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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I think Burroughs and I share a similar sense of humor; I found his edgy wit, funny observations, and self deprecation delightful. A traumatic childhood/recovery story threaded through with quality jokes turned out to be a real page-turner for me.
This was a hard book to read. For me, it was like watching reality TV. Just when it gets confrontational, I change the channel. Nope. Hard pass.
Augusten's view of his world and context was humorous, though obviously dark, given his history and the situation he was writing about. The levity was necessary, even if challenging to comprehend as he joked about what I would consider horrific situations.
But, honestly, I cried when he relapsed, because I knew it would happen. Every page I turned, I knew that would be the one. And then it was. And my heart broke.
Augusten's view of his world and context was humorous, though obviously dark, given his history and the situation he was writing about. The levity was necessary, even if challenging to comprehend as he joked about what I would consider horrific situations.
But, honestly, I cried when he relapsed, because I knew it would happen. Every page I turned, I knew that would be the one. And then it was. And my heart broke.
I like Augusten Burroughs. He has a really nice style and he's a talented writer, but David Sedaris definitely has him beat. If you want something a little more serious and gloomy, then this is for you.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Augusten Borroughs should not be alive. He shouldn’t even made it to adulthood. His resilience is proof that nobody should give up.
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Surprisingly lighthearted despite the content. He was raw and honest - truly honest. As in he wasn't afraid of being the villain; showing us those unsavory thoughts and decisions we all have. Really refreshing candor and authentic portrayal of his life and the struggles in it. All with a sardonic humor that I would like to see more of. Often, it is clear that a memoir was edited and cleaned up for palatability.
A very human look at addiction, layered with a queer perspective.
A very human look at addiction, layered with a queer perspective.
Dry by Augusten Burroughs
I had read Running With Scissors about a year ago (and I have avoided going anywhere near the film) and enjoyed it - enjoyed it in that way that you enjoy a car crash. It was not a favourite book and not that enjoyable that the first thing I did was pick up Dry and continue to read about Mr. Burroughs' trials and tribulations in the advertising world. Running with Scissors was not the "fun romp" that the back of the book promised - it was a stark, barren novel that tried to make the author's life look "fun and interesting" but, when viewed from a distance, really was awful. This was a man whose parents gave him away to his mother's psychiatrist and suffered under the hands body parts of a paedophile. Not the most fun read. In Dry the author is still suffering, this time from alcohol abuse. The thing that makes this an easier (comparatively) read is that he is now an adult, making his own decisions. This makes the book a lot more enjoyable less likely to make you hold the book at arm's length and scream "NOOOOOO!!!!" The book follows his life for a year - a year where he enters rehab, starts AA meetings, falls in love with a crack user, relapses and then recovers. He is a much more likeable character (probably because what is happening to him is his choice and you feel a lot closer to him than watching the car-crash-lifestyle of his youth, where others fucked him up [and fucked him]). I am really glad I read this book. There was a feeling at the end of Running that I didn't really care about how his life progressed, now I feel a certain sense of happiness that he is back in control of his life and it is his life.
I had read Running With Scissors about a year ago (and I have avoided going anywhere near the film) and enjoyed it - enjoyed it in that way that you enjoy a car crash. It was not a favourite book and not that enjoyable that the first thing I did was pick up Dry and continue to read about Mr. Burroughs' trials and tribulations in the advertising world. Running with Scissors was not the "fun romp" that the back of the book promised - it was a stark, barren novel that tried to make the author's life look "fun and interesting" but, when viewed from a distance, really was awful. This was a man whose parents gave him away to his mother's psychiatrist and suffered under the hands body parts of a paedophile. Not the most fun read. In Dry the author is still suffering, this time from alcohol abuse. The thing that makes this an easier (comparatively) read is that he is now an adult, making his own decisions. This makes the book a lot more enjoyable less likely to make you hold the book at arm's length and scream "NOOOOOO!!!!" The book follows his life for a year - a year where he enters rehab, starts AA meetings, falls in love with a crack user, relapses and then recovers. He is a much more likeable character (probably because what is happening to him is his choice and you feel a lot closer to him than watching the car-crash-lifestyle of his youth, where others fucked him up [and fucked him]). I am really glad I read this book. There was a feeling at the end of Running that I didn't really care about how his life progressed, now I feel a certain sense of happiness that he is back in control of his life and it is his life.