My Friend Leonard

Book Title: My Friend Leonard

Author: James Frey



Length: 368 pages



Brief Description:

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.

Why I recommend it:

This is the sequel to Frey's controversial first offering: A Million Little Pieces. I was extremely gripped by that story, and quickly took this as an opportunity to continue the journey of an addict. I must note that I did not read this as a biography or even depiction of real events, but more of a story. Sometimes sad and often entertaining, this story is a journey of resilience and appreciating even the most basic components of a healthy life.

A job, a good friend and a positive outlook it seems is all James needs to initiate a desire to live. Success kicks in after that, and good things start to happen. But it is the acceptance of the most simple things in life that help James find satisfaction in life. After getting hired for a job, James gets a cake dedicated to himself: "Good work Jim." It's all in the simple things obviously.

His relationship with Leonard is a thread that weaves in and out of the story, often in the most funny circumstances. Every time Leonard visits Chicago, James gets a taste of a glamorous (mobster) life, but also some nuggets of wisdom, fatherly guidance and care from a person that he respects. Surprises later in the story reveal secrets that Leonard never shared, but maybe James never asked? Looking back after the story, there was so much unsaid and unknown between them, which is something we may all feel later in life.

Though much of the story is not real, we can all relate to the desire for self-actualization, the need to celebrate successful changes and the reality that our time is not forever.

Do I have a copy others can borrow: YES