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Dry : A Memoir
Dry A Memoir
Author: Augusten Burroughs
From the bestselling author of Running with Scissors comes Dry—the hilarious, moving, and no less bizarre account of what happened next. — You may not know it, but you've met Augusten Burroughs. You've seen him on the street, in bars, on the subway, at restaurants: a twenty-something guy, nice suit, works in advertising. Regul...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780312423797
ISBN-10: 0312423799
Publication Date: 4/1/2004
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 724

4 stars, based on 724 ratings
Publisher: Picador
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
We meet a smoother more polished writer in this book than in his earlier 'Running with Scissors'. This time the story almost seems more personal to him and we follow along from the beginning when he is forced into rehab (though he doesn't believe he needs it or belongs there) through the end where he finally does become 'dry'. I would really recommend this to those who have an addict in their lives- whether their friend or family member is clean or using, this book gives us a better glimpse into the mechanics of addiction as it details and stresses the fine points of temptation that the sober take for granted and the addict probably never can.

For those who may be uncomfortable with the homosexual topics: relationships and acts are discussed however, they are not, for the most part, depicted in as blatantly shocking a manner as in 'Running with Scissors'.
books-4-boys avatar reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
I really enjoyed this book, I don't think you have to read "Running with Scissors" first, but if you do, You really need to read this book next! they are totally different but with the same great humor.

I thought in the first book he writing his experiences as he remembered them as a child and that is really different than how we would see those experiences as an adult, which is what makes it so hard for people to believe. In this book he is writing his experiences as an adult.

I find it refreshing that throughout his life and books he focuses on the positive and not the negative like so many other memoirs. He was luckily blessed with an incredible sense of humor that allows him to remain afloat in a world of crap.

I don't think he at says "look at me I have a messed up life aren't I so funny and fabulous" to me he's funny and fabulous IN SPITE of his messed up life... and I've only read two of books but I don't recall his ever thinking he was fabulous. I suppose people think that if he was beaten down his whole life he should act more like it - I'm glad he doesn't!

For people who have not had such a "perfectly normal" life his books are better than therapy! and in his books you can find "hope"


....of having a smile at the end of your worst day ever.
candieb avatar reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 239 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I liked this one MUCH better than Running With Scissors (which I thought was way too out in left field for me - sorry, I don't buy all of it). ANYWAY. This book was really well done, written from the heart and I believed every single word of it. Very well written, I laughed and I cried. I'm anxious to get to the next one!
smittydoodle avatar reviewed Dry : A Memoir on
Helpful Score: 5
I found this book to be a lot more genuine and usually more humorous than Running With Scissors. Not that Running With Scissors was bad, because it wasn't, but I found RWS more depressing than hilarious. Dry is a great follow up to it that I'd recommend to anyone who has read the first one.
reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A good follow up to "Running with Scissors", but can be read without having read the prequel.
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reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 14 more book reviews
Another classic Augusten Burroughs!
reviewed Dry : A Memoir on
Great book, the way it's written made it so I could hardly put it down. Like a wonderful conversation I wanted it to keep on going.
WeRAllOne avatar reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 11 more book reviews
This is a poignant story of addiction and mental health, sometimes disturbing but brutally honest.
reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 2 more book reviews
Amazing writing, really good story, I enjoyed it very much.
reviewed Dry : A Memoir on
Wow. I could not put this down. This author has such a wicked sense of humor but at the same time you can't help but feel his pain. It gave me a much deeper understanding of what it takes for alcoholics to stop drinking - while making me laugh too. Wow.
coolwrite avatar reviewed Dry : A Memoir on + 7 more book reviews
Great continuation of Burroughs previous memoir, but tackling different issues, therefore with a slightly different tone. This one is just as witty and very well written.


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