Loved it. A little difficult to get through at times due to the lack of quotation marks, commas, and the constant repetition.

I usually loathe giving one-star reviews; given I (in all likelihood) will never summon up the patience to write a book of my own, it seems just mean-spirited to trash someone's legitimate effort. Let's just say though fhat in reviewing James Frey's faux drug rehab "memoir" A Million Little Pieces, I had no such misgivings in laying waste to this utter waste of paper. The controversy surrounding the "memoir"'s veracity is irrelevant (though, quite honestly, I don't how in the world Oprah's posse fell for Frey's schlock-fest: only the most naïve reader would take Frey's [or "Frey"'s] nonsense at face value); it's just not written very well. It's not credible. It's intended to be serious; it reads like bad comedy. (The whole time I was reading it it conjured up images of the old Gong Show: Imagine, if you will, Frey reading an excerpt in front of a guest panel, which includes, say, Nipsey Russell, Soupy Sales, and Joanne Worley. He gets to the part where he is given a root canal without anesthesia. Nipsey and Joanne get up and dance a tango, mallets in hand, around the gong; Gene Gene, Unknown Comic, and Chuck Barris all waiting off stage, shaking their heads sadly...ENOUGH! screams Soupy....GONG HIM ALREADY!!!!....)

Still and all, bad writing alone won't warrant a one-star review from me...an author will usually have to go the extra mile (by offending me, getting me sick, or rendering me comatose from sheer boredom) to earn the ignominious one star distinction. Though he never quite bored me, Frey's unfettered egotism and penchant for hyperbole did make me urp up repeatedly. His (ahem, *SPOILER*, as if one could spoil what's already been spoilt) "confession" (at the end of the book to make amends) of beating a priest who he felt was making a sexual advance toward him pretty much sealed the one-star deal for me (not only for being entirely off the drug rehab topic, but for James Frey AND "James Frey" being a complete a--hole ["James" for being a homophobe, and James for showing his true colors]). At that point I felt like taking my metaphorical mallet and banging the gong repeatedly, then beating "James" (and, even, James) over the head with it.

Just awful.

Being a recovering drunk myself, I found Frey's book to be thoroughly annoying. People in addiction tend to be self-absorbed people and this is one of the things we're trying to learn not to be when we stop drinking/using. Frey portrays a character who stops using but doesn't really change. He becomes more annoying and self-absorbed with his cliched eastern religious study and trip to the dentist without pain med's which I found totally unbelievable and unhealthy.
The good thing about the book was his portrayal of life for a substance abuser. What I really got out of it was how highly self-absorbed drunks and drug addicts are even when we write crappy books about it.

Not even a fifth through the book , and so much unbelievable horseshit already
He wouldn't have been put on a plane by a dr when he had a face with large laceration through to his mouth covered in blood, vomit and snot
On admission to rehab (and a very expensive one at that) they waited a day before they adjusted his broken nose and stitched up his face
He had 2 root canals without anaesthesia and was fitted with caps on the same dental visit, while strapped down to the chair.
He was vomiting blood and chunks of his stomach daily with apparently no medication for it?
Finished now and changed rating from 1-3
The initial lies that had me shaking my head calmed down and developed into an interesting and more honest account of humanity and addiction. Sad but very relatable

I recently finished the roller-coaster ride that is James Frey's (mostly) autobiographical novel A Million Little Pieces. Surely many of you have seen the controversy over this book which has left Oprah "very disappointed" in author James Frey. She feels taken advantage of by the fact that he seems to have fictionalized several incidents in the book. It is unfortunate that Frey lied (his book would have been just as good with strictly the truth), and I am not condoning lying (am I?), but let's hear Heather's take on it.

This is an astoundingly riveting book which I picked up in an airport bookstore in spite of the Oprah's Book Club sticker on the front. Raw and affecting, Frey's memoir reveals the "self-inflicted apocalypse" that is hard-core drug addiction. It offers unflinching insight into the loathing and despair that comes with it, and the very long, very hard road back from it.

