An excellent follow up

I listened to this on Audio via Audible rather than actually read it and enjoyed it enormously.

I had read his first book “ A Million Little Pieces” a number of years ago and concerns that it would be problematic to leave such a long gap before beginning the follow up, proved to be unfounded.

I had also heard via a number of sources that Mr. Frey had been accused of being somewhat economical with the truth when it came to some of the details of his story. As far as I’m concerned it didn’t make the slightest bit of difference, he unfolds a fascinating account and which of us are not guilty of sometimes embellishing the truth here and there in pursuit of adding drama, excitement and pathos to enhance the storytelling.

The story picks up as James is about released from prison and join the love of his life, Lilly, who he met in rehab and is residing in a halfway house. Disaster and emotional trauma strike on the day of his release threatening to send him headlong back into his old destructive and potentially fatal addictions. Fortunately he is able to make contact with his old friend, “heart of gold” mafia /businessman from his rehab days, Leonard and shady sidekick Snapper, in the nick of time.

What follows is the charting of James’ journey to clean up his life and act, learn how to leave his depression and misery behind and look toward a future without addictions. All helped along with the copious funding, homespun wisdom and excessive appetites of his not always above board and legal mentor. It’s really pretty uplifting in its way. It’s also very funny in parts as well as moving.

James Frey has a very particular style, plenty of repetition of emotional emphasis, which is unusual, but packs a punch and often left me feeling as drained as he did! But the pace is fast and races along carrying you with it on a worthwhile and enjoyable journey from darkness into the light.

Top marks also for the narration, which handled the age difference between James and Leonard convincingly and believably throughout.

Like many of my favourite reads, the close proximity of some tissues may well be advised!

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Leonard is the best thing about Frey

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's an interesting story, Leonard is a charmer. The sort of person you would want to write about, if he was ever in your life. It's an emotional story, at times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Friend Leonard?

Don't want to spoil it by revealing too much. When James learns to fly the spacecraft is a special moment.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The voice for Snapper was terrible. He gets introduced as being more like a bear than a man, I expected a real burly voice. The narrator gave him a wise-guy voice, something you'd associate to Joe Pesci. I was expecting James Gandolfini

Everyone else was alright. It must be said this narrator was far better at James' voice than the person who did A Million Little Pieces

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Everyone needs a Leonard

Any additional comments?

Definitely worth listening to. Best to listen to A Million Little Pieces first but it's not essential.

One surprising thing though - I've come to the conclusion I really don't like James Frey. I think he's a c0ck actually.

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Not as good as the first book, but not a disappointment

Adjusting to ‘normal life’ isn’t quite as interesting as the immediate withdrawal from crack and alcohol addiction, but this sequel to ‘A million little pieces’ is still an good book. Frey has a knack for making the mundane sound interesting. His unique writing style - to use short, often one-word sentences and lots of repetition - is better suited to the delirium of the first book rather than the more boring experiences of getting a new job and a new life, but it still works. The narration is excellent.

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Fantastic Book

Took a while for me to get into it but I'm so happy I persevered. Really heartfelt.

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great!

loved it
much better narration than a million little pieces. great story - heartbreaking and fantastic.

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Brillaint

What a book, what a story, James Frey's story took me to another level of thought. His story may or may not be wholly true, but that is simply an artful contrivance to bring home the truth of the basement story.

The real truth lies between the lines; it lies in the bonds of friendship; it lies in the depth (or lack of depth) in the human spirit; it lies in the self knowledge and honesty which can be nurtured if you trust yourself about yourself.

Even if 10% of this is true then James Frey is a role model for today's "lost" people

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Excellent

Where does My Friend Leonard rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks near the top.

What did you like best about this story?

It would certainly be good to have Leonard as a friend rather than an enemy. But not actually certain if I'd want it in real life.

What does Andy Paris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

A great accent that suited the book just right.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - one to savour.
But it would work if you did.

Any additional comments?

Superbly written and narrated with a style to suit the text to a 't'.

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Moving and affirming

Perfectly ties up the ends of million pieces and teaches us to see the good in loss

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