My son MY SON! (My Friend Leonard - James Frey)

Member Name: Mezamoo

Product:	My Friend Leonard - James Frey
Date:	17/02/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good read if you've got an interest in addiction

Disadvantages: writing style can be frustrating at times

As the sequel to "A million little pieces" I was immensely looking forward to reading this book, although I must be honest and say I came away at the end feeling a little disappointed.

James is a recovering addict and meets Leonard in the centre which he goes to for rehab and a friendship is formed. Leonard gives him a card with 5 different names and numbers as a way of contacting him when James he is released from a spell in prison. He does exactly that and Leonard takes James on as the son he never had. He is there to support him when his girlfriend (a passionate desperate love affair formed in treatment) kills herself, and he tries to be there for James as he attempts to rebuild his life; he offers him work and James accepts. Leonards 'business activities' aren't exactly legal and James soon realises that he needs to finance his own way through life, he wants to become a writer. The book is very much based on this adventure while trying to stay clean and his and Leonards relationship, although remains strong (based in James level of emotional reliance upon him) is somewhat distant. The ending of the book wasn't expected and was rather emotional, but at the same time I felt it was lucking something but unsure what exactly.

James writing style isn't exactly standard, it's very much a flow of conscious thought rather than formal or traditional paragraph, sentence, chapter construction, and this style of writing can be somewhat frustrating at times.

Thankfully I paid 99p for this book from The Works, I'm glad I didn't pay £12.99 RRP.

His first book was much more of an addictive read, but with all these 'memoir' type books I did take both of them with a pinch of salt, I doubt that the facts as presented aren't slightly misrepresentative of the truth. Reading this book is an enjoyable way to pass the time, and would suggest reading "A million little pieces" before attempting this one, they very much go together rather than this being a stand alone book.

Summary: A book to pass the time, but that's all