The book opens with Frey waking up on an airplane at age 23 after ten-plus years of intense, regular, hard drug use. "I wake to the drone of an airplane engine and the feeling of something dripping down my chin. I lift my hand to feel my face. My front four teeth are gone, I have a hole in my cheek, my nose is broken and my eyes are swollen nearly shut." Frey has no idea where he is or how he got there. When he lands in Chicago, he is met by his parents who take him to a rehab facility. It's either that or he will end up dying from the copious drug use which has almost exhausted his system; mind-staggering amounts of alcohol ("every day, when I wake up, as much as I can"), cocaine ("every day, as much as I can, lately crack, but in every form that exists"), pills, acid, mushrooms, meth, PCP, glue. When he takes these things, it temporarily quiets what he calls "The Fury," the murderous, screaming fury inside of him.

As Frey works through all the crap in his life and tries to salvage his relationships, who he is, and come to terms with what he has done, his writing reverberates and aches with pain and honest intensity, but I appreciate that he doesn't slide into maudlin prose. It is terse. It is to the point. He is dealing with The Question posed to him on the rehab self-assessment quiz:

"My sins are unpardonable. True or false?
I stare at the question.
My sins are unpardonable.
I stare at the question.
My sins are unpardonable.

I leave it blank."

I thought that the merits of this book outweigh the fact that there are fictionalized incidents. To me, it's like that whole period in his life was so out of control, so destructive, blurred, surreal, so....falling apart, that the point remains even if the details were not exactly as they occurred. The essence of the book, for me, remains the same in light of the current revelations. It's not as if I went and sobbed in a hot shower, curled in a ball, when I heard that not *every* incident in the book happened exactly like he said. It is a still a recommended read on my shelf.

What a (million little) piece(s) of crap! By the time I finished this book I was craving a few stiff drinks, desperately tearing up the house looking for a syringe and spoon. If I had only thrown this one in the Goodwill bin sooner! I have no clue why anyone would think this was worthwhile reading material. I found it to be vapid, self-aggrandizing bullshit from start to finish.

I read this book before the whole Oprah controversy/confrontation, so that really had no impact upon my lowly opinion. This book was so badly written and sophomoric, I never had an inkling of empathy for any of the characters, particularly the author himself. So why am I wasting my time writing this review? Just in hopes that you will decide not to read this shite! Thank you for just saying no to "A Million Little Pieces" - you would have a much better time reading the operating manual for your toaster oven while smoking a rock.

I read this book knowing that parts of the story were embellished, even though it was marketed as a memoir. So with that out of the way, I could read it as a story based on a true story.

This story details the author's rehabilitation at the age of 23 after he had spent over a decade abusing alcohol and drugs. He hits rock bottom and in desperation his family books him into a treatment facility, where he goes on a journey about what it means to be an addict and how one can deal with the addiction.

He rejects the 12 steps, and looks at overcoming addiction in a very enlightening way. I don't know much about addiction, but I found this book very interesting and I enjoyed the gritty details.

The writing style is a bit odd, with no real application of proper grammar, but it's an engaging story that kept me riveted.

Enjoyed this book many years ago, but after its fabrication as a memoir came to light, the author admitted to embellishing and altering facts.

Mi-am permis ca in grădina lecturilor mele, să cresc pe lângă rândurile de flori frumos aranjate şi vreo două tufe de boscheţi altoiţi. Aşadar, vă prezint această poveste spasmatică, plină de agonie frenetică şi presărata din plin cu un limbaj buruienos, destul de piperat: viața într-un centru de dezintoxicare. Romanul e o dublă devitalizare fără anestezie, o realitate ce-ți biciuieşte simțurile şi le surescitează în cel mai crunt mod posibil: droguri, alcool, întuneric, durere, delir şi vedenii, zbucium şi tortură. O carte ce te decuplează de realitate şi te trimite în cruda şi tenebroasa viaţă a unui om ce se luptă cu dependența, cu eul său bolnav şi ahtiat, otravit de vicii şi demoni. E lupta unui om care vrea să iasă din iadul infernal şi duce o luptă crâncenă între instinct şi voinţă. Veți experimenta cum e să te simți fizic, psihic şi emoțional in pielea unui drogat, alcoolist şi infractor. Are 22 de ani, bea de la 10 ani, s-a drogat de la 12 ani...
Dacă doriți să simțiți adrenalina la cote mari, vă recomand această ploaie cu gheață.

