JAMES FREY'S autobiographical account of his time in a Minnesota rehabilitation clinic marks the launch of a bold and talented literary voice.
A Million Little Pieces is a compelling book that shows immense depth and is so deep and raw it could easily be a work of fiction.
But this account of a 23-year-old alcoholic and drug addict facing death gains power from the fact that it is all too true.
From the outset the words rise from the pages and become real. Written in the present tense, Frey analyses his feelings in a practical, matter-of-fact way.
His train of thought accepts his emotions and memories as they occur and he deals with them swiftly and strongly.
His words are succinct and disturbing in their honesty and frankness.
This account of a young man's struggle to overcome addiction is horrific yet compelling.
As the title suggests, Frey's life was fractured into a million pieces, yet he managed to rebuild it and deal with his addictions.
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey is published in paperback by John Murray, priced £7.99.
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