Seems like it should be called a Million Little Lies.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0104061jamesfrey1.html

I'm going to give details, so if you haven't read the book STOP HERE.

The writing style was somewhat annoying, following conversations was a little difficult at times. And the lack of punctuation, grammar, use of capital letters and sentence structure drove me a bit batty at times.

What I didn’t know, or really hadn’t thought about was the feeding frenzy my ex would go on. When we would go out to breakfast on the comedown mornings, usually at a BobEvans or some other breakfast joint. He would order 3 or 4 of the big breakfasts that would include a little bit of everything. I always thought that it was because he wasn’t eating when he was out cracking. I’m sure that contributed to some of it, but if what the author says is true, it’s a need that has to be refueled.

Without it being said the rehab he was at was obviously The Hazelden Foundation, one of the best in the world. What shocked me was that they only have a 17% success rate. Makes me wonder what the success rate is for the average rehab, since that is something most will not give out.

What pissed me off, probably because it still strikes a really raw nerve with me, is that a rehab romance was allowed to happen, and once it was revealed, it was allowed to continue to go on. That’s one of the reasons why I believe rehabs should never be co-ed. You take a couple of people that are fighting for their lives, they are afraid of facing life without drugs, have so many things in common, and they hook up. Which in turn, takes their focus off of recovery. Rehab romances are doomed to fail, and both partners relapse.

I think his own personal usage was exaggerated, and I felt he also romanticized it somewhat. And, usually once they find the pipe, no other drug compares, and they stick with the pipe and use alcohol to come down. Most full-fledged, hardcore, down in the gutter crack addicts don’t like the high from opiates.

I also was annoyed with his total dismissal of addiction being a disease. I am somewhat not 100% convinced that there is an addictive gene. But, I do believe environment plays more of a part than anything. I also believe that once the switch is flipped, and the pleasure center of the brain is altered, that at this point it does become a disease of the brain. The other thing that annoyed me was his total disregard to the belief of the 12 Steps and the AA way. Recovery is a whole lot more than just not using.

The fact that most of the main players end up dead or institutionalized unfortunately rings true. That all that happened in the short amount of time from when this supposedly happened to when the book was published, well I have my doubts on that. And, if Mr.Frey was as advanced in his addiction as he claims, and is staying sober on the my way plan. I think he should have entitled the book A One In A Million.

Overall, I would recommend the book, it was an interesting read. But, in my opinion it was more of a fiction novel based on some real life experiences.

Well I am shocked that it was all a hoax, but I will say it was one of the best books I have read in a very long time. And still in all, people could really relate to the characters, and thats what it is in a book anyway, characters.

Any of you that get CTV news (Canada), it will be covered tonight at 11 EST (Jan 11)
Here is a link to their coverage of it on that channel: Accuracy of James Frey's drug memoir questioned (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060111/frey_larryking_060111/20060111?hub=Entertainment)

It was on CNN on Larry King's show here in the states, I TIVO'd it and will watch it tomorrow. One thing I know he said is that he is contracted to write two more books, but with a different publisher.

Random House, the publisher of A Million Little Pieces is offering a full refund on the book. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10807257/

wow, they reported here tonight that Random house is standing by the authenticy (sp) of the book. Well they do say we are a bit behind up here in the news department.:rolleyes:

Another article that lends another view of the disgrace,,,,worth reading:

"If you're an addict whose life has been moved by this story and you feel that what James went through was able to - to help you hold on a little bit longer, and you connected to that, that is real. That is real. And it's - it's irrelevant discussing, you know, what - what happened or did not happen to the police."

Telling the truth is the most relevant thing for addicts. In recovery step number 10 addicts and alcoholics pledge that they have "Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it."

Chicago Defender by Margaret Kimberley
January 20, 2006
Read whole article (http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/commentary.cfm?ArticleID=3707)

If you want to read a book written with honesty by an addict read Christiane F. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiane_F.)
This was also made into a movie which is worth watching if you can get your hands on it. David Bowie did the soundtrack. Great movie but even better book.

i have to say that it was one of the best stories i have ever read in my life, my fiance who is incarcerated said it describes most of his addiction to a "T". But, as i was reading it i couldnt believe that some one could survive this. to think that he would make up things and exaggerate about them is shocking. to say that this is my story and this really happend to me is strong. especially when it is dealing with things as severe as drug and alcohol addiction.

Oprah Tears into Frey over "Pieces"

Joining the chorus of a million big skeptics,Oprah Winfrey has withdrawn her support for embattled memoirist James Frey.

Winfrey confronted the A Million Little Pieces author during a live taping of her show on Thursday, stating that she was "really embarrassed" by her initial decision to stand up for him in the face of allegations that he fabricated large chunks of his book.


"It is difficult for me to talk to you because I feel duped. I really feel duped," Winfrey said to Frey.

Full article here http://news.yahoo.com/s/eo/20060127/en_celeb_eo/18238

I have about 20 pages left and it is one of the best books I have ever read. I don't care if he lied about his troubles with the law. To me it is irrelevant to his addiction.

I saw the show when Oprah talked to him about his book. I still want to buy the book and read it and see if it helps give me some understanding about addiction and some understanding of what my fiancee went through with his addiction he cannot really explain it. So I hope the book helps. I just think when published they shouldn't have put it as a memoir since some of the stuff was not true. But it does sound like a good book.

I have no clue if the book was all lies or not!!!
I can say, that it was one of the best books I have read...

I also can say, that I can relate to the story and that the things that he wrote about are true to what an addict is and how addiction effects the people they love ...

I have lived with an addict and I can say this if the book was a fake then he faked it to the life that they live............

It had a great impact on myself and my loved ones that read the book..

much love and blessings
Tina

I never, ever in my life read an entire book! Even in school...I read sentences, mabey chapters here and there to complete homework. Sometimes had a family member read the book for me...or rent me the movie! :D Bad...I know! Reading was never my thang!

I read this book...after talk here and after someone I knew read it and I couldn't put it down! I ran out panicking because it was almost done, I needed 'My Friend Leonard', I needed it now! :D

I haven't paid much attention to all the 'lies' being spoken of, but I have had some thoughts on it without total knowledge. I tried to stay away from it since I was near the end of the book when it was being slung around.

Each and everyone of us have had things happen in our own lives...it might have been the most horrible thing that could ever happen to us personally and we share with another. Whether they say it outloud, or just think to theirselfs....often times others think 'no big deal, I've had worse happen'. While he may have very well fabracated things...in his eyes, his life...maybe things were that bad to him. Mabey I'm just delusional, :D

Either way...I thought it was a great read and I'm passing it on to a friend.

I read the book and also read My Friend Leonard. Both were very, very good. The writing style is different than anything I have every read...unique I should say. Both books delivered some insight that I had never thought of before and I have been with an addict for 19 years. I discussed the book with my husband, and one of the things....the defiance of AA....and he understood some of the thinking on that. Was I upset that he may have inflated some things? No. The book still touched me and my life.I think that is all that matters. I was however upset with how Oprah treated James Frey. Just my opinion. All in all, both books were great and I couldn't put either one down until I finished and conversations with others about what I was reading opened doors to talk with them about addiction. I was amazed at how many people are touched by drug addiction even where I work! So his book accomplished alot of good from where I sit.:thumbsup: