inspiring and moving.

Re: Anyone read 'A Million Little Pieces'

Ive read it and saw him on Oprah. I was upset because there were parts of the book I had to put it down, because I got so upset. The dentist scene in general I was cringing so much I had to put it down... and the nail scene, I almost threw up. Its very sad it isnt true!!