52 pages 1 hour read

Matthew Perry

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2022

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing is a memoir by Matthew Perry detailing the impact of his parents' divorce on his childhood, his teenage success as a tennis player, and his rise to fame as Chandler Bing on Friends. The book explores Perry's battle with substance addiction, his fear of abandonment, and the dichotomy between the fantasy and reality of fame. The narrative is frank and darkly humorous. The book includes descriptions of substance use and addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

In Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew Perry delivers a candid memoir that resonates with authenticity. Reviewers praise his heartfelt and raw recounting of struggles with fame and addiction. However, some critiques highlight occasional disjointed narrative elements. Overall, a poignant and engaging read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing?

Readers who enjoy memoirs about personal struggles and triumphs will be captivated by Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry. Fans of Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher and Wild by Cheryl Strayed will appreciate the candid storytelling and emotional depth in Perry's account of his life and career.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Arts / Culture

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Mental Illness

Themes

Identity: Mental Health

Emotions/Behavior: Regret

Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness

Genre

Humor

Biography