Guts

The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster

By: Kristen Johnston

Narrated by: Kristen Johnston

Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

"It felt like I was speeding on the Autobahn toward hell, trapped inside a DeLorean with no brakes. And even if I could somehow stop, I'd still be screwed, because there's no way I'd ever be able to figure out how to open those insane, cocaine-designed doors."

The two-time Emmy Award-winning actress has written her first book, a surprisingly raw and triumphant memoir that is outrageous, moving, sweet, tragic, and heartbreakingly honest. Guts is a true triumph - a memoir that manages to be as frank and revealing as Augusten Burroughs, yet as hilarious and witty as David Sedaris.

With Guts, Johnston takes us on a journey so truthful and relatable, so remarkably fresh, it promises to stay with the listener for a long, long time.

©2012 Kristen Johnston (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

crossroads

6 stars!
I had no idea that I was an addict until I heard a story like hers. I thought I was all alone, but she pinpointed just what I was, an over performing, over busy, over sexed alcoholic. Very ambitious I am also, but the emptiness the same makes you feel like drinking at 9am. I'm almost in tears as to how she describes my life. this is a must read. I pulled on the side of the road to write this...thanks Kristen

Just as outrages as the characters she plays!

Would you listen to Guts again? Why?

Yes, I would! I am sure with all the Laughing Out Loud I missed some of the story. She is as funny as ever even given the seriousness of the topic. Kristen tells her story of failures and triumphs in a light hearted manner with a serious undertone. Her insights into addiction and how it affects those who are addicted is a view that many people do not get to hear. How their denial keeps them into thinking they are invencible and that nothing is wrong no matter how serious the situation really is. How they convence themselves that even if there is a medical emergency that something else caused it and not the drugs. How addiction takes ahold of someone's life and is very difficult to break away from and step out of the denial.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kristen Johnston of coarse as she is at the center of the storm of her follies and triumph.

Which character – as performed by Kristen Johnston – was your favorite?

"Laura" the costume designer, because of her brutal honesty to Kristen about her lying and drug addiction.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book will make you laugh and cry all at the same time. The stories of her childhood, hollywood experience, and the depths of her addiction. In her sarcastic tone brings some light to such a deep dark subject of addiction and the trama it causes.

Any additional comments?

Wether you know her from 3rd Rock from the Sun or not you should listen to this book!

Unexpectedly Great

My daughter and I are big 3rd Rock from the Sun fans, so I was really excited to hear this book. Johnston was amazingly funny and real in this book. Her story of her addiction was inspiring and very "real".

Wonderful!

I loved it! She's very funny and very honest about addiction. I loved what she says at the end

A serious, yet humorous look inside addiction

I only planned on listening to this book during my drive to and from work every day, but Kristen's narrative style had me so entranced that I spent my lunch hour listening to the book and would even listen to it once I got home in the evening. I wanted to make the story last forever because she was so entertaining, but I was also impatient to get to the next point in the story.

What I liked the most was that Kristen is very frank. She is not a celebrity that is all over the tabloids so I did not have a preconceived idea of who she was before listening to her book, I was just familiar with her from 3rd Rock. She does a good job of describing part of her childhood and what led her to becoming an actress, but the book does not become a lengthy autobiography. From the beginning, we know the book is about Kristen's battle with addiction and that remains the focal point of the book.

Perhaps it is her training as an actress that allows Kristen to tell a story that is so captivating. I truly enjoyed listening to her voice because she is very expressive. Her impressions of the British doctors and nurses from her stay in a London hospital were great to listen to.

My biggest complaint about the book was it seemed too short. It would be nice to know more about how her life is now as a sober person.

Treacherous, hilarious, and wonderful

Great listen. Highly recommend. Raw and real. Entertaining and funny. Apparently audible wants all the words. Four words remaining now.

Wow

I could not put this book down. Kristen is a fabulous storyteller who uses her strengths in comedy to send a very real, heartfelt, heartbreaking, and inspiring story. Anyone who has been touched by addiction, either as a user or a loved one, should listen. Addiction doesn't care about what zip code you live in, it can happen to anyone at anytime. I hate that she had to endure such pain, but going public with her story as a celebrity, helps to destigmatize the illness. I already loved her as an actress, but now I have tremendous respect for her as a person and a survivor. Highly recommend.

Fantastic

fantastic I loved that she told her own story. and that as humans we all have addiction. coffee. nicotine.sex. collecting stuff etc.... I have always been a fan of 3 Rd rock. very inspiring. thank you .

Thank you Kristen

Your truth came so close to home for me, family and/or of friends. I truly admire your honesty. You’re so very talented and I wish you continued success.

loved it

I loved it hope she writes more loved that she narrated it herself I was so sad when the book was over