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 enlarge | Author: James Frey
Publisher: Harper
Category: Book
List Price: $26.95
Buy Used: $8.33
You Save: $18.62 (69%)
New (60) Used (48) Collectible (9) from $8.33
Rating:  132 reviews
Sales Rank: 5295
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 512
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.9 x 1.7
ISBN: 0061573132
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780061573132
ASIN: 0061573132
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Free tracking of all orders so you know where it is and that it was delivered. Please no correctional institutions. On occasion we may substitute a hardback for a softcover as inventory allows
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 11-15 of 132
 A Dull Pennysworth of Cliches September 13, 2008
Andrew Katz (NYC)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Frey is yet another easterner--Cleveland born, NYC resident--who finds the need to tell us Angelinos what we're about. Only he's brought nothing new to the party. Some reviewers have already pointed out the most egregious cliches. But the worst of them are not only cliched, but essentially false. E.g., a transplanted New Yorker brought west to run an art gallery is run over crossing the street by an MTA bus because the driver "wasn't used to seeing pedestrians". When we lived in Hollywood, my wife worked in the North Valley and had to use our only car. I walked. All over. I even used public trans(!). Never got run over. Not even close. One of the first things drivers in Cali are taught is that pedestrians *always* have the right of way, crosswalk or no.
I've lived for the past 15 years in NYC. Here I've come a lot, lot closer to getting run down, both as pedestrian and bicyclist (in fact I got hit twice while bicycling). Pedestrians have a far, far more problematic relationship with motorists than in LA.
Another point of contention is that hoariest of assertions: "It calls. It calls. It calls!"
Really?
How 'bout NYC? It calls (I run into a tankload of Angelinos and other Californians here). So does Chicago. So does any major metropolitan center. Frey is just showing off his regionalism here.
Other points that may seem niggling demonstrate disrespect for basic facts: e.g. according to Frey you can buy a handgun one day and pick it up the next in LA. That's not true. There's been a 14 day waiting period for handgun purchases in California since shortly after RFK's murder.
Frey's style is interesting, but he has yet to master the minimalist punctuation the way Cormac McCarthy has. In Morning it's more of a nuisance than a means of improving flow.
Andy
 A few interesting parts September 10, 2008
Sinclair Thompson (CT)
I found most of the book to be self involved and uninteresting, but perhaps that was the point since it was about LA. There were about 3 story lines I was interested in , and I did skim thru the book to read about those characters. Otherwise I found most of it bland and banal , with the story lines just above a Danielle Steel novel.
The most annoying thing was , when I was recently in Britain , I saw an interview with James Frey on the BBC. He explained that some of the "facts" about LA , that begin many of the chapters, are entirely made up , and false. It seems someone has a wee bit of problem with the truth.
Good Read for Frey fans September 7, 2008
R. Wood (sherman oaks, ca)
This is a great book. Especially if you are from LA and can relate to a lot of what the characters experience. Its true that a few pages are a bit too detailed and you end up skipping over some of the useless info, but as far as character relationships and story lines go- I was captivated. Read all 500 pgs in a week and wish there was more. Id like to see individual spin offs on some of the stories as well.
Good read if you enjoyed his other books... similiar style.
 Absorbing and Fascinating September 5, 2008
Susan (Santa Cruz,CA)
This is an amazing book about people (Angelenos) and a place (Los Angeles) that I have not given much thought to before now. What a history Los Angeles has. What a diverse population James writes about in this unusual novel. I learned so much about the residents of LA and people, in general, from this book, their thoughts, intentions and motives. All, just people, looking for love, in one way or another. James Frey writes an incredible book that had me reading far into the night, fascinated by this interesting trip to LA and all it's madness.
Must Read September 2, 2008
insight (New York)
Bright Shiny Morning is a must-read. I think James Frey is a great writer, whose language is easy for me to relate to as a young adult but also beautiful and intricate in its own way. He has never disappointed me with any of his novels. I believe this book deserves more spotlight because it truly is a wonderful glimpse into the lives and minds of several different individuals connected by one city. I believe these insights allow us to look at ourselves and the world around us in a different way. I love the style in which he writes-it allows you to just breeze through the book. READ IT.
PS. must must must read My Friend Leonard.
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