Hooray! You have added the first book to your bookshelf. Check it out now!
[−]
  • Search Digit-count Valid ISBN Invalid ISBN Valid Barcode Invalid Barcode
Blog this item

My Friend Leonard

By James Frey

(23)

| Hardcover | 9781573223157

Like My Friend Leonard?
Join aNobii to see if your friends read it, and discover similar books!

Sign up for free

Book Description

Perhaps the most unconventional and literally breathtaking father-son story you'll ever read, My Friend Leonard pulls you immediately and deeply into a relationship as unusual as it is inspiring.

The father figure is Leonard, the high-living, recovering coke addict "West Coast DirecContinue

Perhaps the most unconventional and literally breathtaking father-son story you'll ever read, My Friend Leonard pulls you immediately and deeply into a relationship as unusual as it is inspiring.

The father figure is Leonard, the high-living, recovering coke addict "West Coast Director of a large Italian-American finance firm" (read: mobster) who helped to keep James Frey clean in A Million Little Pieces. The son is, of course, James, damaged perhaps beyond repair by years of crack and alcohol addiction-and by more than a few cruel tricks of fate.

James embarks on his post-rehab existence in Chicago emotionally devastated, broke, and afraid to get close to other people. But then Leonard comes back into his life, and everything changes. Leonard offers his "son" lucrative-if illegal and slightly dangerous-employment. He teaches James to enjoy life, sober, for the first time. He instructs him in the art of "living boldly," pushes him to pursue his passion for writing, and provides a watchful and supportive veil of protection under which James can get his life together. Both Leonard's and James's careers flourish . . . but then Leonard vanishes. When the reasons behind his mysterious absence are revealed, the book opens up in unexpected emotional ways.

My Friend Leonard showcases a brilliant and energetic young writer rising to important new challenges-displaying surprising warmth, humor, and maturity-without losing his intensity. This book proves that one of the most provocative literary voices of his generation is also one of the most emphatically human.

Critics

  • Comes the blind fury

    In his first book, A Million Little Pieces, James Frey told us the shocking story of his rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol. He’d been an alcoholic for ten years and a crack-addict for three. On drugs, he’d gone wild, attacking a cop, blacking out ... (read full critics)

    spectator published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

  • My Friend Leonard By James Frey

    James Frey has never been shy about his towering literary ambition. Since he burst onto the scene in 2003 with A Million Little Pieces, the best-selling, highly charged memoir dissecting his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, Frey has ruffled ... (read full critics)

    bookpage published on Thu, 16 Sep 2010

4 Reviews

Login or Sign Up to write a review

  • Not as good as the "A Million Pieces". Sometimes it's just too much, so unreal. Get a life Frey!

    Is this helpful?

    jelabino said on Jun 13, 2010 | Add your feedback

  • I didn't enjoy it as much as a Hundred Million Pieces. The story lacks the spontaneity and the raw emotions found in James Frey's first book. And the characters were more or less so superficial and not at all endearing.

    Is this helpful?

    jacoutofthebox said on Sep 16, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • I don't know if it's fair to rate this book since I couldn't finish it. It's too depressing and I don't like the way it's writen.

    Is this helpful?

    Angie said on May 17, 2007 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

  • Love it! Love it! Love it! I think this book and Million Little Pieces is a must read! I can't wait to read this book again!!

    Is this helpful?

    Mollaw said on Jan 31, 2007 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Book Details

  • Rating:
    (23)
    • 5 stars
    • 4 stars
    • 3 stars
    • 2 stars
    • 1 star
  • English Books
  • Hardcover 368 Pages
  • ISBN-10: 1573223158
  • ISBN-13: 9781573223157
  • Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover
  • Pub date: Jun 01, 2005
  • Dimensions: 1548 mm x 1097 mm x 194 mm Just how big is that?
  • Also available as: Paperback and eBook
Improve data of this book

Groups with this in collection

Prices Change currency & sellers

ISBN Edition List Sale Seller
9781573223157 Hardcover $24.95 $19.96 bn.com
-- $12.99 ebooks.com
$24.95 -- The Book Depository
Other editions →
+ 1 copy tradable: →
Added to Shelf Added to Wish List

Inline Translation Mode

Left click to navigate, right click to translate.

inline translation guide

or close

Inline translation is not ready for this page yet.

Inline translation mode.

Share this page with your friends.

The viewport has not loaded.