Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Přátelé, lásky a ten ohromný průšvih

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Přátelé, lásky a ten ohromný průšvih by Matthew Perry

183 reviews

alixcallender's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Listening to the audiobook version of this after Matthew Perry’s death is unbearably, crushingly sad. I am weeping like a child as I write this, having just heard his closing montage of love and gratitude for the people in his life.

It is not a perfect book, but it’s honest - he equally expresses his anger, fear, and complete selfishness alongside humility, reflection, and love. He’s a complex person, like we’re all complex people. I am actually surprised it has such low ratings, but my guess is probably that people struggle with the beginning. At the outset, he portrays himself as a narcissistic, bitter curmudgeon with mommy/daddy issues and no respect for women. If you’d picked up the book because you love Chandler Bing, this intro is alarming. (It is also a bit disorganized, from an editing/narrative standpoint.) But to anyone who starts it, I implore you to finish it. You must finish it. As the book continues, Perry stumblingly arrives to a place of gratitude and hard-won optimism, acknowledging his deep-set flaws and realizing the universe is not out to get him. I think the set up of this book is deliberate: you start from the brain of an millionaire drug addict, self-pitying and loathsome and ungrateful; then you join him on the painful journey to sobriety, failing plenty of times along the way but ultimately coming out the other side with love both for himself and for the people in his life.

That’s why the reality of his untimely death is so, so sad. He concludes with such hope and optimism and appreciation for the beauty of the world. Wanting this chapter of his life to be the longest and happiest, wanting to find love, maybe have kids. He continually expressed how thankful he was to just be alive. A sense that he survived what he did for a higher purpose. Listening to this, knowing he would be dead only two years later, is heartbreaking. I can only imagine how his friends and family must feel.

I don’t know fully what to take away from this. Yes, he had many successes in life and had it a lot easier than some addicts, and yes much of this book is flawed. But addiction like this is unimaginably difficult no matter how much fame and money you have. I was rooting for him throughout, and am sadder for it. I’m only hopeful he found true happiness at the very end.

Content Warnings

wytherwytch's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional funny informative sad fast-paced

I liked how honest and candid Matthew Perry is about his life. The good, the bad and the ugly. A read I very much enjoyed and appreciated him sharing.

Content Warnings

yellowpurple500's review against another edition

5.0

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Where do I even begin.

This book has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. After hearing about his passing I decided that the best way to pay tribute was to finally read it.

This book is an emotional roller-coaster. It is raw, truthful and makes you reflect on areas of your own life at the same time.

The biggest takeaway of this book has to be that no matter what you're going through, you are never alone. Don't be afraid to reach out for help and check up on those around you.

Rest in peace Matthew Perry. I hope God is treating you well after that pact.

Content Warnings