A Million Little Pieces Analysis

Once highly acclaimed, “A Million Little Pieces” had an abrupt fall from grace when it was discovered that author James Frey took liberties with the truth and exaggerated his depiction of his 6 week stay in rehab to battle his lifelong alcohol and cocaine addiction. Any memoir, to some degree, is at the mercy of the writer’s memory. And this writer in question still insists that the majority of the book is true. He is absolutely an addict who went through rehab. He still claims that the chilling account of him undergoing a root canal without anesthesia is true. And despite all of the controversy surrounding this book there is still so much truth and raw human emotion to be found within these pages. Written as more of a stream of conscious
As I walk past her she is careful not to touch me and I am brought back from the happy afterglow of pachyderm memories and I am reminded of what I am. I am an Alcoholic and I am a drug Addict and I am a Criminal. I am missing my front four teeth. I have a hole in my cheek that has been closed with forty-one stitches. I have a broken nose and I have black swollen eyes. I have an Escort because I am a Patient at a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. I am wearing a borrowed jacket because I don’t have one of my own. I am carrying two old yellow tennis balls because I’m not allowed to have an painkillers or anesthesia. I am an Alcoholic. I am a drug Addict. I am a Criminal.” Frey, James. A Million Little Pieces. New York: N.A. Talese/Doubleday, 2003. Print. A word of caution: this book is not for the faint of heart. However, if you aren’t bothered by foul language and graphic descriptions of the terrible things that happen to the body during withdrawal then “A Million Little Pieces” is an excellent read. It is a story of overcoming incredible odds and finding friendship and love in unlikely places. So if you’re looking for a compelling story about someone hitting rock bottom and the painful yet inspiring climb out of the pit this book fits the bill. Even if this book were 100% fiction I would still recommend