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njawadian 's review for:
Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
by Matthew Perry
emotional
sad
medium-paced
To be honest, I sat here struggling with how many stars to give this before deciding against rating altogether. Yes, the chronology is a little wonky, and yes, thematically, there’s repetition. And, yes, some of his commentary on women and relationships are troubling, to say the least. But, growing up a daughter of an alcoholic, it felt fitting to hear Matthew retell his story in a way that made it seem like he was trapped on a hamster wheel, because he was in so many ways.
What captivated me, though, was the honesty and shamelessness. Not once does he shirk responsibility—he owns his humanity and presents his missteps as something of a cautionary tale.
Reading this a few years after his passing, as an author narrated audiobook nonetheless, was truly grim, and the tragedy was heightened when the book ends with Matty having found a sense of hope and purpose. I can only hope he found what he fought so hard for. I can only hope he’s found a way to like himself as much as we did and still do.
What captivated me, though, was the honesty and shamelessness. Not once does he shirk responsibility—he owns his humanity and presents his missteps as something of a cautionary tale.
Reading this a few years after his passing, as an author narrated audiobook nonetheless, was truly grim, and the tragedy was heightened when the book ends with Matty having found a sense of hope and purpose. I can only hope he found what he fought so hard for. I can only hope he’s found a way to like himself as much as we did and still do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Abandonment
Moderate: Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death