Dry

Amanda Hwu
= = = = = = = = =Don't Repeat Yourself=

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When one examines the errors and downfalls of human kind over the course of history, they are often caused by three things: obsession, addiction, and denial. Many times it is the obsession and addiction that fan the other’s ever growing fire. It is the denial that dulls morality and like sandpaper, smooths the course surfaces of a person’s personality and life through illusion thus making the obsession and addiction imperceptible. Through Burroughs’ memoir, __Dry__, he portrays himself as the epitome of the destruction of obsession, addiction, and denial. As one reads through //__Dry__//, they witness these three things as they consume and destroy him psychologically and physically. =====

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The frightening reality of __Dry__ lies within the illusion of alcoholism. __Dry__ serves as a warning to the reader of the powerful seduction of alcohol. The phrase that leads Burroughs’ to his near death is “just one more.” At the beginning of __Dry__, the reader is not aware of the severity of Burroughs’ alcoholism. After work, Burroughs hits the bar with his friend to “take the edge off” and the phrase “just one more” makes an appearance several times throughout the duration of the evening, leading him to one drink after another and causing the total number of drinks to seem very minimal. For example, Burroughs writes, “We have four more drinks at the Cedar Tavern. Maybe five. Just enough so that I feel loose and comfortable in my own skin, like a gymnast. Jim suggests we hit another bar. I check my watch: almost ten-thirty. I //should// head home now and go to sleep so I’m fresh in the morning. But then I think, //Okay what’s the latest I can get to sleep and still be okay?…// I count my fingers because I cannot do the math, let alone in my head- //twelve-thirty.// ‘Where do you wanna go?’ I ask him.” =====

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When Burroughs checks into rehab, he realizes the severity of his drinking by making a list of his drinking history. His list reveals how many drinks he consumes a day and how that number grows as the years pass. He realizes that he is actually drunk before hitting the bar with his friend. When he returns to his apartment after rehab, he finds over a hundred liquor bottles and countless beer cans spread throughout his apartment. A situation deemed mild at the beginning of __Dry__ is actually a nightmare for any person to wake up to. =====

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What makes __Dry__ such a unique book is the way that Burroughs weaves his dark, comical commentary through his story. It doesn’t quite lift the mood of the book all the way but creates an entertaining read. Although dark, his comments about the present situations and his life shed light upon the situation. For example, Burroughs writes, “That’s the great thing with advertising. Ad people don’t care where you come from, who your parents were. It doesn’t matter. You could have a crawl space under your kitchen floor filled with little girls’ bones and as long as you can dream up a better Chuck Wagon commercial, you’re in.” It helps the reader to understand every action and reason behind each drink he consumes. Often people shake their head at alcoholism and either quickly avoid the subject or turn their head. However, in __Dry__, Burroughs forces the reader to look alcoholism in the eye and the see the true horror. With each stride the story becomes more powerful with its hidden messages and life lessons while maintaining a humorous feel. =====

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The definition of a memoir is an autobiographical piece where the author often reminisces. People often become hung up on whether the memoir is believable or not. However, this happens because they do not observe the second component of the definition of the word memoir. When writing a memoir, it is the author’s right to //reminisce// upon the situation. Burroughs makes sure that he takes full advantage of this. Reading __Dry__ is comparable to listening to a close friend’s account of his struggle with alcohol. It is extremely candid but many times it is inevitable that some parts maybe exaggerated and such. With __Dry__ it is the same way. There were a few times upon reading a small section and I had to think twice because I realized that there was no way that that could have happened or could have been. Flaw? Maybe so. But in my opinion it is not one. If I want a full, flawless account of an incident, there are plenty of reference books sitting on a dusty shelf in the library waiting for me. The beauty of __Dry__ lies within the way the Burroughs can capture the reader even when he exaggerates or writes of his interpretation of an experience but at the same time Burroughs manages to present the large, important facts and situations believably, altering only small details. Similar to listening to an animated friend carefully weave his story, it captivates you regardless of what small details the friend changes or adds. =====

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In all, __Dry__ was a very enjoyable read. However, it should not be recommended to those who thrive and enjoy reading only the truth. Then again, those people who wish to read only the truth should look for books on that dusty shelf in the library. __Dry__ serves as fair warning to all regarding the seduction of alcohol. Not only is it a fair warning but a frightening account that is sure to make any drinker think twice after the phrase “Just one more” crosses their mind. =====