Rating: 
Summary: Putting Scissors in Perspective
Review: Unlike its predecessor, Running with Scisors, this is not only a side-creasingly funny book. It certainly starts that way, with Augusten staggering lower Manhattan streets powered by Dewar's and martinis, and there are some half-anticipated human oddities that tickle us along through the book. But there's something new here. Consequences. Yes, RWS was about abuse, but somehow we never felt Burroughs was getting hurt or causing harm; he almost told us as much. This time both fates befall him, though it takes a while for any of us to realise it. It's a deeper and more deliberately structured tale, and in some ways the better for that and for its pathos. I love the way we are growing with Augusten through these books. This time the experiences are not as unique as those in RWS, but go back to the earlier book and it's hard not to read it differently and with more, well, humanity, refracted through our knowledge of what is to come. P.S. Note to author for next edition: English people eat Marmite, not Vegemite.
Rating:
Summary: Dry in more ways than one!
Review: "Dry," Augusten Burroughs 'sequel' to "Running With Scissors," is very dry-witted, and, I felt, not quite as engaging as his previous book. I was still thoroughly entertained (if that's the correct word for being riveted by someone else's troubles), but Burrough's writing is crisp, his story bittersweet--and funny enough to make me laugh out loud. Better than Sedaris!
Rating: 
Summary: LOVE THIS BOOK
Review: This book is a must read for anyone going through recovery themselves, or with someone else. I have never read such an honest, open account of what it's like to be an addict, and go through recovery. This guy doesn't sugar coat a thing, it is what it is. I laughed and cried, and didn't want it to end.
Rating:
Summary: An eye-opener
Review: This book is a memoir of the author's battle with alcohol and drugs. The author is a gay man who came from an abusive background and became a successful ad writer and an out-of- control alcoholic. His account of his battle with alcohol is harrowing and devastating. He literally dissects his mind and puts into writing while detailing the thinking processes of an addict. The book is an eye opener regarding addiction. It is never a boring read...excellent overall.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly better than his first!
Review: (I thought I had written a review, but I'll write one again, anyway!) I really enjoyed this honest, moving, yet funny portrayal of Augusten's recovery from alcohol addiction. What I liked was that he didn't pull any punches. He didn't do his recovery perfectly, yet he took it seriously, for the most part. I liked that most of the book was on his recovery, how he tried to stay sober in a world that was still full of users and glorifying using. Most of the book is about what happens after he gets out of treatment, when he has to face the real world. I can relate to that. They say that treatment is about discovery and the 12 steps are about recovery, and Augusten really illustrates that point. This book brings out more honest and heart-felt emotions than in "Running with Scissors," even underneath the wry sense of humor. I got the feeling by the end of the book Augusten becomes more truly human. I wanted to get to know Augusten by the end of his first memoir; by the end of this one, I wanted to become his friend.
Rating:
Summary: A Simply Wonderful Read
Review: Addiction is not funny. And recovery is not entertaining. Unless, that is, these subjects are in the hands of Augusten Burroughs. Then, it is not merely unexpectedly funny and entertaining but appropriately poignant and touching as well. In DRY, the follow-up to his bestselling memoir RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, Burroughs is all grown up and working in the cutthroat world of advertising. To cope with his high stress and demanding career, not to mention the issues and trauma surrounding his childhood, Burroughs drinks. And drinks. And drinks. In order to keep his job, Burroughs checks himself into a 30-day rehabilitation program. With the support of the rehab staff and his fellow patients, he starts to evaluate his drinking and his life, soon admitting to his alcoholism. But when he finds himself back at work, surrounded by old friends, enemies and drinking buddies, sobriety proves to be a difficult challenge. With sobriety, Burroughs must not only come to terms with his friendship with HIV positive Pighead, he must also make painful choices about new friends and lovers. Sober living is, of course, not without its temptations and Burroughs is honest that not all of his post-rehab decisions were good ones. But honesty is a key component in DRY; it is never lacking in this memoir. Powered by lots of coffee and fresh insight, Burroughs is just as hilarious in describing his navigation of a life clean and sober as he is in describing his drunken escapades. The supporting cast is full of similarly neurotic figures, which just goes to show you that everyone has an interesting story to tell. Burroughs, however, concentrates on his own and the book reads like a cross between a great tale told to close friends, a stand-up routine and, most often, a therapeutic catharsis. DRY is simply wonderful. It is a frightening look at an awful situation and a difficult triumph told in Burroughs's unique and hysterically funny voice. Comparisons with the work of David Sedaris are obvious, but Burroughs has a much darker and grittier side and his observances are most often pointed inward, resulting in a bittersweet and heartbreaking tale told with sarcasm, wit and laugh-out-loud moments. Augusten Burroughs is a natural storyteller and his best stories are about himself. DRY is not always comfortable, but it is never predictable and is thoroughly rewarding. From happy hours lasting until the next day with his mortician friend, to the silly and sad rituals of rehab and recovery, from bad news boyfriends to the bedside of the ever-patient Pighead, DRY is an easy read but a hard emotional journey. It is a hip and eccentric addition to a genre that is often dull, sappy or whitewashed. For those wondering what happened to the little boy in RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, and for those meeting Burroughs for the first time in DRY, you are sure to be challenged, appalled, inspired and enchanted. --- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
Rating: 
Summary: As much as I loved Running with Scissors. . .
Review: this book was a big disappointment. This is the Burroughs of Sellevision, not the absolutely fascinating Burroughs of Running with Scissors. If you enjoyed Sellevision, his overly long, beyond mean-spirited attack on Sally Struthers may amuse you. I though it was cheap and offensive and simply stopped caring about how that boy from Running with Scissors turned out.
Rating:
Summary: 100% honest....for the most part
Review: This book reaches out and touches you. In a world of cliches about addiction and recovery, this book was cliche free. The author paints with all colors, and humor is one of his stong points. My impression was that Mr. Burroughs goes a bit over the top when describing his wild days. But that's the idea, ALL RECOVERING ADDICTS DO, and he is in recovery. The author trys to be honest as he can be. Anyone who doubts the reality of this book needs to attend an AA meeting. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Augusten does it again!
Review: "Dry" is possibly better than "Running With Scissors." In it, Augusten Burroughs gives us a funny, but hardly light-hearted, look at his alcohol addiction and recovery. At first he pooh-poohs the idea he might have a problem, and wants to run away from the run-down rehab center he checks himself into. But along the way, something clicks, and he realizes that yes, he does have a problem, and he has to do something about it. Recovery, though, proves to be more difficult than it's advertised to be, and most of the book is dedicated to Augusten adjusting to trying to maintain sobriety in a hostile world, complete with a friend dying of AIDS, a forbidden lover whose first love is crack, and a jealous co-worker who tries to tip Augusten off the wagon. Sobriety is not for wimps, and Augusten -- and the readers -- learn this lesson the hard way. A must read for all Augusten fans and those who are struggling with any kind of addiction.
Rating:
Summary: TRULY AMAZING!
Review: I thought Running with Scissors was as good as it gets, boy was I wrong! Dry is an incredible memoir from start to finish. Don't look for a boring moment in this book, because you just won't find it. Augusten's tales of rehab, and the subsequent lifestyle that follows are highly entertaining. He details success, friendship, love, and loss in a funny and poignant manner. His formerly wild lifestyle is on display for all the world to see. If you read Running with Scissors, this is a necessity. Dry is the kind of book that leaves the reader craving more.
|
