Dry: A Memoir
by Augusten Burroughs
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Book Reviews of Dry: A Memoir
Book Review: Another great book by Augusten!
Summary: 5 Stars
Another wonderful read by Augusten Burroughs. After reading "Running With Scissors", I was captivated enough by Augusten's writing style that I quickly picked up another of his books at the local bookstore. I again was transported to a fascinating, funny and thought provoking world.
Again, I've seen reviews here that seem mixed about this book. Mostly what seems to stick out to me is some resentment that this book may in fact have embellishments. Perhaps many of us think that our own lives are and/or have been fascinating and wracked full of hardships ourselves, but when reading about someone else's, they seem, well... unreal. And to us who have not experienced such things, of coarse it would seem that way, but then again, to reverse the situation, if you were to have someone reading about your life, however, droll and normal it may seem to you, will be fascinating to others. And my personal opinion, so what if there are embellishments or not. I could care less. It does not change the fact that this is a wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable read! Avid readers such as myself are not looking for fact filled books, memoir or not. We're looking for something enjoyable, and interesting that captivates us. And without question, "Dry" does just this. Case closed in my humble opinion.
Thanks Augusten for sharing your story and talent with us! I have the rest of your works on order and am looking forward to reading more!
Book Review: Go ahead, Have another one.What's one more gonna do?
Summary: 4 Stars
Dry is anything but what the title of this work implies.The pages drip with boozy escapades and one can almost smell and taste the liquor on Augusten Burroughs breath.A must for drinkers who would like to stop or at least reassess what the heck is going on in their lives.Almost motivational in its honest appraisal of the difficulties inherent in this addiction. The writing style is clear and refreshingly down to earth,funny, yet foreboding and diary-like in its presentation.Burroughs clearly transmits via humor and self awareness the many dimensions of this destructive addiction and the problems that can come with it, especially the limited usefulness of rehab.The story itself is pretty hip with a good look inside the mind of what we could easily call, "a hard core drinker" as he anticipates the "next one".Passages describe a variety of interpersonal dilemmas,job and sexual conundrums.Dry is also a good insightful look at how the treatees view the treaters and how quickly they can size up weaknesses and exploit them.This is a page turner but it does drag a bit in the middle, yet has a strong finish.An earlier work 'Running With Scissors' was apparently good enough for Hollywood, so take a shot with DRY.After all, when your liquor bottles occupy more living space in your place than you do, it might be time to slow down,stop and get a copy of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and a copy of Dry. CHEERS!!!Book Review: Funny Drunk?
Summary: 5 Stars
This a follow-up to "Running with Scissors" just in case you're a new Augusten Burroughs fan. It is written in the same matter-of-fact prose with gritty honesty. I enjoyed reading the part about his 30 day stint at a gay substance abuse rehab facility. What I found disturbing that Burroughs didn't reveal in the first book is how his father physically abused him in the most sinister ways. The author was only able to remember these horrid episodes when he was in his usual drunken haze. Which led him to marvel wether alcoholism has some benifits, "This is maybe one of the best things to ever come of my drinking. Or maybe it's one of the worst." Funny how, one didn't feel any pity as he recalled being burnt on the forehead by his father with a cigarette and another time when his father tried to kill them both by attempting to drive into a ravine. Instead, you feel the rage that Burroughs felt for his father. You do render some feelings of sympathy as Augusten tried to deal with the death of an ex-lover whom he had a tumultous relationship with. Having so much to deal with, our hero falls off the wagon. Ultimately, Burroughs embraces his alcoholic problem and surrenders to the fact that his staying sober is as much a part of his life as getting up in the morning and breathing in some fresh air. Highly recommended and a good follow-up to "Running with Scissors."Book Review: I walked a mile or two in his shoes
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered my copy of Dry: A Memoirthe day after I finished Running with Scissors: A Memoir. I'm hooked on Burroughs' writings as I have walked a few miles parallel to his. I applauded his success despite his denial, and in the book laughed and cried as he put to words some of my very own feelings when dealing with coworkers, clients, figures of authority, and even friends. But despite my stellar 5 star rating one simply cannot appreciate what I am saying without the experience of reading it yourself. Well done, quick and easy read, and it leaves me yearning for more of a peek in the window of his life. It appears he's overcome some serious obstacles and is doing just fine! As soon as I finish all his works, I'll be reading his Brother's book Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's and to plug one more work that I've added to my list of "yet to read and will" is RockstarletBook Review: Better than 'Running with Scissors'
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not quite sure why a number of reviews have said "it's not as funny as 'Running with Scissors'...." I hope to g-d, it's not meant to be funny at all. Either book. Both have some observational moments which might be humorous - but such is life. A funny book? I don't think so.
As I mentioned in my review of 'Running w/Scissors' the excerpt for 'Dry' at the end of the former book was the best thing in that publication. I found 'Dry' to be written better and more engaging - but still a continuation of an unhappy and f***ed up life.
I won't (and cannot)speculate what makes someone in substance recovery do what they do. And I do not think Burroughs makes it that much clearer. Some of his triggers are not clearly defined as to why he does certain things. At least they are not ones someone might think.
Naturally, a memoir on recovery needs arcs of possible relapse, if not actual relapse, to be an effective story. In my mind the timeframe of these are not necessarily well placed to tell a succinct story.
I'm not sure how `Dry' measures up to the plethora of memoirs on recovery that are now out there - but it's an easy read that shouldn't take more than a few hours.