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Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

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Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

By: Matthew Perry
Narrated by: Matthew Perry
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About this listen

 'There's never been a more honest or raw memoir . . . and it may just save lives' Daily Mail

'Funny, fascinating, compelling . . . also a wonderful read for fans of Friends' The Times

'HI, MY NAME IS MATTHEW, although you may know me by my full name. My friends call me Matty.'

So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who travelled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us . . . and so much more.

In an extraordinary story that only he could tell - and in the heartfelt, hilarious, and warmly familiar way only he could tell it - Matthew Perry lays bare the fractured family that raised him (and also left him to his own devices), the desire for recognition that drove him to fame, and the void inside him that could not be filled even by his greatest dreams coming true. But he also details the peace he's found in sobriety and how he feels about the ubiquity of Friends, sharing stories about his castmates and other stars he met along the way. Frank, self-aware, and with his trademark humour, Perry vividly depicts his lifelong battle with addiction and what fuelled it despite seemingly having it all.

'An unflinching and often harrowing must-read for 90s pop culture fans' Guardian

'Written with Chandler's trademark sarcasm and self-deprecation' Telegraph

'A hopeful read . . . I started to think of [it] not as a celebrity memoir about addiction, but as an addiction memoir written by a man who understands his own history through the prism of showbiz' Independent©2022 Matthew Perry (P)2022 Macmillan Audio Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Comedy Inspiring Emotionally Gripping Funny Heartfelt Witty
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Honest, heartbreaking, insightful, and just a really powerful story. I was drawn in immediately and compelled to listen to the whole book as fast as I could. Am important book.

Incredible story

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I think we all knew to differing extents what Matthew Perry was going through behind the scenes; but not to this extent.

I had no idea.

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Im not sure if it was the fact that this is narrated by Matthew himself or the fact the story of the struggles with addiction was told with such honesty but i found myself in tears and wanting to give him a big hug to say it will be ok

Raw and emotional

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Saying I thoroughly enjoyed this book seems inappropriate somehow. A very honest and raw look into the life of Matthew Perry who is a drug and alcohol addict. A truly great read.

Wow. A very explicit look into the life of an addict.

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I read this in 3 days. I’ll never think of Matt the same. What a raw and honest look into the life, fame & story of addiction & recovery of an incredible human.
Wishing him all the best for the future.

Laughter, Tears and Some Suprises

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beautiful and honest hope Matthew has found his peace. loved hearing him read it

honest

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Matthew Perrys's memoir is raw and honest, at times dark yet funny but very interesting. if you've ever doubted that true addiction exists, listen to this one.

Not at all what I expected.

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Really enjoyed Mathew telling his story of near total physical & mental destruction and his journey toward his daily recovery practices. I had no idea about any of this until now. What a hero.

It’s funny too. Could he BE any funnier?!?

Thanks Matty, stay well one day at a time 🙌🏼🙏🏼❤️

Engaging, Loved it!!

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This book is heavier going than I expected but Perry's humour means it is still very easy to listen to. The narration sounds a bit slurred I think due to Perry's mouth surgery, but I listened on 1.75 speed so I couldn't hear the slur.
Clearly this book was originally meant to be called unaccompanied as that phrase is mentioned so many times throughout the book.
I don't think I'll watch Friends in quite the same way again. it's weird to think of everything that was going on for Perry at the time. I really hope he stays sober as he's put so much work into it.

brutally honest insight into addiction

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Captivating. As a book it was a very insightful and informative read about addiction in the social context. It challenges us to reconsider what we value and our external search happiness.
Thank you Mathew for opening up your world and letting me look inside.

Thank you Mathew

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