As I read the novel “A Million Little Pieces” I question whether or not James is being honest or lying. I know one thing for sure, James has an addiction to drugs and alcohol. That is my first reason for doubting his narration to be reliable. In the beginning of the novel he seems to have a bad memory. He is asked what he was taking drug wise and his response is “I don’t remember.” (4), that makes me believe that he could’ve made some of the story up just because he could not remember parts of it.

Another reason I think James is an unreliable narrator is because his character doesn’t seem to care much about anything. He keeps to himself and he doesn’t even care to take care of himself. While James is being asked a few questions by Ken, he is asked about court and bails. hes asked if he has been going to court James replies no. Ken asks if he is out on bail and James says he skipped bail (29), that shows that his character does not care about his actions so how could he be reliable to tell a story?

The last reason I believe James is not a reliable narrator is because he changes his mind a lot. While talking to Ken James says “If I keep going I’m Going to die. I’m not sure I want to be dead yet.” (30), but later on in the book he is told that if he continues to use drugs and alcohol regularly again he will die. James says he has received his sentence. (92). So he made up his mind to leave and drink/use drugs till he is dead. But at the end of the book as he is leaving Leonard follows him. James says that Leonard will never change his mind, yet he goes back inside with Leonard (109). So James constantly changes his mind. He goes back and forth between wanting to die and wanting to live. I don’t think he is a reliable narrator because he is not in the right mindset and can’t make u his mind.

Overall, I do not believe James Frey is a reliable narrator. Although the story is very interesting so far, I just think that James could’ve lied or made some of it up just because of the way his character comes off in the novel.