Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: The powerful memoir from the beloved star of Friends

Matthew Perry

Nov 2022 · Headline · Narrated by Matthew Perry

About this audiobook

'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

Ratings and reviews

I bought the audio version read by Mathew himself, and have to say I found it disappointing. He pretty much slurs his way through it in a monotone voice, (I don't believe he was ever clean) divioid of the humour you would expect. It is a very self centred book, self pittying and all I took from it was that money really does not make some people at all happy. Quite depressing.

What a life! A brutally honest account of life as an addict from a young age. So grateful to not be in that hell, praying Matthew Perry manages to stay on the right side this time, one day at a time, because he has run out of lives. God be with you and guide you through.

a sad book to listen to especially now that Matty has passed. A real open book about his addiction and troubles and shows how people can look so good on the outside but be battling the biggest struggles of their lives. Also highlights how money can buy you anything and how many corrupt Drs/Nurses can be bought for the right price.

About the author

Matthew Perry was a Canadian American actor, executive producer, playwright and elegant dancer.