Bright Shiny Morning
by James Frey
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Book Reviews of Bright Shiny Morning
Book Review: Brilliant and Sad
Summary: 4 Stars
As someone who has called LA home for more than 15 years now (time flies), I have to say that James Frey's newest tome really manages to hit the nail on the head about what draws people to Los Angeles, and what manages to alienate its residents all from one another.
From character to character, Frey has created a dramatis personae that incredibly endears you to them but manages to push you away from them, as well.
While its size is overwhelming at first, the read is fiercely fast...just when you get settled into a storyline and predict where it's going, you're accosted with a new name, a new face, a new dilemma.
You won't love it -- as any piece of art, it will have its detractors.
But it will stay with you -- and it situates Los Angeles as a place more than just filled with pixie dust, the shallow and [...] implants.
Unlike the faux preaching of 2006's CRASH, BRIGHT SHINY MORNING has something that will stay with you. It feels more honest, less cliched and the air of desperation that lives within so many of the characters will be sadly relatable to many -- even those not living in the City of Angels.
Book Review: Aggrivating, Annoying, & Entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
James Frey knows how to write a good novel. He also knows how to play with his readers emotions. The stories that run through his latest book are, if nothing else, entertaining. Some more than others. Chapters devoted to names are begging you to skip them and I can almost picture James Frey sitting somewhere in LA laughing at the thought of you silently deliberating and growing more and more annoyed and/or stressed about skipping pages. He knows you won't want to skip them. He knows you're afraid you'll miss something if you don't read every single name. For the love of god! Skip them. You won't miss anything and you'll save yourself some time. I read them. You will gain nothing. With that being said, I rather enjoyed the stories collected in this book. His writing style is smooth and his voice is perfect. In other words, he speaks to you in plain English, he never tries to speak above you, and his storytelling is very conversational. Another skill James Frey has is his ability to switch to another storyline just when you're getting into the current one. You [...]. I love your book. I'd recommend it.Book Review: who needs proper grammer?
Summary: 5 Stars
Since when did we start to believe that we must write with correct punctuation to be recognized as an amazing author!? Furthermore, a large vocabulary does not make you an award winning novelist! Similar to artists, some of the worlds most famous paintings look like they may have been created by a first grader! Sometimes brilliance may come in the abstract.
A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard are among my all time favorite books. Frey writes from his heart, his novels speak in feelings. They have made me laugh, they have made me cry, they have made me angry. I am moved, and thus a little bit changed.
In regard to Bright Shiny Morning, I will admit I did skip over some of the LA "fun facts" it could have done without...but i am still giving this book 5 stars. As cliche as "chasing a dream and realizing it isnt easy" is....it is a reality that we all face. This is life. We can all relate to this. I cant help but feel as if the people who gave this book bad reviews have a little black heart and have had their world handed to them on a silver spoon.
Book Review: James Frey is a master storyteller
Summary: 5 Stars
I want to preface this review by saying that I am one of those people who couldn't care less if James Frey or his publishers (or whomever) called his first book, A Million Little Pieces, a memoir. The fact that is was a great piece of literature -- terrific story, great writing, and a truly compelling read -- is all that should matter at the end of the day. His next book, My Friend Leonard, was at least as good, if not better, and more than proved that James Frey was not a one-hit-wonder.
With that being said, I now want to gush about Bright Shiny Morning. No, it's not the least bit uplifting and it covers dark topics that many of us wish we could ignore. BUT...but the story is so well-told that you won't be able to put the book down...you will want to know what happens to each character, and why. You will be so instantly engrossed that even the unbelievably breathtaking views of the Caribbean will not cause you to lift your head up from the pages of this book. At least that was my experience.
READ IT! Then share with others. You won't be sorry.
Book Review: Great Book Love his Unique Writing Style
Summary: 4 Stars
Read the book, if you like a little bit quirky, like I do, you'll LOVE IT.
I loved James Frey since Million Little Pieces. Was a little disappointed about the whole scandal. Mainly because my husband and I had debated whether it was true before it all "Came Out" Regardless, it was a GREAT book. If you have a problem with him, don't read his book, SIMPLE.
Anyway back to the book at hand.
Loved how it had a bunch of stories together. You kept wondering when the characters were going to come back for a visit. I'm not going to go into summarizing the whole book because I hate to read summaries before I actually read a book. I think it gives to much away. The only thing I didn't LOVE were the asides about LA. However, I understand that Frey was trying to make LA the main character, which he suceeded in doing. It's very quick read because of his writing style. I just LOOOVE the way he writes. It's exactly like someone talks. It's so unique and refreshing. Give the book a try you won't be disappointed.