After Magical Thinking, a collection of autobiographical pieces in which he appeared to be shamelessly imitating David Sedaris, Burroughs has more or less used up the rich comic legacy of his dysfunctional past, so that this latest collection, Possible Side Effects, is almost entirely confined to his day-to-day experiences in the present: a trip to a hotel, a visit to the doctor, the day he locked himself out of his apartment - things we all do. His second book, Dry, chronicled his young manhood as an alcoholic in advertising - a less singular experience, and consequently less interesting to read about. The book Running With Scissors was a hit because, even in the tortured childhood memoir genre, where the ante is being upped from minute to minute, Burroughs did have a striking tale to tell (though apparently much embellished, according to the various characters who subsequently brought lawsuits) and he told it with an appealing dark humour. Except that it's not unique any more, and only intermittently comical. And if you respect the cleverly crafted written word, Burrough’s talent will blow you away.As the film version of his first, bestselling memoir, Running With Scissors, prepares to open in Britain (after gruesomely bad reviews in the US), here comes Augusten Burroughs with yet more wry, comic tales of life drawn from his unique experience. If you have a heart for those who are lost or lonely or sad, this book will endear you. If you have a slightly sarcastic or dark sense of humor, this book will make you laugh. If you are drawn to books about alcohol recovery, this memoir will make you think.

Though not a technique condoned by A.A., it certainly makes for a fascinating listening experience.” …Burroughs believes that when rehab is over, he must walk into a bar to see if he can resist the temptation to drink. From Minnesota, Burroughs returns to New York and participates in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

“Burroughs’s slight Southern accent and gentle yet glib delivery should summon empathy on the listener’s part that may have been lost with another reader. Publishers Weekly describes it like this. And I fell in love with Augusten Burroughs all over again.ĭry is an autobiographical tale of the author’s struggle with alcohol addiction. When I learned recently that Burroughs has had a second memoir published, I didn’t hesitate to buy it. And his writing is simply this – captivating. When Augusten Burroughs had his first book, Running with Scissors, published in 2010, I read it.

As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (Affiliate links included for your convenience. Dry by Augusten Burroughs is a book that not only entertained me but moved me.

Dry by augusten burroughs