★★★★☆
I am a huge Friends fan. I loved the show so much that I somehow managed to turn it into the subject of my undergraduate research project in college. The sarcastic Chandler Bing, played by Matthew Perry, was my favorite character on the show.
When I heard that Perry had a new memoir, I was hesitant to read it because I thought it might change how I viewed him and cast a shadow over one of my all-time favorite TV shows. But, when Audible kept suggesting it as a download, my curiosity won out, and I listened to this raw account of his life story.
There are a few interesting tidbits in the book about Perry, including his relationship with Justin Trudeau, his tennis successes, and how he and his childhood friends originated Chandler’s famous, “Could you be any more…” catchphrase. However, this is mainly a book about his lifelong struggle with addiction.
It was an extremely difficult listen, with the effects of his alcohol and drug addictions present throughout every page. You could literally hear the lasting effects of substance misuse in his voice as he recounted relapses, rehab stints, and damaged relationships. He spares no details about the devastation his addictions have had on his body.
Ultimately, I am glad I listened to this book. But, after hearing Perry tell what he was experiencing during the filming of Friends, it will be hard to watch and laugh at his scenes in the same way I did before.
