Book Review: ‘Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing’ by Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry’s new book, 'Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing', is the latest venture from “the funny guy” in one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, 'Friends'.

From his birth in 1969 to his current sobriety in 2023, Matthew Perry details his life dealing with his rise to fame, and his struggle with alcoholism and drug abuse. He describes the battle he faces every day from when he began drinking at 14 years old and using Vicodin up to 55 times a day when he was given them after a jet ski accident.

Matthew Perry at Policy Exchange. Picture Source: Policy Exchange

He recounts times when he’d fake migraines to get drugs or go to various open houses and look through medicine cabinets, which led to severe health problems giving him only a 2% chance of surviving. Despite all odds, Perry says he was “spared” and expresses gratitude for all the people in his life that helped him through even his darkest and lowest moments.

Most importantly, he continually spreads awareness about the disease of addiction and believes that his purpose is to help people overcome alcoholism and drug addiction.

This book is both heartbreaking and beautiful and definitely worth a read, especially if you are a fan of Friends.