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey is that book you read tell friends about then debate if it's real or not and everyone of you are going to have a different opinion.
It starts with a man of 23 on a plane on his way to rehab to start the fight with his horrendous demons (drink and drug and LOTS of them) and his determination to fight them.
I'm along the lines of half and half,I found it to be a emotionally charged read with certain circumstances that were very very graphic also shocking ( oh the details of throwing up

This is one of the most engaging books I have ever read. With every page, you are lead along a ride with a recovering drug addict. Throughout the book, you find yourself wishing for his success. The book starts with James, the protagonist. He is on a plane, and he does not know how he got there. He is very injured; missing four teeth and having a broken nose. He eventually finds out he was put on the plane by two men and a doctor, and that he is flying to Chicago. Arriving, he is placed in a Rehab clinic by his family members. Initially, he is not very fond of the idea. He constantly denies to take part in the "Twelve Step Program", which guarantees success in the Rehab clinic. He finds himself throwing up all the time. The only solitude he finds in the clinic is Lily, who he constantly is struck by her beauty. On numerous occasions, he tries to look himself in the eyes, but fails. It isn't until the start of the Family Program that you start to notice changes in his behavior. He finally succeeds in looking himself in the eyes, which he notices to be "pale green". After seeing the "Bald Man" cry, James realizes that he must get sober. A Million Little Pieces sheds light on the abusive life of an addict and their road to recovery. The book is filled with self-pity and deep regret. It is seemingly impossible to put down the book, because your compelled to find out his ultimate fate. The perspective of a drug addict is apparent in every page, and through James we are able to see the inner battles and suicidal thoughts faced by addicts throughout the world.

A Million Little Pieces, James Frey
A Million Little Pieces, tells the story of a 23-year-old alcoholic and abuser of other drugs and how he copes with rehabilitation in a twelve steps-oriented treatment center. While initially promoted as a memoir, it was later discovered that many of the events described in the book never happened. The book follows Frey through the painful experiences that lead up to his eventual release from the center, including his participation in the clinic's family program with his parents, despite his strong desire not to. Throughout the novel, Frey speaks of the "Fury" he is fighting, which he sees as the cause of his desire to drink alcohol and use other drugs. The "Fury" could be seen as the antagonist of the novel, because he believes that he will not be able to recover until he learns to ignore it or "kill it". Frey meets many interesting people in the clinic, with whom he forms relationships and who play an important role in his life both during and after his time in the clinic.

