Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing

The memoir offers readers an unfiltered look into Perry's turbulent journey that encompasses his childhood ambitions, meteoric rise to fame, struggles with addiction, and hard-won path to recovery. From his early years shuffling between his separated parents in Montreal and Los Angeles, to becoming a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada at fourteen, Matthew's life seemed destined for extraordinary things. At twenty-four, he landed the pivotal role in a then-unknown show, Friends Like Us, which set him on the path to stardom.

In a narrative infused with his trademark wit and candour, Perry doesn't shy away from revealing the darker aspects of his life. He speaks openly about the fractured family dynamics that shaped his early years, the intense desire for recognition that propelled him into the spotlight, and the deep void that even fame and success couldn't fill. The memoir is both a heartfelt and humorous tale, vividly recounting his battles with addiction, his frequent hospital visits, stints in rehab, and the life-threatening health scare that served as a wake-up call.

Perry's storytelling is not just about the struggles; it is also a story of resilience and hope. He details the peace he has found in sobriety and reflects on the cultural phenomenon of Friends, sharing personal anecdotes about his castmates and the various celebrities he encountered throughout his career.

'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

'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

Frank, self-aware, and brimming with humour, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing is an unforgettable memoir that offers a rare insight into the life of a beloved actor and the personal battles he has overcome.