Read: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
Stars: Four
Drinking: Pinot Noir, Woodbridge (I've been inspired by Good Books and Good Wine)
The thing about A Million Little Pieces is that it is a fabulous, well written book. I cannot fathom why Frey would originally publish it as a memoir when it easilywould have been popular if originally published as the fiction it is. I can only assume that Frey knew that it would be exposed as an exaggeration and would generate more publicity that way.
Truthfully, I found A Million Little Pieces to be well-written. Frey uses description well, to the point that the reader can really "see" what he is feeling. That is a masterful skill that even the best writers do not always capture. He has a lovely style. It's just a shame he used it in a book of scandal. Frey will have trouble being taken seriously as a writer now.
Unfortunately, Frey's tone is rather whiney throughout. He blames others for his problems - drug addiction most notably - rather than taking responsibility for his life and his mistakes. This is a big part of the issues with the book that led him to release it as a memoir, in my opinion. He is self-centered and unable to recognize his own weaknesses - signs of immaturity. Despite his writing abilities, A Million Little Pieces ultimately disappoints, just like Frey's revelation that the story is exaggerated fiction, not a memoir.
30 Days of Books Challenge
Day 07 - A book that’s hard to read
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