Book Club

[San Antonio Gal]

Having to drive on a long trip, I've been listening to the audiobook.  Matthew is the narrarator.  

His disease of addiction that has plagued him since his early days is awful.  He said he would have given up his fame and fortune not to have the disease.

It's a compelling story and towards the end he says he doesn't want to die and is scared of death.  Ironically a year later, he passes.  Such a sad situation.

If you're into audiobooks, I recommend this one.

[Spacrazy]

Thanks for the review @San Antonio Gal  I haven't gotten it yet because I was afraid it would be depressing. His death was so unexpected and alarming.

[Citrine1]

I read the book a few months ago.  I always thought I liked him, but realized it was Chandler Bing I liked, not Matthew Perry. 

 That's not to say that I don't sympathize with anyone who suffers with addiction.  

[beach-mom]

@San Antonio Gal - I haven't read it, but we gave it to DD, a huge fan of Friends, for Christmas. 

I have been to a lot of book signings with her, usually on a weekday night. In the past year we have driven hours to meet John Stamos, Idina Menzel, and Sarah Ferguson. He came to a book store about 45 minutes from us. When she asked me I had something else going on. She could have gone alone, but they wanted a lot of money for it. I told her I would pass because of the money they wanted, and surely he would tour again. So she decided to pass. 

He had everything, and nothing. He and Jennifer Aniston were very close. They were never romantically involved- that we know of - but she is having a hard time now. I think she was one of the last ones he talked to.

 I want to read this book.  

[San Antonio Gal]

@beach-mom  - I've really enjoyed the audiobook because it's Matthew himself talking about his life and struggles.  Ever since I listened to it the other day, it's been on my mind.

He seemed like a very nice guy and it's so sad that he lost his life at 54 to addiction.  I feel so bad for him and his loved ones.  I hope he's finally at peace now. 

(So cool that you got to meet John Stamos and Idina Menzel!  Love them both.)

[Ainhisg]

@San Antonio Gal it's a haunting book, isn't it?  If you do a forum search of the title of his book, you will see it mentioned in many threads.  Here is a review of the book I wrote last year in case it would inspire anyone to read it:

I just finished Friends, Lovers, And The Big Terrible Thing, by Matthew Perry.  I realize it has been out a long time, but his sad death made me want to read about him.  I was never a fan of Friends; I tried many times to watch it, but it just didn't resonate with me.  However, I did see a couple of movies Matthew Perry was in and thought him quite good.

I recommend this book even if you know little about this man.  It was very eye-opening concerning the feelings, thought processes, and lengths an addict will go to to get his drug of choice.  He also explained why an addict does what he does even though he knows it might kill him.  

He is a narcissist, but as the book proceeds, he shifts the blame more onto himself--not entirely--but more.  I can understand why his childhood (as seen from his perspective) turned him into the person he was. This man was a tortured soul.  He said several times in the book (paraphrasing) that he would trade places, giving everything up, to just be a normal person with normal problems.  

I don't know how all the drugs and alcohol didn't affect his brain more than it did, but this book was such an easy, albeit heartbreaking, read.  He is a master storyteller, andyou can tell he was extremely intelligent.  Towards the end, he talks about God giving him another chance--that his life has a purpose--but he died a year after the book came out.  I have to think that his final purpose was to allow a better understanding of (and hopefully better treatment for) the beast that addiction is.

[cody2]

I read the book before he passed. He had me convinced that he had finally taken control and found a higher purpose for his life. He had me convinced! And then he was gone.

[beckyb1012]

I read the book the day it came out and my heart just broke for him.  I realize his pain was self-inflicted but the pain he felt physically and emotionally was very real.  I read the book in less than two days, work days.  It is a book I recommend as well. 

[hkrgrl]

i read it right after he passed. 

very sad.  addiction is 24/7/365

[Tinkrbl44]

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@cody2 wrote:
I read the book before he passed. He had me convinced that he had finally taken control and found a higher purpose for his life. He had me convinced! And then he was gone.

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@cody2 

He drowned.