unspun

Be it all true or not, I really enjoyed this book. I am glad that I didn't hear all this controversy <---- hope thats right, I can't spell, sorry.... till after I finished reading it. I would have had a clouded mind and not have been able to read it without pre-judgements of the acctual truth to the whole story. I can completely understand that not everything is complete truth... word for word conversations, but there were NO quote marks in the first place, the Dentist incident, embellished or not, it made me cringe and I felt the pain, electric pain.... Over all, Great Book... fiction, non fiction? who am I to say, If I wrote an autobiography, I'm sure that it wouldn't be complete truth because my mind has distorted my past life sooo much that I'm still in the process of sorting out what was real and what was imagined

Dan

A fine publication.

Five

I love it. Makes my stomach feel comfortable while reading it.

dakota110705

This is only my opinion. I read the book and thought it was great. As a matter of fact, I quit drinking the day before I started reading it, and haven't had a drop since. The main reason I liked it so much is because I could relate to the way Frey describes many of his emotions and feelings...and even situations. I guess if it's not all true...I don't wanna know. Even if it's not...it still could've been. I just picked up MFL and can't wait to read it.

quercusalba

Well... I'm going to weigh in against James Frey... I did read his book, and I didn't like it. I didn't like the author's tone, his writing style, or, quite honestly, who he seemed to be as the person behind the words.

If the book helped people, that's great - I'm never one to criticize what works for people.

If you haven't seen it already, here's a link giving the "other side" of the story - http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...amesfrey1.html

That's all I'm going to say.

NoMoBeer

I have a question...
I know the book starts out with this dude on a plane, full mouth of summer teeth (summer missin', summer not ), bleeding from his mouth...

My question -- can you really board a plane in that condition?

quercusalba

Good point, Ken. And no, you cannot... For example, my coworker's wife was turned away from a flight home recently because she had stomach issues.

michaelj

I have read the book and I was sceptical about the authenticity of the author's account. As Friend of Bill says he remembers converations word for word from years ago ( I can't remember from this morning) and I had the impression that the work was really one of fiction.
That said, however, there are lessons in the book about the addictive power of alcohol and drugs and I am not sorry that I read it as it gave me a quite different perspective on addiction to my own.
Michael

Cathy31

I think it's similar to Dry by Augusten Burroughs, with poetic license, but very powerful. I really liked My Friend Leonard also by Frey, probably even moreso.

Done_With_It

51Anna I loved that!!!!!!! Funny how everyone is so judgemental of the poor guy,
You'd think they knew him and actually walked in his very shoes........

I'm sure I'd get the same thing if I dared to write my story. All these threads
and judgements are exactly why I would never write about my life and all
the crazy things I've experienced.

cleaninghouse

********** DONE WITH IT }}}}}

I wanted to give you this;



I just LOVE FUDGE!!

quercusalba

I don't feel that I was being judgmental, really - just expressing an alternate opinion. Like I said, I am glad if his words helped people.

Done_With_It

cleaninghouse

OOOOHHHHH THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

I just LOVE CHOCOLATE COVERED BUNNY RABBITS! and
EASTER is just around the corner, isn't it!!!!!!

shelby6205

I have read the book and the sequel titled "My Friend Leonard . I enjoyed both very much . It never crossed my mind that it could be made up . He states that he had help from people when he was at rehab to remember events to write such a book . As far as AA , he is sober today . Something is obviously working for him .

NoMoBeer

Poor he's not....

Done_With_It

Quote:

Poor he's not....

LOL!!!!




Good one!

FriendofBill

Yes I did forget about him cleaning toilets. I do not think, tho, that would occupy much more time to fill in a day.

I have been in re-hab, actually worked in one. The day is filled with a structured scheduled, with 12 step meetings, group sessions, individual sessions, recreational therapy, family sessions...it actually is supposed to be that way, no time for the mind to obsess andno time for the body to act out.

He never once mentioned attending a 12 step group in treatment, tho stated that the therpists there only believed in 12 step recovery.
Seems odd?

Anna

That was the whole point of the story. He was offered 12 step help at every turn and refused adamantly to be involved with it. He flatly refused. He wanted to find his own way and he did. Whether or not the details of his book are accurate matters little to me. He is in recovery now and how he did it is of interest to me.

FriendofBill

Im not so sure I would describe him as being in recovery myself. Perhaps dry, or abstinent.

Recovery to me is the abstinence of chemicals as well as a program of behavioral and spritual maintenance.

Does anyone know if he shares how he stays sober? Or if he belongs with any form of program of recovery?