3) Context, Time Period, and Location

The majority of "A Million Little Pieces" takes place in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. The exact location of the center is not given. The center is described as being very sterile and white. Frey speaks of lights in the corridors that remain on at all hours of the day and night. This adds to the concept that the center never really sleeps. Frey also talks about hearing screams coming from other patients' rooms. The time frame of the novel is not stated, as it is of no real relevance to the story. At times, James is unsure of how time passes, and I feel that the unstated time frame also adds to the effect of the chaos that has taken over his life. All that we really know about the time frame is that James spent his time at the center during winter. Several references to the cold of winter, and ice on the lake tell us this. The lack of knowledge of time frame and given description of the rehab center really work to create a sense of how James Frey experienced his time in rehab.