Tom Lynch

Frey's debut memoir, 2003's "A Million Little Pieces," a stunning, midnight-dark dive into a young man's galaxy of drug addiction, worked with the perverse nausea of even the most reviling Palahniuk. Of course, Frey's story was true. The dope, the crime, the booze, the rehab--every last word clinging to the reader like a first-timer's coke-hangover--all told through missing teeth that leads to surgery without anesthetic. While reading it, you feel like dying, but when finished, you've never wanted to live more in your life. Frey continues his tale with "My Friend Leonard," a Vegas mobster Frey cuddled during his stint in rehab that looks after him in the after-the-party-life as an angel, as the author deals with grief, sobriety and the urge to go back to the life of the obscene. If "A Million Little Pieces," which won Amazon.com's Best Book of 2003, attracted readers because of its truth in dusk, "My Friend Leonard" will find friends who search for hope.

James Frey discusses "My Friend Leonard" on June 24 at Borders Bookstore, 2817 North Clark, (773)935-3909, at 7:30pm. Free.

(2005-06-24)

Also by Tom Lynch

Rock Tip of the Week
Sleater-Kinney once again proves its status as one the best, if not the best, rock bands in America
(2005-06-15)

Tip of the Week
Audience members join local rock `n' roll writers as they construct their own mix tapes
(2005-06-15)

No more lies
Stephen Malkmus has, in his own way, maintained a rock-icon status without stumbling into rock-star clichés
(2005-06-09)

Short Runs
This week's limited screenings
(2005-06-09)

Radioactive Men
(2005-05-31)

Tip of the Week
(2005-05-24)

Tip of the Week
(2005-05-17)

Author Visit
(2005-05-17)

Tip of the Week
(2005-05-10)

Tip of the Week
(2005-05-10)

Dark Secrets
(2005-05-10)

Influential Illicitness
(2005-05-10)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment