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Dry: A Memoir Paperback – April 1, 2004
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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. Regular. Ordinary. But when the ordinary person had to 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 landed in rehab, where his dreams of group therapy with Robert Downey, Jr., are immediately dashed by the 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 real. Dry is the story of love, loss, and Starbucks as a higher power.
- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPicador
- Publication dateApril 1, 2004
- Dimensions5.41 x 0.84 x 8.32 inches
- ISBN-100312423799
- ISBN-13978-0312423797
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About the Author
Augusten Burroughs is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Running with Scissors, Magical Thinking, and, most recently, Possible Side Effects, which have also been New York Times bestsellers and are published around the world. A film version of Running with Scissors was adapted for the screen by Ryan Murphy. Augusten has been named one of the fifteen funniest people in America by Entertainment Weekly. He lives in New York City and western Massachusetts.
Product details
- Publisher : Picador; Reprint edition (April 1, 2004)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0312423799
- ISBN-13 : 978-0312423797
- Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.41 x 0.84 x 8.32 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #980,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,241 in Alcoholism Recovery
- #5,163 in Author Biographies
- #29,239 in Memoirs (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Augusten Burroughs is the author of the autobiographical works "Running with Scissors," "Dry," "Magical Thinking," "Possible Side Effects" and "A Wolf at the Table," all of which were New York Times bestsellers. "Running with Scissors" remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over two consecutive years and was made into a Golden Globe-nominated film starring Annette Bening. His only novel, "Sellevision," is currently in development as a series for NBC. "Dry," Augusten's memoir of his alcoholism and recovery, is being developed by Showtime. In addition, Burroughs is currently creating an original prime-time series for CBS. Augusten's latest book is called "You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas."
Twice named to Entertainment Weekly's list of the funniest people in America, Augusten has also been the subject of a Vanity Fair cover story and a Jeopardy! answer. His books have made guest appearances in two James Patterson novels, one Linkin Park music video, numerous television shows and a porn movie.
Augusten has been a photographer since childhood and many of his images can be seen on his website, www.augusten.com. He lives in New York City.
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It's a treat to root for Augusten in his recovery journey and it made me want to stay on my path of dry January. The book feels like a friend you can rely on to keep you steady and sober for the month/ sober forever.
And it's such a good book that it's easy to get lost in it. Augusten Burroughs has a way of writing that truly invites you to get lost since it's all so captivating. Maybe it's the mess and craziness of his life. But it's all so fascinating! I loved his book Running with Scissors and remembered getting lost in that one and breezing through it quickly. I didn't expect the same for this book, but I totally fell in love with it.
I definitely would recommend this whether you're trying to get sober, evaluating cutting back your alcohol intake or just looking for a fun, interesting book to read!
Burroughs was an advertising executive who hated his work and many of the people working with him. He saw through the slick advertising profession but admitted that he was basically a shallow person. In some ways, he felt as though he belonged and in other ways he was sickened by the superficiality of the world he inhabited. He drowned his sorrows in alcohol. His world is further complicated when an ex-boyfriend becomes HIV-positive and then develops full-blown AIDS and he becomes involved with a recovering addict he meets in group therapy during his first recovery period.
There is very little explicit sex in this book, but those who are uncomfortable with any physical contact between men are warned to stay away.
This book didn't produce any laughs for me the way Running with Scissors did and didn't have the strong emotions of Wolf at the Table. There is something kind of weird about the fact that the person whom he loves the most in this book is called "Pighead." Kind of a telling commentary on a rather sad story of emptiness in the advertising world, in the bars and on the streets, and in the beds people share. But I was struck by the love between the author and his ex-boyfriend, and it was touching to see him take care of his sick friend.
I was happy that the boy I came to care about finally said no to death and yes to a more authentic life as a freelance writer and finally a sober person who isn't thumbing his nose at AA meetings anymore, knowing that the emotional support they offer is invaluable. I hope that he will continue to grow and I wish him a life of peace and love.
I can't give this book less than five stars because it is so well-written. I read it quickly in two sessions. But it's the sort of book that doesn't do much for your soul--it's a scary commentary on certain aspects of modern life.










