Dry

A Memoir

By: Augusten Burroughs

Narrated by: Augusten Burroughs

From the New York Times Bestselling author of Running With Scissors comes the story of one man trying to out-drink his memories, outlast his demons, and outrun his past.

"I was addicted to "Bewitched" as a kid. I worshipped Darren Stevens the First. When he'd come home from work and Samantha would say, ‘Darren, would you like me to fix you a drink?' He'd always rest his briefcase on the table below the mirror in the foyer, wipe his forehead with a monogrammed handkerchief and say, ‘Better make it a double.'" (from Chapter Two)

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.

Awesome perspective

Spouse of a 120 day recovered alcoholic, this book helped me try and understand. Couldn't put it down. Very humorous in parts.

Felt nothing like homework.

Well I want to say first that I’ve assigned myself five random googled highly rated memoirs that personally resonated with me (I may or may not be or have been an alcoholic) to read as homework on writing/format techniques. May I just say that I picked two memoirs by this same author without knowing it...which says a lot. I’m on my way to “read” running with scissors next. I have the physical copy of each as well but Augusten reading this book to me was so colorful and elaborate, I now prefer to read the next the same way. Before I attempt to write my own book in this small space I want to say I truly recommend DRY and it felt as if I knew the characters. Great read. Augusten, “you ARE somebody”.

Great story!

Loved this story. Listened to it straight through to the end. I highly recommend it

loved it

this book was absolutely fantastic. and paints a very clear picture of what life as an alcoholic is

Wow wow wow

Such an incredible story! We are all lucky to still be alive and have a chance to share experience, strength & hope with one another. Thank you for this book!