Tons of talent, but somebody needs to have the balls to edit him

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	• Bright Shiny Morning James Frey Harper, 2008 - 512 pages average customer review:based on 112 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Tons of talent, but somebody needs to have the balls to edit him

I suspect that with Frey's level of notoriety, he's getting treated like the very sort of untouchable celebrity he so accurately satirizes in this book: there are many points in the book where I've got to believe a lesser-known author would have been much more heavily edited. But Frey is currently a rock star in publishing circles, and while that gives his writing a fearlessness that is very compelling, his status also may be granting him an immunity to editing that I think is to his detriment.

The guy's got talent - no question about it. As much as I wanted to dislike this book, I have to give him that: the guy can freaking write. But I think his talent would shine even brighter with some editorial guidance.

For example, there are many "walk-on" characters in this book, who make one appearance and are never seen again. For the most part, they're all pretty good bits, too; unlike the LA factoids, which he ultimately begins to overuse, the walk-on bits are all pretty engaging to read. But as the book goes on, you get the sense that he's less invested in them. Early in the book, all the walk-ons have names, even if they only get a sentence or two of coverage. But later in the book they're all simply "he" or "she," as if Frey could no longer be bothered to come up with names for them.

Similarly, the LA factoids, which are a pretty effective device in the book, later on become longer and more unwieldy, interrupting the flow and slowing the pace. There's a 40-page section of this sort of thing near what should be the climax of the book that does nothing but grind the narrative to a halt. Again, this is the sort of thing an editor could help him with, without damaging his voice or the vitality of his prose.

This was an ambitious book, by somebody I can't really respect as a person, but whose writing talent I cannot impugn. And overall I enjoyed the book, and am glad I read it. I just hope Frey eventually becomes less controversial, so we can focus more on his writing and less on the brouhaha he generates. Because Frey can write. And he's trying things that are more ambitious than much of what we're seeing in currently popular books. But I think somebody needs to rein him in - just a little - before he'll rise to his full potential. I for one will be watching. And reading.

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Maybe the best I have ever read

When I was 19, I took a class in undergraduate about Los Angeles based fiction. It was an interesting class, I only wish this book had been around during that time so that it could have been part of the required reading.

I come from a family of voracious readers, I started with Jurassic Park when I was only ten years old, and haven't stopped reading since. I have read Hemingway, Joyce, Emmerson, Kerouac, all wonderful storytellers in their own way. But I can honestly say that I cannot remember a novel in recent years that moved me quite as much as "Bright shiny morning". I was literally reduced to tears (I can't remember the last time this happened!!) by the end. I'm not sure if I cried because I felt so strongly for these characters, or because I was sad that the book had come to an end. All I know is I want more, more, more!

The word "cliche" has been used an awful lot in reviews of this book, and fairly so. The bum with the heart of gold, the hispanic maid, the shallow actor who adds very little (nothing?) of value to society and yet is worshiped as a God. These are all stories that have been told before. It is the WAY in which Frey tells them that is so powerful, so moving, so thought provoking and emotional. It is a story that manages to entertain and simultaneously cause you to question your own priorities in life, causes you to think about what is really important, at least thats what it did for me.

Saying this book is no good because it uses cliches is like missing the forest for the trees. Frey's writing here is exceptional, emotional, and beautiful. Do yourself a favor, suspend any prior opinions about the author you may have, and try to read the book with an open mind. I think you'll find, as I did, a literary treasure that rises miles above what is traditionally put out there these days.

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Tedious, but not a bad book

I bought Bright Shiny Morning because I liked James Frey's other books very much. I was disappointed, but read the whole thing anyway and I can say it's a fairly good book if you enjoy his style but, for me, it's not a great read. I especially disliked the lists he inserted in the book. Once I got the jist, I skipped over many of the items.

LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

BRIGHT SHINY MORNING

Such a mixed bag of reviews and thoughts! I love it! This book is one of the best I have read this year. It is weird, different, enthralling, interesting, never dull. One reviewer wrote it read like a Jackie Collins novel; and yes, sometimes it did! However, I guess that would be a compliment seeing Ms. Collins is right up there on the best sellers lists constantly.

The writing is different and unique. No punctuation marks, no paragraphs, no commas, sometimes just rambling thoughts. Well, maybe more than sometimes rambling thoughts, a lot of rambling thoughts! Put all of these thoughts together and you have got yourself one good read.

This is a big, fat, juicy book. There are main characters; however, we read about them for a bit, then jump on to someone else. Some characters are never named, there is a small paragraph or two about them, and then they are never mentioned again. There is no rhyme or reasoning to the writing style, but hey -- it WORKS!!!

I loved all of the main characters; Joe the homeless drunk, Maddie and Dylan who run away from their respective abusive parents, Esperanza who works as a maid for a horrible rich woman, Amberton and Casey who are rich movie stars, and on and on. Each character brings to light their story, their dreams, their souls. The goodness of mankind. The cruelty of the human race. All of these characters were ones that interested me and ones I cared about. I could not put this book down. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the book. IT IS GREAT!!!

This book is LOADED with lists upon lists and facts about LA, about everything and anything you can possibly think of. I enjoyed them. The pages of facts about California's history were interesting to say the least. And I would never have dreamed that reading about the interstate highway system would be interesting and enjoyable, but it was!!!!

This book is a winner. Not for everyone, but give it a chance. If you are offended by language and subject matter, this is not for you. However, this is a book NOT to be missed. I absolutely will recommend it to all of my family and friends.

Go for it!

Thanks!
Pam

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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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