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)

Open and Honest

It grows on you... And stays with you.

Flawed but amusing - worth the listen

This book was flawed in several dimensions but was nevertheless worth the listen. The writing is a bit sophomoric and stilted, and the novel lacks much depth and color, but this is, of course, expected from a memoir of a long term alcoholic/drug addict. Finally, the ending is particularly unsatisfying both in not really resolving the issues and being a bit sappy. Nevertheless, Dry was well worth the listen. The narration by the author is snappy, clear, and focused. There are many amusing incidents, and the story provides an interesting viewpoint from the standpoint of a smart, creative, successful, gay alcoholic. The book flies by entertainingly and I was exposed to a unique perspective. Although there were more clich?s than I prefer, the clich?s and sappiness somehow fit the book pretty well. If you don't expect too much, I think you will find this a pleasant listen.

Enjoyed it!

This book is very different that's for sure, but I really liked it. The author/narrator did a good job narrating.

Loved Augusten before.....really love him now

Augusten is hilarious and brings a tough topic to the forefront with humor and grace. I LOVED running with scissors and this book is also amazing.

Thanks Augusten

Reading this book one month into abstinence was a great experience. Augusten put into words so many emotions I was feeling but could not describe. And very funny too.

Emotional roller coaster

I loved this book! If Mary Karr were a gay man in NYC, she couldn’t have written a more raw heartfelt and charming memoir. Leaves you wanting to order seltzer and smoke a pack of Marlboro reds on a stoop with him telling stories.

immediately sucked in

I loved this story and didn't want it to end. I was immediately sucked in realizing that I knew the story of Agustin from running with scissors. his childhood was nothing short of traumatizing. it's no wonder he wound up an alcoholic.

The writing was smart, funny, and easy to listen to. The characters were relatable and I loved his narrations.

I listen to a lot of books about people overcoming alcoholism and this is book is a great story. I wasn't ready for it to end. Will definitely listen to this book again.

Excellent. Not his top book, though.

This is a very good book, and I'd wholeheartedly recommend it over James Frey's book. (Which just blew up into a big controversy recently, after I'd just happened to listen to both.) I'd say you should read Running with Scissors first, as it's a great book on its own, and an important intro to this one. Magical Thinking is good too, but check out the other two first.

Pighead

I enjoy Augusteen's writing. It is crisp and clear. I can relate to hus addictive self and his self-absorption as this is how addicts are wired.

Brilliant

I love this author. Running with scissors is my all time favorite book, and this sequel satisfied my hunger. Brilliant,raw,funny, engaging. You will always remain my favorite author, just brilliant