There are some books you want to look through the reviews before you decide if you want to pick it up or not, then there are others you just want to read for yourself. Matthew's book was one that I wanted to read for myself. Though in looking through the reviews now that I have finished it, I realize either someone loves it or does not, there is no in-between it seems.
Before I write any more of my review - I want to point out that I am 99.9% certain I read a Kindle version that was edited to remove whatever there was about Keanu. So if someone is reading my review wondering why I don't mention it, I cannot comment on what I did not read. --- One more observation, from the reviews I did look through, it seems that most people who *listened* to the book disliked it more than those who *read* it. Seems listening to it make it more difficult to follow the already jumping timeline. Again, just my observation.
From the beginning Matthew tells us how this story is going to be written/told. How? you ask? "Groundhog Day" is his favorite movie, do I really need to say anything more? If you do not understand this reference, please take the time (1 hour and 40 minutes) to watch the 1993 classic movie with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Then perhaps more things will make sense for you.
Thankfully I have never been an alcoholic or an addict, however, I have known several in my life. For them every day is groundhog day. Every morning the question of, "How will I get through today without a drink/pill/smoke/etc." makes every 24 hours the same. Matthew shows that in spades with his repetition throughout his story. Many of the reviews I saw complained about the repetition; if they don't understand it, perhaps they should count themselves lucky not to. To have never known someone who lives every day like this; or to not be that person themselves.
Matthew's story didn't end all sunshine-and-rainbows with a happily every after. Not everyone's does. I appreciated the fact that he kept it real. That he kept it honest. That he shows his faults to us just as much as he shows us the goodness. Life isn't always polished and pretty no matter who you are or how much money you have. Matthew proves that. No matter how bad things seemed to be for him, Matthew always looked to his future, he always wanted to be there. Perhaps not always for the right reasons, but reasons that kept him moving forward nonetheless. There is something to be admired about that.
Interestingly, one of my favorite lines reads, "God looked down on me, just waiting it out. He's got all the time in the world. F*<k, he invented time." There is something raw and honest and scary and funny in those words that just made me stop reading and literally highlight it in my Kindle book. Follow that with another line I highlighted that reads, "It was an amazing moment and a terrible moment all at at the same time." Talk about defining life most days. Perhaps not Pulitzer winning writing, but powerful and truthful just the same.
I have to say my all-time favorite sentence is this one - "God is everywhere - you just have to clear your channel, or you'll miss it." Doesn't matter what version of God you believe in, that sentence has a profound truth to it. (That one got highlighted in pink) Not something I would have expected from Matthew. But I am grateful he wrote it.
I am easily giving this book all five stars for it's raw honesty, it's openness, it's imperfectness. Just like Matthew.
Yes, I finally read his story after his sudden death on October 28, 2023. As I'm writing this on November 24, 2023, his cause of death still has not been determined nor released. Which makes one last sentence stand out for me in a premonition kind of way as I wonder what COD will turn out to be... Matthew himself wrote, "I could have a cigarette right now, have a heart attack, and if no one was around to call 911, I was a goner." Well, he was home alone, and he did try to call 911 himself, but he was unable to save himself this time. Oh, Matthew.
I wonder if you have finally found peace and all the deep, full Love you have always desired. Thank You for leaving a light on for us with your story. I pray it helps more people so that you may continue helping people even after you've gone on ahead of us in death.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Popular Highlights in this book
“Drinkers think they are trying to escape, but really they are trying to overcome a mental disorder they didn’t know they had.”Highlighted by 2,739 Kindle readers- I’m not the biggest fan of confrontation. I ask a lot of questions. Just not out loud.Highlighted by 2,590 Kindle readers
- I think you actually have to have all of your dreams come true to realize they are the wrong dreams.Highlighted by 2,554 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:07
Click to play video
Would We Be Friends? A Journey Fighting Addiction/Depression
Pugsicle
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
A survivor's story, bravery over suicide
In a time when we have lost so many amazing people to suicide and drug overdose (often done for the same reason) it is so powerful that Matty (as he prefers to be called) speaks up and shares his struggles. So many people think that if they just become rich or famous their troubles disappear. How anyone can continue thinking that after Robin Williams, Marilyn Monroe, Freddie Prinze, etc I will always wonder yet it continues. First of all I highly recommend everyone look up The Station by Robert Hastings. It's a poem that will really open your eyes about what is important in life, if you let it.But I digress. Matty's journey into despair and addiction is rolled out for you. He is brutally honest but with enough of that Matthew Perry charm thrown in to keep it from getting too dark/depressing. He is frank, and shares it all. I am sure that this was cathartic to him but so much more for anyone who has faced addiction, wants to understand it or just wants to glimpse what being "rich and famous" can really be like. It isn't always an easy read for several reasons. You can tell that he wrote most of it himself and shunned too much rewriting so there are some parts that jump around and even seem random but THIS is how his brain works so it makes sense and, to me, helped me to get closer to his frame of mind. Matty starts from the very beginning, his life as an infant abandoned by his father, and wonders aloud if that impacted his life later on. He jumps from recent past to distant past trying to find the links to his current thought processes.This book won't win any literary awards but it is a raw and honest book about the real man behind a character so many of us loved. Hopefully it will help addicts and family/friends of addicts, open peoples' eyes to the reality of being "rich and famous", grow understanding for Matthew Perry and his difficulties and maybe, just maybe, help someone else who is feeling alone and considering suicide despite being surrounded by so many.We don't need to lose anymore people to addiction and suicide. We need more Matthew Perry's in this world who are willing to bare their soul and fight every single day.Matty, if you ever read this. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your fight. I pray for you to stay strong and hope that you continue to find joy in every day.To anyone thinking of buying this book, do it. I am NOT a non-fiction fan. I am not an addict. I am actually not always a very understanding person. But this book is eye and heart opening. It reminds us that actors are more than their characters and that they too fight demons.Thanks again, Matty.
Top reviews from other countries
Megi Lengu
Definitely worth buying. 🫶🏻
Reviewed in Germany on April 10, 2024
Megi Lengu
Reviewed in Germany on April 10, 2024
It really hits diferent when you read and rewatch the show again cz you can understand what Mathew was going through while making the whole world laugh for decades.
I dont want to write more cz i dont want to spoil it for you, but if you really liked him as an actor, definitely should order the book.
Images in this review
Sara Mastrantuono
UN VIAGGIO DOLCE AMARO NELLA VITA DI MATTY
Reviewed in Italy on April 6, 2024