My Friend Leonard

Author: James Frey

Stock information

General Fields

  • : $22.99 AUD
  • : 9780719561177
  • : Hodder & Stoughton
  • : John Murray
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  • : 0.26
  • : February 1900
  • : 197mm X 129mm X 26mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : 22.99
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  • : books

Special Fields

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  • : James Frey
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  • : Paperback
  • : 1
  • :
  • : en
  • : 362.29092
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  • :
  • : 384
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Barcode 9780719561177
9780719561177

Description

Perhaps the most unconventional and literally breathtaking father-son story you'll ever read, My Friend Leonard pulls you immediately and deeply into a relationship as unusual as it is inspiring.   The father figure is Leonard, the high-living, recovering coke addict "West Coast Director of a large Italian-American finance firm" (read: mobster) who helped to keep James Frey clean in A Million Little Pieces. The son is, of course, James, damaged perhaps beyond repair by years of crack and alcohol addiction-and by more than a few cruel tricks of fate.   James embarks on his post-rehab existence in Chicago emotionally devastated, broke, and afraid to get close to other people. But then Leonard comes back into his life, and everything changes. Leonard offers his "son" lucrative--if illegal and slightly dangerous--employment. He teaches James to enjoy life, sober, for the first time. He instructs him in the art of "living boldly," pushes him to pursue his passion for writing, and provides a watchful and supportive veil of protection under which James can get his life together. Both Leonard's and James's careers flourish...but then Leonard vanishes. When the reasons behind his mysterious absence are revealed, the book opens up in unexpected emotional ways.   My Friend Leonard showcases a brilliant and energetic young writer rising to important new challenges--displaying surprising warmth, humor, and maturity--without losing his intensity. This book proves that one of the most provocative literary voices of his generation is also one of the most emphatically human.

Promotion info

My Friend Leonard is the story of an extraordinary friendship formed in the most unlikely circumstances

Reviews

'Vivid, splashy and mesmerising' -- Independent 'Dangerously addictive' -- Tatler 'Picassos and promise, racketeering and respect ! a stark and moving tribute to a complicated but loyal goodfella' -- Independent on Sunday 'An extraordinary tale of life after prison with a dangerous, delightful friend' -- Big Issue 'He takes you inside his world of pain, and it's like a small, brightly lit cell ... Life, Frey tells us, is pretty disturbing and weird when you're out of your head. But try living it sober' -- The Spectator 'When a book proves difficult to put down, you know you're on to a good thing' -- Irish News 'Beautiful, sad, potent, irresistible' -- Elle The idea of reading about the road to recovery of someone whose lifestyle I could neither condone nor understand didn't inspire me at all. WRONG!!! Within two pages all prejudice was forgotten and I immediately felt an empathy with the main character.' -- Jane Eyre, Leeds

Author description

James Frey is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He is married and lives in New York.