Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry on March 14, 2024
Genres: Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs
Pages: 272
Format: Audiobook
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After the tragic death of Matthew Perry, I HAD to read this one! I (and every person in the world) LOVED Friends! You think you have an idea of who someone is by watching them every week, but you really don’t! This one was sad and real and will resonate deeply with readers.
“Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.”
This is how Perry’s book starts out, so it’s a little chilling in the wake of what happened. I listened to this one on audio and his voice wasn’t at all what I expected. I expected the more upbeat joking voice of Chandler Bing. What I got was the real Matthew Perry. He described how he was so anxious to start a life of fame and his journey to becoming famous. He describes his life as a scared five year old boy on a plane, flying from one parent to the other. His parent’s divorce is something he talks about a lot in his book and is something he never really got over. I feel like it left a deep fracture in him that was almost beyond repair. It was this desire for recognition (at first from his parents) that drove his need for fame so fiercely.
He goes on to describe how he had an accident that led to his addiction problems. And how he self medicated after this accident to keep feeling numb, emotionally. He tells the story with more humor that I would be able to imagine doing so. I personally think he is extremally talented and can entertain like no one else!
You never realize how alone someone can really feel by getting a glimpse into their life. I would think with all the fame and money, Perry would be beyond happy, but in the end he was that lonely boy just wanting his parents attention.
This one made me cry and laugh. I highly recommend this book for any FRIENDS fans out there. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry is a remarkable memoir that offers an intimate and enlightening glimpse into personal experiences while extending a compassionate hand to those grappling with sobriety. With unwavering candor, poignant storytelling, and a dash of uproarious humor, this book fulfills the anticipation of devoted readers, delivering a narrative that resonates deeply.