Genre Fiction

The spring of 2003 brought us two accounts of rehab experiences: Dry by Augusten Burroughs and A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.

Equally similar as they are different, both books make for a good read. Here are a few similarities and differences, with “1″ designating Dry and “2″ for A Million Little Pieces.

FIRST SENTENCE

1. “Sometimes when you work in advertising you’ll get a product that’s really garbage and you have to make it seem fantastic, something that is essential to the continued quality of life.”

2. “I wake to the drone of an airplane engine and the feeling of something warm dripping down my chin.”

PLOT

1. Mostly post rehab, trying to adjust to returning home after getting clean. One of the most vivid scenes is when he first opens his apartment doors to see all of the empty bottles, garbage, and booze taking over the place.

2. Takes place in a rehab center, with interactions happening between patients, and with doctors and psychiatrists.

BEST FRIEND

1. Pighead - former lover, passes away during story.

2. Leonard - fellow rehab resident, got a follow-up book - My Friend Leonard (2004) - centered on him.

DRUG OF CHOICE

1. Alcohol, especially scotch and beer.

2. Alcohol for ten years, crack for three.

AUTHOR

1. Third of six books, second memoir. Most recent released earlier this year.

2. First of three books, with third one releasing later this year.

1. Current age: 42; Character’s age: 20-something.

2. Current age: 38; Character’s age: 23

CONTROVERSY

1. None directly connected to this memoir, but sued over previous one, Running with Scissors (2002).

2. Oh my. Frey went on Oprah and affirmed that his story was 100 percent true. Later, Web site The Smoking Gun researched his background and reported that much of the memoir was fiction. Oprah confronted him in a follow-up interview, and Frey admitted to altering details. Recent publications include an note explaining the situation.

COVER ART

1. By my count, there are four different cover designs: The one shown; a fish with his head flopped into a martini; a lifesaver draped around a bottle’s neck; and an artistic, colorful one.

2. While the artwork is always that shown, some copies have Oprah’s book club seal while others have had it removed. Some also contain a note: “With new notes from the publisher and from the author.”

OVERALL

1. Great. As with all of Burroughs’ works, it’s a tough read in the sense that a lot of hard times are elaborately detailed. But his ability to make words draw a specific picture will surely win you over.

2. Good. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, it is a good story. There are rough characters and tough times, but the relationships that are woven throughout outweigh all else.