Has anyone read James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces", and/or intend on reading his newest book, "My Friend Leonard"?

I was blown away by his first book - it illustrated better than anything I've ever read how deep a person can go when they hit bottom, not to mention all the work it took for him to recover from his own crazy life and his addiction. Loved his writing style, too - very experimental and quirky but at the same time very spare and almost Hemingway-esque in places.

I just found out last weekend that his new book's out...I ordered a copy for cheap and I can't wait to dig into it. Meanwhile, I have to get another copy of his first book. It's one of those that I never have on my bookshelf because I'm always giving my copy away. Definitely one of my faves from recent years.

Anyone else into this writer?

I was competely amazed by "A Million little Pieces", in my opinion, a real masterpiece. And you put the rights words and feelings about it Anx. I mean, it wasn't the first book treating about drugs, but probably the one with the strongest emotions. I was addicted to cocaine and i felt almost some of his roamings thru darkness. A must have.

Like you, i was expected his book about his friend Leonard. Good to hear it's finally out

i don't remember leonard from the first book...i mainly remember the graphic stuff (the dentist scene...ugh...) and the parts about him studying taoism. i need to read that book again.

i've never dealt with addiction personally, but i have several friends who have, including a couple of friends who i tried to help - i thought i'd heard some pretty intense stories about how deep people could get, but this book really takes it to another level. and to think it's all true. sheesh.

SUCH a powerful book, though. it just shows exactly how strong will and the mind can be.

Anxiety said:

Damn, that scene was a highlight of horror...

And yes, you can sometimes be so down and deep with cocaine. But in his book, when he wrote his - true - story, he was always borderline or close to something i was lucky to never know. I think this guy explored some parts of his fears like nobody.