A Million Little Pieces

At the age of twenty-three, James Frey woke up on a plane to find his four front teeth had been knocked out. His nose was broken and there was a hole through his cheek. He had no idea where the plane was headed or what had happened over the preceding two weeks. He had been an alcoholic for ten years and a crack addict for three. When he checked into a treatment facility shortly thereafter, he was told he could either stop using or die before he reached twenty-four.A Million Little Pieces is Frey’s acclaimed account of his six weeks in rehab; fiercely honest and deeply affecting, it is one of the most graphic and immediate books ever to be written about addiction and recovery.

REVIEW: When I picked up this book I had no clue that it was the book that set off Oprah. All I knew was that it sounded interesting. I will admit that it kept bugging that I had heard the authors name somewhere and so I googled him. Lo and behold he was the guy. This however did not stop me from continuing to read the book.

From the moment that I began to read it, I was hooked. I had to keep reading. However I couldn’t read it all in one sitting it. It took me the longest it has ever taken me to read a book, 3 weeks. The reason being was that the content was so intense and brutal in it’s honesty that I couldn’t believe it was real.

There is a scene where he has to go to the dentist for some major work to be done. Work that they would not only numb you but knock you completely out for. He is awake and without painkillers for the whole time.

I described some of what he was going through to my husband who has seen more than one person detoxing and jonseing for another hit in the jails, and he told me that yep that is how it is.

I am not going to lie to you, this book is not for the faint of heart, and yes there is some controversy over some of the events in the book. However all that aside this is a clear picture of the life of an addict. It isn’t pretty, it is rough and heart wrenching and sick and twisted.

Will I read this book again? Probably not. Will I recommend this book to others? In a heart beat, especially if they know someone that is a drug addict.

I give this book a 5 out of 5.

You can purchase the book here, here and here.