عنوانها: ه‍زاران‌ ه‍زار ذره‌؛ ی‍ک‌ م‍ی‍ل‍ی‍ون‌ ت‍ک‍ه‌ ک‍وچ‍ک‌؛ یک میلیون ذره کوچک؛ رقص خود خواسته با شیطان؛ نویسنده: ج‍ی‍م‍ز ف‍ری‌ (فرای)؛ ناریخ نخستین خوانش: روز بیستم ماه اکتبر سال 2017 میلادی
عنوان: ه‍زاران‌ ه‍زار ذره‌؛ نویسنده: ج‍ی‍م‍ز ف‍ری‌؛ م‍ت‍رج‍م‌: س‍ه‍ی‍ل‌ س‍م‍ی‌؛ ت‍ه‍ران‌ : ع‍ل‍م‌ ، 1385؛ در 667 ص؛ شابک: 9644056779؛ موضوع: م‍ع‍ت‍ادان‌ - ای‍الات‌ م‍ت‍ح‍ده‌ - م‍ی‍ن‍ه‌س‍وت‍ا - س‍رگ‍ذش‍ت‍ن‍ام‍ه‌ - سده 21 م
عنوان: ی‍ک‌ م‍ی‍ل‍ی‍ون‌ ت‍ک‍ه‌ ک‍وچ‍ک‌؛ نویسنده: ج‍ی‍م‍ز ف‍رای‌؛ ب‍رگ‍ردان‌: ص‍دی‍ق‍ه‌ اب‍راه‍ی‍م‍ی‌ (ف‍خ‍ار)؛ تهران، البرز، 1385؛ در 694 ص؛ شابک: ایکس - 964442509؛
عنوان: یک میلیون ذره کوچک؛ نویسنده: ج‍ی‍م‍ز ف‍رای‌؛ ب‍رگ‍ردان‌: طناز شیرزاد؛ تهران: سالی، 1386؛ در 714 ص؛ شابک: 9789647191418؛
عنوان: رقص خود خواسته با شیطان؛ نویسنده: جیمز فری؛ مترجم: حسینعلی مقیمی؛ تهران: دایره، ‏‫1387؛ در 571 ص؛ شابک: 9789646839878؛‬

داستان زندگی معتادی بیست و سه ساله‌ است، که ده سال به الکل، و سه سال به مواد مخدر، اعتیاد دارد. هدف نویسنده از نگارش کتاب نشان دادن اراده‌ ی شگفت‌ آور انسان است. ماجرای کتاب در هواپیما آغاز می‌شود. صدای موتور هواپیما «جیمز فری» را گیج می‌کند. او نمی‌داند عازم کجاست. حتی دو هفته‌ ی گذشته را به یاد نمی‌آورد. گویی دچار فراموشی شده است. پس از فرود هواپیما، به یک مرکز بازپروری برده می‌شود، به او می‌گویند: «اعتیادت را ترک کن یا قبل از رسیدن به سن بیست و چهارسالگی خواهی مرد». یادمانهای شش هفته اقامت در مرکز بازپروری، هسته‌ ی اصلی داستان را تشکیل می‌هد. و ...؛
روزنامه فرانسوی لیبراسیون گفتگویی را با نویسنده انجام داده است

نخستین رمان شما با عنوان «هزاران هزار قطعه» تحت عنوان یک رمان بیوگرافی و خاطرات منتشر شد اما پس از انتشار مشخص شد که خیلی از رویدادهای آن در زندگی واقعی رخ نداده و ساختگی بوده که همین هم جنجال بسیاری ایجاد کرد و اتهاماتی نیز بر شما وارد شد. تاثیر این اتفاق‌ها روی شما چه بود؟
من در بیست سالگی دلم می‌خواست پرجنجال‌ترین نویسنده معاصر شوم و این اتفاق هم افتاد. افسوس آن‌چه را که در گذشته انجام داده‌ ام نمی‌خورم، و برایم مهم نیست. چیزی که مهم است کیفیت کتاب است و لذتی که خواننده از آن برده. اگر لازم باشد دوباره همان کار را خواهم کرد. در زندگی باید در رویاپردازی بی‌پروا و جسور بود و از هیچ چیز نهراسید. بیشتر افسوس چیزهایی را می‌خورم که در زندگی انجامشان نداده‌ام و شکست هم تاثیری روی من نمی‌گذارد.؛

برای نوشتن به چه چیزی نیاز دارید؟
در واقع خودم هم نمی‌دانم که چطور می‌نویسم. می‌نشینم به موسیقی پانک راک و یا راک گوش می‌دهدم و منتظر می‌شوم تا کلمات خودشان بیایند. کتاب ابتدا در قلب و در وجودم شکل می‌گیرد و وظیفه ی من به عنوان یک نویسنده این است که با توان هرچه بیشتر صورتی بیرونی به آن ببخشم.؛

