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Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing
- Narrated by: Matthew Perry
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
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Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing
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Summary
'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
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What listeners say about Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 03-11-22
Kind of whimper
I really like Matthew Perry as an actor. I loved the whole 9 yards and Chandler was always my favorite, I even liked him better than Joey. I have a soft spot for funny guys. I pre-odered the book and was really looking forward to it. I don't judge him for being addict. But I was kind of disappointed in him after this book. Because he blamed so much his parent for his addiction and could not get over being sent to visit his father alone at 5 years old. By plane in America. It's not like you have been deported to Siberia by train in anmal wagon - get over it. If you are 40+ years and still blaming your parents....But maybe it is beause he has no children. After having my own and specially after they turned into teenage years I have stopped blaming my parents of everything. Parents (mostly) are truly trying their best and seeing their child struggle breaks their heart into million pieces...and you relise this only after being a parent yourself. But I do feel for him, I know the feeling your brain trying to kill you too well. He has done a lot of good in helping others reach sobrierty. And the book was all in all a good listen
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12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D Armstrong
- 08-11-23
This book will save lives
Honestly, I never liked Matthew Perry and didn't want to buy this book at all. But since his passing, I was interested to hear what he had gone through and now I feel humbled. Yes, he was egotistical, selfish, self pitying and so on BUT if you can listen to the undercurrent in this book you will hear how afraid, lonely, desperate and out of control he was. It will open eyes about addiction and dispel the myth that money can fix everything. It is also funny and scathing in parts, particularly about detox programmes. Even more powerful listening to him read it. I would highly recommend.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- NatashaF
- 26-11-23
A moving memoir
I liked all of it - highly recommend! It documents the rollercoaster struggle Matthew has been on & it is life affirming to hear, especially read by Matthew himself
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julie Langford
- 25-01-24
Honesty and lucidity
Storytelling with shocking honesty. What a great shame that hi story ends as it does
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr
- 05-11-22
A brittle man in gods hands!
Matty narrates this with honesty and uber openess! Factual with references to a YoutTube Friends and the BBC interviews
I ended the book with a 'Keep fighting Matty' BIG HUG attitude, Its not over yet I fear!
Matty has faith and obviousl very talented.
Finished in 3 days, Loved it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ebony
- 17-11-22
Sad and honest
I had no idea the struggles that Matthew suffered and feel guilty that I didn't notice when watching Friends. I have addicts in my life and this gave me perspective on their outlooks so I am grateful for the compassion I now feel. This is no light read and sometimes meanders but I found the narration and 'story line' good, interesting, and harrowing. I hope Matthew finds his peace, with or without someone by his side.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 19-11-22
Excellent
Very insightful
And very emotional . A brave true story .
A must read and inspiring . Great
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Myumyun Yakub
- 23-11-22
Great book!
Great book, so sad but so interesting and honest. I finished it for 1 day and it was captivating!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M
- 27-11-22
Great work
Loved this book, great insight into the fact that not all rich and famous people lead the life you think, and they do have problems (some very major ones). I also love the fact he narrated it himself it really brings you into the story
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Miss Nicola richings
- 30-11-22
Honest and raw
Although slightly confusing timeline a very honest insight to his addiction and life. I hope he finds peace
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