Reviews for Dry by Augusten Burroughs highlight its raw and candid portrayal of addiction recovery, praised for humor and emotional depth. Readers appreciate Burroughs' authentic voice and narrative engagement. Some critics, however, find the tone inconsistent and the subject matter heavy. Overall, it's an impactful memoir balancing dark themes with wit.

Fans of candid memoirs with dark humor will appreciate Dry by Augusten Burroughs. Readers who enjoyed the raw, confessional styles in A Million Little Pieces by James Frey and Running with Scissors by Burroughs himself will be captivated by this exploration of addiction and recovery. This book is ideal for those who enjoy gritty, introspective narratives.

Dry by Augusten Burroughs is a darkly humorous memoir detailing his journey from addiction to sobriety, starting with his life as a successful but heavily drinking advertising copywriter, leading to a rehabilitation stint at the Proud Institute, and following his struggles and progress post-rehab, including relapse, recovery, and grappling with personal loss and relationships. The memoir addresses the author's experiences of childhood sexual abuse.

Melancholic / Bittersweet / Challenging / Emotional / Humorous

- Dry is Augusten Burroughs' second memoir, following his bestselling debut Running with Scissors, and it explores his battle with alcoholism.
- The memoir was adapted into an off-Broadway play in 2005 by director and screenwriter Mary Pat Gleason.
- Augusten Burroughs originally worked in advertising before becoming a full-time writer, a career path he humorously critiques in Dry.

**Augusten Burroughs**  
A sardonic and witty narrator who navigates life with a no-holds-barred approach, initially working as an advertising copywriter and grappling with alcoholism and its impact on his personal and professional life.

**Pighead**  
A mortgage banker and Burroughs's close friend, whose relationship with Burroughs remains platonic but deeply important, offering a poignant connection as both face personal challenges.

**Hayden**  
A fellow patient in rehab with Burroughs, recovering from a crack addiction, whose cynical view and defiance mirror Burroughs’s own journey, forming a bond that supports their recovery.

**Foster**  
A fellow rehab patient, described as "painfully handsome" and a significant temptation for Burroughs, representing a complicated mix of charm and instability that impacts Burroughs’s recovery.

**Greer**  
Burroughs’s tightly controlled partner at the advertising agency, known for her wicked humor and role in confronting Burroughs about his drinking, persistently supporting his path to rehab despite their frequent arguments.

**Jim**  
Burroughs’s drinking buddy and kindred spirit in their mutual indulgence, known for his stories from his job as a mortician and representing the carefree drinking lifestyle Burroughs eventually seeks to leave behind.

Augusten Burroughs

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

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