Katerina Kindle Edition

A book about partying, friendship- true friendship, where you can be at your absolute worst, and your friends still love you and come celebrate friendship with you. It's a book about love, loss, alcohol, drugs, and finding one self in a big lonely world. A book about finding your one true love, and losing it. This book made me laugh, Cry, feel happy, and feel dark and depressed. Everything a GREAT writer should make you feel. Once my feelings are collected and settled, I may even read it again. In a different view (now I know the outcome). Its another James Frey Masterpiece. My favorite yet! I love the unconventional writing style, the improper use of ",.?'s.... Its what makes the book HIS! Highly recommend reading it!

Before "Katerina," I was aware of James Frey, not for the right reasons, and not that I had any real opinion of those reasons, but I had never read any of his work. Then I read a few reviews saying that "Katerina" might have been the worst thing published this year -- which made me pay attention. You can't buy that kind of publicity.The plot is simple: a series of mysterious Facebook messages stirs the memory of a middle-aged writer, someone who had once been great but made mistakes and now was getting by, heck was doing better than most, but hadn't been inspired in a long time. The memories bring him back, back to when he was lost kid who had picked up Henry Miller's "Tropic of Cancer," gotten wowed by its prose, and moved to Paris to soak up all the art, beauty and energy of that magical city. His hope is that by doing this he can become a writer himself; but not just any writer, a writer who, in his own words -- "burns the world down."The problem is, Paris is... Paris. So he drinks. Drinks a lot. Drinks more than Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Bukowski combined. And when he isn't drinking he's dealing with the after-effects of drinking. Which doesn't stop him from sleeping with a handful of beautiful Parisian women. And falling in love. And writing a whole bunch of garbage. Which is the heart of the story, and the source of the mysterious Facebook messages.If this all sounds slightly narcissistic, I mean... it is. And yet the book serves as a kind of wish-fulfillment fantasy; our young narrator puts us in Paris with him, all unbridled energy, ambition and libido. He drinks and has sex and writes and reads and drinks and has more sex and writes and reads and fights and has even more sex and drinks and has sex again and drinks and drinks and drinks and has sex one last time and then drinks and drinks and drinks some more. The self-loathing does become a bit tiring and the plot is little more than a gap year abroad -- the cartoon version -- and still, you can't put the thing down. Or, at least I couldn't. You just don't see books like this anymore.In the end, what I liked most was the narrator's naivety. Here is a dumb kid who, even as an adult, wants to be a legend. And isn't afraid to say so. He self-loathes and self-destructs, but never loses that tender sincerity, that undying spirit, that life-long search for the next great romance, rarely found in life itself, but undeniably present in books, art, music!And that is what "Katerina" ultimately is — a rekindling of that flame, a rediscovery of a time long forgotten, when romance was real, and to one particular young author, everything was possible.

Raw and powerful! I just finished reading this novel and I'm having difficulty putting my thoughts and feelings into words. Just read it...all the way to the end. It will change you.Thank you, James. This one has been a long time coming; you're back on top, my friend!~JS~

I just finished Katerina and embarrassed myself on the train, at a restaurant and in a taxi by sobbing. I am bereft it's over. I love James Frey's writing style, his power, but most of all his disruptive originality! He has shown me a new world. This book is SO good!

I think this is the best book I have ever read. It actually made me reach out to the author to tell him so. It is powerful, direct, and soul shaking. Maybe it just speaks to me, but I can’t imagine you could read the first few pages and not be hooked.

This is the first book review I've ever written, for whatever that's worth. I was really moved by the story and connected with the raw and emotion and vulnerability.The story goes back and forth touching on existential themes that both the Young and middle-aged wrestle with. I connected with much of it.Frey's literary style is unconventional, but works to convey the raw and pressured energy in the emotion of the story.There is sex and drugs and vomiting. All of the things that typically follow an addict as they spiral down. If this didn't bother you in his previous books, it won't here either.I was really moved by the story and James Frey's introspection often connected with mine. I read a couple negative reviews from popular literary types. They didn't seem to care for it. I loved it.

I know his 1st book was controversial but I liked it A LOT nontheless. This book ressembles the rant style of the first one but it's surprisingly romantic while. I presume the story's biographical then again, who knows? Who cares? Interesting read about first loves, the pursuit of your calling, sex, drugs and broken hearts.

Incredible read beginning to end. Absolutely could not put down. Amazing story of love and life - makes you think, dream, want, love, hate, and cry. Struggled to get through the last two pages in tears. Read. Read. Read!!!

I've only just hobbled together some understanding of the controversy of Frey's 'A Million Little Pieces' - an incredible book which paralleled the importance of the following of 'My Friend Leonard'. Whatever you think of James Frey I'm stunned by how impressive a writer he actually is. 'Katerina' is a book that covers similar territory; drinking, cocaine and sex but also love and belief structures set around a God or the absence of one that fuels the act of writing. This is in my opinion a much more definite and passionate book, which utilizes Frey's writing style well. It's fascinating and extremely intense in parts and I think my favourite out of the three I've read. Highly recommended and very moving.

A beautiful and moving novel. Excellent pace like with the other James Frey novels I have read. I think he's a great writer and an important one too. I have read a bit about how controversial he is, but I'd easily put him in my top 10 favourite authors.The book is a story of love, life after college or university, alcohol and drug abuse, lows and highs topped off with interesting and compelling characters. I'm guessing the protagonist is loosely based on J.F.A little surprised at some of the low star reviews, but I guess it's more to do with JF and peoples mixed opinions of him. I think you're great Mr Frey.

Since reading a million little pieces, I cannot read any other author. It saved me 12 years ago. I have found it impossible to finish any other book. Other then Frey’s. He is the only author that makes me feel. Extraordinary.

I like James Freys books and this ones no different. The writing style is different by design, or lack thereof and that’s what makes it a compelling read. Some people might not get it, but if you do, you’ll love it.

Not his best work , easy read

As usual from JF, captivating from the off, real, engrossing, page turner. Loved it

Refreshing

Once i got into it i couldnt put it down. Not enjoyed reading a book so much in a long time

Love James Frey and this didn’t disappoint. Easy read.

Brilliant book!

Despite his past lies he is still a great author and story teller. We have read most of his books and have yet to be disappointed. We just love his righting style....almost poetic.

As so often happens when I read one of his books, I just can't put it down! The writing grabs hold and just won't let go. I found this interesting from beginning to end - which didn't take long.

You just can't put it down as you are dragged down this path of addiction. Really good read on our last vacation. Usually I leave books after I'm done at the resorts we stay at...brought this one home as want to read it again.Perhaps I'm addicted....

Spicy story! Well written and easy to read. Zipped through it on a three day camping trip and loved it.

...mein Mann hat es gelesen und für gut empfunden ;-)