Dry by Augusten Burroughs | Review

After reading and enjoying Burroughs' first memoir Running with Scissors, I discovered that he had written a sort of sequel, which continued with another section of his life entitled Dry.

Dry is a memoir depicting, main-character, Augusten's struggle with alcoholism.

"I was addicted to Bewitched as a kid. I worshiped Darren Stevens the First. When he'd come home from work, Samantha would say, 'Daren, would you like me to fix you a drink?' He'd always rest his briefcase on the table below the mirror in the foyer, wipe his forehead with a monogrammed handkerchief and say, 'Better make it a double.'"
(Burroughs, Augusten. Dry. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2003.)

After a most unsettling upbringing, Burroughs appears to excel in his professional life, earning a fortune working for a top New York advertising agency. At the same time, his personal life is in shambles. He stays out each night excessively drinking, which leads to massive mouthfuls of mints, additional dabs of cologne in multiple attempts to hide his drunken or hungover state at work. His actions lead to his co-worker to intervene and demand that he attend a rehabilitation facility before returning to work.

Upon returning from rehab, Burroughs recounts the state of his Manhattan apartment as "squalor". He manages to detoxify his living space while battling a barrage of emotions and urges to return to the drink. I was impressed by Burroughs' ability to portray his psychological state of mind. His honest and raw emotions create vulnerability, which makes his character all the more real. The agony Burroughs goes through when his best friend suffers the symptoms of AIDS is heartbreaking. This memoir is a testament to the strength of a young man with a turbulent past.

I thoroughly enjoyed the memoir. I especially liked the way Burroughs lets all of himself hang out. He creates a text to which addicts can relate and gives great insight into the life of an addict. It is an inspirational piece for addicts, recovering addicts, and/or anyone with one in their life.

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I give this book a rating of 10/10 and here’s why:

Text: The language Burroughs uses is clear and unique. The story is told as only an alcoholic can tell it, but is surprisingly accessible to non-addict readers as well.

Dialogue: I found all of the speaking very accurate in further portraying the main character's persona.

Plot: Burroughs tells the plot in such a way that the reader is able to enter the mind of an addict.

Characters: Such a strong sense of character. In reading this memoir, I feel like I have a better understanding of what an addict is up against.