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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by James K on December 27, 2005, at 15:58:26
Has anyone else read this? It's one the best books I've read in a long time. Although it's a true story, it reads like a great novel. I was wanting to cry one page, and adrenaline was flowing on the next.
Since it's about rehab and is very intense and full of triggers, it might not be for everyone, but I think I needed it right now.
I'm just happy to read again. I've got shelves full of books I haven't gotten to since this current depression.
James K
Posted by daisym on January 7, 2006, at 0:30:44
In reply to A Million Little Pieces - finished last night, posted by James K on December 27, 2005, at 15:58:26
If you liked that, read "Dry". I liked it a lot too. And I'm currently half way through "A slender Thread" which has a number of triggers but the message is powerful.
Posted by ClearSkies on January 7, 2006, at 8:48:03
In reply to A Million Little Pieces - finished last night, posted by James K on December 27, 2005, at 15:58:26
Yes, I passed this on to a friend of mine I met in an outpatient programme. Neither of us "got" the 12 step thing, and a book like this, where our own painful path is told, really helps.
I also like "My Friend Leonard". It sure is nice to be able to read again....
ClearSkies
Posted by James K on January 10, 2006, at 14:13:36
In reply to A Million Little Pieces - finished last night, posted by James K on December 27, 2005, at 15:58:26
According to the paper, smoking gun says James Frey exaggerated or made up some of the stuff about his criminal record etc. In a funny way that doesn't bother me. I wish he hadn't, or wish he just called it fiction based on his experiences. One of the major differences between his life and mine was the degree he got in trouble. Finding out he may have overplayed that part makes his experience more real.
Lost of recovery substance abusers glorify or play up how bad they were, It's part of the mindset I think. I try to do the opposite, but understatement can be a game to.
Another author I like jt leroy has just been exposed as not a real person. That sucks more, but I still like his/her book Sarah.
James K
Posted by Jakeman on January 13, 2006, at 19:56:58
In reply to James Frey and jt leroy, posted by James K on January 10, 2006, at 14:13:36
I got half-way through the book and put in down. I found Jame's self obsession annoying. As well as his writing style. Each to his own though.
warm regards ~Jake
Posted by James K on January 13, 2006, at 22:04:11
In reply to Re: James Frey and jt leroy, posted by Jakeman on January 13, 2006, at 19:56:58
I'm a fan of weird and intense books in general, and I found his writing style - no paragraphs or punctuation to be more readable than it should have been.
I read it more as a story about a effed up dude and not as an Oprah self help book. I can't believe how big of a story it's become.
I read lots of pulp fiction - horror, hardboiled crime, old science fiction, and other extreme trash. If it interests me I don't hold out for too much literary value. And his obviously exagerated tales held enough truth and similarity to my life to keep me reading, and touch me in some way. If you didn't care for the first half, you wouldn't have believed how silly the second half became.
but as you say - to each his own.
James k
Posted by James K on January 13, 2006, at 22:08:26
In reply to Re: James Frey and jt leroy » Jakeman, posted by James K on January 13, 2006, at 22:04:11
I just reread my initial post, and it's funny how I went from "great novel" to "good trash" in such a short time. Nothing like documentation to keep me honest. oh well
James K
Posted by finelinebob on August 26, 2006, at 14:57:17
In reply to looks like my opinion changed » James K, posted by James K on January 13, 2006, at 22:08:26
> I just reread my initial post, and it's funny how I went from "great novel" to "good trash" in such a short time.
So, what's the difference? ;^)
I'm sure Shakespeare may have had some notions about the "art" in his work, but he wrote to sell tickets. "Good trash" sells tickets (eg, Snakes on a Plane as the #1 movie last week). If it happens to be great art as well, that's bonus.
Speaking of millions of pieces but switching to music, there's a friend of a friend here in NYC who used to call his band "the Million Pieces". Bob Scheffler and the Million Pieces. It was Bob, a percussionist and a bass player. Don't know what happened to the Pieces, but Bob (who's a social worker IRL) has stuff on Amazon and CD Baby, if you're into Indie Urban Folk.
This is the end of the thread.
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