James Frey's novel, A Million Little Pieces, is about the author's struggle to overcome his drug addiction and seek his new life purpose. It is a gripping tale of love and loss, but at the center of the novel is Frey's battle against himself.
The novel begins at the very bottom – Frey awakens on a plane with no front teeth and a broken nose. He has no memory of the past two weeks. He has been an alcoholic for 10 years and addicted to crack for three. From there, Frey's journey is never easy, but he always keeps trying.
Throughout the book, he constantly has doubts about his capability for success. Frey almost runs away several times, even though he knows that another binge could cost him his life.
Oprah Winfrey originally chose the memoir as a title for her book club, but revoked the honor when it was discovered that Frey had invented some of the material. Embellishment or not, the basic principles of overcoming obstacles and becoming a better person remain the same, and it continues to be a widely-read work acclaimed for its creative style and uplifting message of hope and recovery.
