Book Review: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing the late Matthew Perry’s memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing was published in November 2022 by Macmillan Publishers and is 272 pages long.

What It’s About
The memoir delves into Perry’s struggles with addiction and mental health issues, shedding light on the challenges he faced while navigating fame and success.

Characters
Matthew Perry, the beloved Friends star, is the central character here. He has always been a fan favourite for his perfect comic timing and memorable film and TV roles. However, his memoir paints a more personal picture of the actor’s life, revealing his struggles with addiction and other personal demons.

Writing Style
Perry’s writing style is engaging and entertaining, making the book a wonderful read for fans of the actor.

The book’s title itself is intriguing and sets the tone for a deeply personal and revealing account of Perry’s life and struggles as he takes us on a journey through his rise to fame as one of the beloved cast members of the hit TV series Friends, as well as through the various challenges and setbacks he faced in his personal life.

One of the most impressive aspects of the memoir is Perry’s willingness to face his demons and take accountability for his actions. He openly discusses his battles with substance abuse, which he admits led to some of the darkest moments in his life and his struggles with depression.

It’s a brave thing for a person to share such personal struggles in such a soul-baring way, and If nothing else, Perry certainly was brave and should be commended for doing so.

In writing about these struggles, he also sheds light on the support he received from his friends, family and colleagues during his recovery, including his co-stars from Friends.

Throughout the book, Perry also reflects on past romances and how they shaped him as a human being. From high-profile celebrity flings to more meaningful connections, he bares it all in an effort to connect with readers on a deep, vulnerable level, which is truly admirable and adds another layer to his already complicated persona.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is a must-read for anyone seeking insight into the complexities of fame, addiction, love, friendship, and personal growth.

By opening up about his past experiences in such a raw and authentic way, Perry has created a narrative that is both relatable and inspiring. Whether you are a fan of Friends, Matthew Perry’s or even memoirs in general, I think you will appreciate this one.

I am giving this a 10/10.

Have you read Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing? What did you think?

As always, thank you for stopping by to read my review.

Until next time,

George

© 2024 GLT



Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

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8 replies

  1. It sounds like a much deeper book than I might have anticipated, and I think that’s really refreshing when so many memoirs tend to be super-shiny. Such a sad loss.

    Thanks for sharing the review.

    Like

  2. RIP Matthew Perry. I’ve only seen him in Friends but it’s still sad to learn about his struggles. His memoir has been on my TRL and I’m hoping to read it before the year ends. Thank you for the great review!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks, Claire! I know, it’s such a shame. He has been in several good films and TV shows but Friends is by far what he will be membered for by most. Chandler Bing is one of TV’s most iconic characters.

      Like

    • Mary Jane Kalnas's avatar

      Matthew Perry did a number of shows as a quest spot. Growing Pain, 90210, he plays tennis in that quest role. 3 episodes of the West Wing. Also the Ron Clark Story very uplifting. 3 to tango. Fools rush In, The whole Nine Yards, with Bruce Willis. Both very funny.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I listened to the audio book and it was fantastic and read by Matt. I ugly cried when I first heard his voice, and the book was great

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Blanca Hernandez's avatar

    RIP Matthew: I have read and also heard your book on Audible. It is wonderful book. It give you an insight to an addicts life. You were truthful and honest about your addiction.

    I am so sorry you felt unloved. You were greatly loved. We all miss you so much. You will be greatly missed 😢

    Liked by 1 person

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