Controversial 2003 Memoir Named a ‘Best Book of the 21st Century’ By Goodreads
The scandal caused the author to be dropped by his literary manager and lose a 7-figure two-book deal.
American author and memoirist James Frey burst onto the literary scene in 2003 with his memoir titled A Million Little Pieces. The book is marketed as a story of addiction, crime, mental health, rehab, and eventual sobriety, detailing Frey’s recovery at 23 from drug addiction and alcoholism. The memoir goes through Frey’s time in a facility and a 12-step program, and the different characters he meets on his journey of recovery.
Upon its publication in April of 2003, A Million Little Pieces was selected to be a part of Oprah’s Book Club, skyrocketing sales. The memoir shot to the number-one paperback non-fiction book slot on Amazon, and it topped The New York Times Best Seller list for fifteen straight weeks at the time.
As of 2026, the book is still immensely popular among readers, with Goodreads ranking it as one of the “Best Books of the 21st Century.”