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Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

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Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

By: Matthew Perry
Narrated by: Matthew Perry
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About this listen

'There's never been a more honest or raw memoir . . . and it may just save lives' Daily Mail

'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©2022 Matthew Perry (P)2022 Macmillan Audio
Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Comedy Inspiring Emotionally Gripping Funny Heartfelt Witty Stand-Up

What listeners say about Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

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Sad look behind the facade

These type of memoirs always serve as a solid reminder that no one’s life is perfect, no amount of fame and fortune can truly buy happiness. Was really insightful and I learnt a lot about addiction and Matthew Perry.

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8 people found this helpful

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thank you

Matty where to Start OMFG you have brought so much happiness into everyone's lives, yet struggled behind the scenes all through your life.
thank you for your honesty, your humour,your will to keep going.
when life knocks you down you have proven beyond all demons to get up and keep going.
never give up and thank you for sharing your story

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2 people found this helpful

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Goodbye Mattman 💔

I recommend this book to those who have friends or family or ones they love who are struggling with addiction. The view looks different now.

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Must read

What a story
Told so beautifully
I hope he was happy in the end
RIP Matthew Perry

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Must listen for Friends fans and addicts alike

Matthew does a great job of telling this long and complex story about his career, his struggle with addiction and his life, both family and romantic. Didn't press pause once and listened straight through. Thoroughly enjoyed.

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Incredible

Incredible! Couldn't stop listening. So insightful and inspiring. Well done for not giving up

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Amazing

what an honest insight into to a very complicated life. there is no doubt this will help other addicts and those close to them. amazing, simply amazing.

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Very moving story

Well worth the listen, Friends fan or not. He tells an incredible and utterly real story of resilience.

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Brave, honest and courageous

I find it difficult to review outside the above words. Mustn't have been easy reveal as much as he has unless he had truly learnt to have come to grips with his battles as on going as they are. I feel this may be lost on people that haven't struggled with addiction. I found it confronting and could relate at times. Appreciate the rare, honest, warts and all account. Thanks

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Not your usual celebrity autobiography

This is a very raw account of a life marred by addiction. Powerful and fragile all at the same time. Highly recommended!

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