In response to this article.
To the Editor:
Whether or not the author James Frey had a root canal without anesthesia, or spent three days, three months or three years in jail, his depiction of the anguish of addiction and the personal strength required to live drug-free has struck a chord with millions of readers. “A Million Little Pieces” is important because it sensitized people to the human pain of addiction and brought that message into American homes where it had never before penetrated.
Readers from all walks of life found they could relate to this man’s turmoil, and as a result addiction took on a human face. Ultimately, Mr. Frey’s book moved us to empathize with the overwhelming pain and despair of addiction while also holding out hope in recovery – something few authors have been able to accomplish.
Peter Provet
President, Odyssey House
New York, Jan. 12, 2006