Dry

A Memoir

By: Augusten Burroughs

Narrated by: Augusten Burroughs

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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 twentysomething guy, nice suit, works in advertising. Regular. Ordinary. But when the ordinary person had two drinks, Augusten was circling the drain by having twelve; when the ordinary person went home at midnight, Augusten never went home at all. Loud, distracting ties, automated wake-up calls and cologne on the tongue could only hide so much for so long. At the request (well, it wasn't really a request) of his employers, Augusten lands in rehab, where his dreams of group therapy with Robert Downey Jr. are immediately dashed by grim reality of fluorescent lighting and paper hospital slippers. But when Augusten is forced to examine himself, something actually starts to click and that's when he finds himself in the worst trouble of all. Because when his thirty days are up, he has to return to his same drunken Manhattan life - and live it sober. What follows is a memoir that's as moving as it is funny, as heartbreaking as it is true. Dry is the story of love, loss, and Starbucks as a Higher Power.

©2003 Augusten Burroughs; ©2003 by Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"Mr. Burroughs remains ebulliently glib when it's useful, as befits his advertising skills....[He] remains adept at mixing comedy and calamity." (The New York Times)
"Like the alcohol he so enjoys, Burroughs' story of getting dry will go straight into your bloodstream and leave you buzzing, exhilarated, and wiped out...this memoir operates on a high level of involvement and suspense." (Kirkus Reviews)
"[A] wrenching, edifying journey...with the added benefit of being really entertaining." (The New York Times Book Reviews)
"Harrowing yet hilarious personal encounter....His performance blends self-deprecating black humor with wise-cracking confidence. His natural wit and charm keep the listener rooting for his success." (AudioFile)

spectacular

Augusten Burroughs is my favorite author. I have may of his books, but I hadn't read this one yet. This is my first Audible book and let me tell you, this one DID NOT disappoint! It was so hard to turn it off. The narration was superb and the delivery and timing was fantastic!

Raw, Entertaining, and Real

This is a fantastic story. The author portrays his reality very well while keeping the audience entertained. I listened to the audiobook which added some extra imagery I wasn’t expecting, such as tone (sarcasm, pity, etc) and even some different voices for different characters. All in all, I highly recommend it. It’s less about self help and getting on the clean and narrow, and more a memoir story told by someone who’s been through it. If you’re struggling with your demons, this book won’t give you the answers, but it will definitely let you know you’re not alone.

Not entirely a happy ending but happy none the less

I was definitely not anticipating such a story but it’s really great to hear just an honest buckwild story and one that definitely throws you for a loop

wow! (so glad I bought it)

I thought I'd listen to this but was kind of dreading it. But what a well written and read tale of true life. I wanted to listen because I know I'm drinking more than is good for me and it's hard to moderate, but haven't yet hit bottom or even had glaring problems (not many anyway). I like to listen to these stories as they give me hope that if this person can survive and rebound then I'm ok and not headed for hell. But this was a great life tale in it's own right. I think even people who aren't affected by a substance abuse problem or associated with someone close would still enjoy the story. It's not a crazy story, and it's not written in shocking cliffhangers - but it had me yearning to get in the car and drive just to listen.

Audible please...

So picture this, you're in your car in the last parts of the final chapter of a fantastic book and your mind is in reflecting over every word as you lose yourself to your thoughts.

As the final sentences begin Audible steps in,
"DID SOMEONE ORDER SOME FUCKING HIGH HATS!?"

Confusion strikes, you lose focus on the words that were written and are being spoken by the author and rage starts to slowly rise and boil over with the increasing volume of the shitty high hat loop that some dip shit at Audible thought might be a good idea.

You finish, no longer focused on the book, it's merits, it's drawbacks, it's composition is entirely lost to you.

Because of those God damn high hats.

good for your health

Augusten Burroughs wrote a fantastic story. his sarcasm and wit enters the memoir at all of the right parts, keeping you from crying at times. he describes his inner conflict and the struggles of being sober so well, it's uncanny to how I felt going through similarly rough times. it took about a half an hour to get used to his voice, the narration was almost shocking at first in comparison to the traditional soothing voice of audio book narrators, but after that half hour it made the memoir feel more real and genuine. fantastic!

One of the greatest!

This book is still Augusten Burrough's best work, in my opinion. He is such a gifted writer and has lived a chaotic, drama filled life. It sure does make for some amazing stories.

Witty, heartburning, and very real.

Amazing story. The dry humor was wonderful, and I am guessing insightful to someone on the road to dry. Great character development of main character from selfish prick to human.

Favorite

I've listened to this twice.... excellent story, and fantastically read by the author. One of my favorite books.

Amazing. Can't wait to listen to it again.

Instant re listen.
I'll listen to this over and over. I miss my own pig head. Top five favorite book.