Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I am a big fan of Augusten Burroughs work. Very raw and hard. If you like stories of overcoming trauma and having a rough upbringing his work is for you. I love his ability to be real with his issues and slowly work at tracing them back to his childhood. This book was heartbreaking on many accounts and I would recommend it.
A very strong, raw memoir about his struggles with alcoholism and the death of his close friend.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
This is my second Augusten Burroughs read and already I think I’ve affirmed his place as one of my favorites. This book is the second in a memoir/biographical trilogy of books regarding Burroughs' life; Dry focuses on his time in an intensive rehab facility after hitting rock bottom with his alcoholism, and all of the internal monologues and moral/social dilemmas that come with it. This man was a mess, but I get a big kick out of making a joke out of everything bad that happens to me (whether or not I brought it onto myself) so I didn’t feel bad occasionally laughing at his own humorous detailings of his struggle and often downright hopelessness. I felt like I could take a seat with Mr. Burroughs on some dingy, musty couch and have him tell me all about himself in the same way his books are written and I would never get bored or tired of it.
i still don't believe that Burroughs' stories are true (how could he even remember all of this? most of the book is dialogue for christ's sake AND he's drunk for a good portion of it) but i do love rehab/recovery stories - i don't really know why, there's just something about alcoholism and drug abuse and rehab centers that's interesting to me. not that i'd want to experience them myself. i'll just stick to reading about them.
i'll just repeat what i've said before; read Burroughs' books as actual memoirs and they're gross and unbelievable, read them as fiction and they work. kind of.
i'll just repeat what i've said before; read Burroughs' books as actual memoirs and they're gross and unbelievable, read them as fiction and they work. kind of.
Wow, this book was powerful. I am not usually one to enjoy stories of people's addiction or alcoholism because it can be difficult to relate to. Burroughs, however, does an incredible job of explaining where his self-destructive behavior is coming from. I think I would understand even better if I had read his first memoir, Running With Scissors, which I will definitely put on my list. Even though there are times when you know he's making mistakes you understand how and where they are coming from.
I loved the style he wrote in because he keeps the narrative going really well while still being removed enough to show himself in a balanced light--he certainly does not make excuses for his behavior.
I loved the style he wrote in because he keeps the narrative going really well while still being removed enough to show himself in a balanced light--he certainly does not make excuses for his behavior.
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
dark
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
“I'm lonely. And I'm lonely in some horribly deep way and for a flash of an instant, I can see just how lonely, and how deep this feeling runs. And it scares the shit out of me to be this lonely because it seems catastrophic.”
Wow, I loved this book. Intense, and beautifully written. I was completely caught up in Augusten’s character arc (can we call it that in a memoir?). His internal dialogue throughout this story is profound - and at some points hidden behind humor. I both laughed and cried - Would absolutely recommend.
Wow, I loved this book. Intense, and beautifully written. I was completely caught up in Augusten’s character arc (can we call it that in a memoir?). His internal dialogue throughout this story is profound - and at some points hidden behind humor. I both laughed and cried - Would absolutely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Without a doubt, a stellar memoir about alcoholism and the struggle to sober. It will make you examine your own drinking and drug habits as you relate to different aspects of Augusten's life. Homosexual activities are treated as normal, as they should be - not too overstated or forced upon you. Recommended for those in their 20s and 30s.