Dry: A Memoir
by Augusten Burroughs
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Book Reviews of Dry: A Memoir
Book Review: You have to read this!
Summary: 5 Stars
As a recovering addict (3 years clean) I fell in love with this book. The way he describes his struggle to overcome the addictions, to get past his childhood trauma, and to just be a grown up was charming. I especially related to him describing how he could keep the electricity and phones turned on cause he couldn't pay the bills, not because he didn't have the money, but because he became overwhelmed at the thought of responsibility. Also the way he described his mother's suffocating needs, saying that even the smallest task ("changing a lightbulb) seemed so daunting and huge.
I wasn't sure how much material would be left after Running with Scissors, but there was plenty of substance to keep Dry together. I found this book a lot more enjoyable because it wasn't as illicit as the previous, but still packed with conflict.
That being said, I'm wondering when the public will get tired of one man constantly writing about himself. I for one am looking foward to reading the rest of his books. The one thing I love about his books, aside from content, is the way it feels like you're having a conversation with him. The writing is so casual and not full of fluffy metaphores, analogies and ridiculous details.
Book Review: going through hell and back...
Summary: 4 Stars
"Dry: A Memoir" is my second autobiographical book by Augusten Burroughs. His "Running with Scissors" was brilliant; I was awestruck at how any child can survive through such a bizarre childhood. In "Dry.." we discover that Mr Burroughs didn't exactly sail through early adulthood unscathed. Although remarkably successful in the frenetic world of advertising at a young age, the author quickly self-destructs. Alcohol, drugs and failed relationships find him in rehab while only in his twenties. From there "Dry.." recounts the author's attempts to get his life back together. A rough journey ensues.
Although "Dry.." is most readable, thanks to the author's wit and self-deprecating humor, mush of the book seemed unremarkable compared to other autobiographies of folks battling similar demons. There isn't the shock and horror found in his "Running with Scissors". Yet at the end of "Dry.." I did appreciate what the author went through. Still, I wish he did a bit more self-analysis as to *why* he was so self-destructive and less on how exactly he tried to clean himself up.
Bottom line: certainly a worthy read but not quite up to his "Running with Scissors".
Book Review: excellent and funny
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my new favorite books. I couldn't put it down and finished it within one or two sittings. Augusten Burroughs is one of the funniest and most neurotic people I've had the pleasure of reading. He has such a quirkiness about him and he's so honest--even when it doesn't paint him so prettily.
I read this book at the kitchen table with my husband reading whatever he was reading. Every so often I'd laugh hysterically. My husband started ignoring my laughter so I had to interrupt him to tell him what was so funny. I could barely read these paragraphs aloud-- getting the words out while laughing so hard is always so difficult.
Anyways, this is really one of the best memoirs I've read. I was sorry to see it end. If you like this, also try James Frey's stuff. He's good, too. . . but very different.
I wanted to add one more thing: a couple of reviewers mentioned that "if you're gay", this book would be helpful, or relevant, or whatever. I think this book is great for ANYONE. Yeah, Burroughs is gay. But, more importantly, he's an interesting human being. You don't have to be gay to appreciate his writing or appreciate what he has to say.
Book Review: Augusten Burroughs - On The Rocks
Summary: 5 Stars
So, I'm doing this a little backwards...I read 'Dry' before 'Running With Scissors'....and though I know a few things now that might have come as surprises in reading 'Scissors' first, I don't feel cheated at all.
'Dry' is Augusten Burroughs' memoir of his realization that he's an alcoholic, and his stint in rehab to control his disease, and beyond. Laced with laugh-out-loud thoughts and epiphanies by the author, which is to be expected of Burroughs, the 300 pages slip by at an easy pace as the author chronicles his struggles with alcoholism and recovery.
I have absolutley no criticisms of this book to offer. While it only took me 2 evenings to read it, it's an absorbing tale of a man as he lays bare his emotions and battle trying to maintain sobriety...and shares with the world some of his darkest moments....all the while making the reader laugh along with him as he laughs at himself, the process of recovery, and the host of new people he meets along the way.
An excellent read, and enough to make me finally take my copy of 'Scissors' out of the bookcase, and begin reading it immediately upon completion of this book.
Book Review: Sober isn't as much fun...
Summary: 4 Stars
...but its still worthwhile! Dry wasn't quite as laugh out loud funny as Running With Scissors...but still very funny and worth reading. My experience has been that people who have had dysfunctional lives find Burrough's writing to be on the money funny, while those who have lead more conventional lives just don't get it. When reading this book one has to realize that the author never went beyond elementary school, was neglected and abused as a child, is a recovering alcohol and drug abuser, and a young immature homosexual male in New York City. Although this eliminates most readers persoanl backgrounds, the author somehow does transcend above it all and tells a very human story with thoughts, hopes, dreams, emotions, that we can all somehow relate to. I suppose its true what they say...there's a little bit of "addict" in all of us. Also, I'd like to give Burroughs credit in giving some enlightenment to the reader on rehab and AA. This was very inspirational to me. Not to mention that he takes very heavy themes of addiction, love, work relationships, death and renewal, and brings such needed humor to them all. I couldn't put it down and read it in a day.