از کجا به این یقین رسیدید که می‌خواهید نویسنده شوید؟
نوشتن را به صورت آکادمیک و در مدرسه فرا نگرفتم. از روزی که کتاب «مدار راس السرطان» هنری میلر را خواندم فکر نویسنده شدن دیگر رهایم نکرد و به خودم می‌گفتم که مانه، آرتور رمبو و بودلر هم مانند من یک انسان بودند؛ پس چرا من نتوانم.؛

در جایی گفته بودید که افسردگی باعث شد آخرین رمانتان را با عنوان «کاترینا» بنویسید. آیا افسردگی بخشی از کار شماست؟
من فکر می‌کنم بیشتر نویسندگان از مقداری از افسردگی رنج می‌برند. ما واقعا تنها هستیم و کتابهایمان را در ذهن خود داریم. این هم خیلی عالی و هم خیلی ترسناک و نگران‌ کننده است. زیرا عدم قطعیت‌ها و تردیدهای بسیاری وجود دارد. حجم عظیمی از اندوه در من است و این اندوه را دوست می‌دارم.؛

به انتقادها حساس هستید؟
من برای رضایت منتقدان نمی‌نویسم. زندگی و حیات یک کتاب به نظر منتقدان بستگی ندارد؛ بلکه به میزان رضایت و لذتی که خوانندگان از آن می‌برند وابسته است. شخصا برایم مهم نیست اگر از کتابم متنفر باشند. امروز همه می‌ترسند که توسط مطبوعات و شبکه‌ های اجتماعی ترور شوند. من وقتی کتابی می‌نویسم می‌خواهم یا آن را خیلی دوست دشته باشند یا از آن منتفر باشند و حد وسطی را نمی‌خواهم. مشکل اینجاست که اکثر نویسندگان امروزی از ریسک کردن می‌ترسند. به عنوان مثال از میان نویسندگان فرانسوی میشل ولبک را دوست دارم و تحسینش می‌کنم. او بیش از هر فردی اهل خطر کردن است. او درست مثل خود من است. از این لحاظ که آینه‌ ای مقابل جهان گرفته. این به این معنا نیست که هر چه را می‌نویسد دوست می‌دارم؛ نه به استقبال خطر رفتنش را تحسین می‌کنم.؛

موضوع کتاب جدیدتان درباره عشق است و چرا این موضوع را انتخاب کردید؟
چه چیزی قادر است انسان را سریع‌تر از عشق خوشحال کند و این‌که آیا چیزی زیباتر از زیبایی و رنج عشق وجود دارد. شخصا شیفته ی زیبایی و عشق هستم. حتی اگر آن عشق باعث رنج و اندوه در فرد عاشق بشود. تنها چیزی که در زندگی اهمیت دارد تجربه کردن است؛ حتی اگر آن تجربه موجب رنج و آزارت شود.؛

نسخه سینمایی «هزاران هزار قطعه» قرار است به زودی اکران شود؟
بله توسط سم تیلور- جانسون و امسال در امریکا به اکران عمومی درخواهد آمد و تاکنون هم ملانی لوران، کارگردان فرانسوی برای اقتباس سینمایی از رمان «کاترینا» اعلام آمادگی کرده است.؛

پروژه بعدی شما چیست؟
می‌خواهم یک کتاب درباره دنیای کاملا دیوانه‌ واری که در آن زندگی می‌کنیم بنویسم؛ به ویژه اتفاق‌هایی که در امریکا با روی کار آمدن ترامپ افتاد و درباره ی نابودی ثروت، مهاجرت، شبکه‌ های اجتماعی و دروغ های خبری، و فکر می‌کنم کافی باشد. امروزه دیگر نمی‌توان یک گفتگوی سالم و نرمال با کسی داشت. تندروها افسار جامعه را در دست گرفته‌ اند و اگر با آن‌ها موافقت نکنی تو را خواهند شکست. ا. شربیانی