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The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir
At nine, Sean Connery saved him from drowning. At thirteen, desperate to hook up with Janis Joplin, he attended his aunt Joan Didion's legendary L.A. party for the publication of Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. In his early 20s, he shared an apartment in Manhattan's Hotel Des Artistes with his best friend and soulmate Carrie Fisher, while she was filming some sci-fi movie called Star Wars and he was a struggling actor working as a popcorn seller at Radio City Music Hall. A few years later, he produced and starred in the now-iconic film After Hours, directed by Martin Scorsese. In the midst of it all, Griffin's 22-year-old sister Dominique, a rising star in Hollywood, was brutally strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend, leading to one of the most infamous public trials of the 1980s, which ended in a travesty of justice that also somehow marked the beginning of their father Dominick Dunne's career as a bestselling author of true crime narratives.And yet, for all its bold-face cast of characters and jaw-dropping scenes, The Friday Afternoon Club is no celebrity memoir. It is, down to its bones, a family story that brilliantly embraces the poignant absurdities and best and worst efforts of its loveable, infuriating, funny and moving characters - its author most of all - finding wicked, self-deprecating humour and glints of surprising light in even the most harrowing and painful of circumstances.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
December 11, 2023
Griffin Dunne’s memoir would have been excellent even if it were merely celebrity run-ins and Hollywood-adjacent tales — the Carrie Fisher anecdotes alone are worth the cover price. But The Friday Afternoon Club succeeds far beyond entertaining name-dropping. This is a memoir of a complicated and loving family dealing with all manner of significant traumas: mental illness, addiction, a closeted father, family rivalries, and — most significantly — a senseless murder and the subsequent trial. Like many, I felt like I already knew the Dunne family a little bit through Dominick Dunne’s and Joan Didion’s writings; I’m thrilled to now have Griffin’s point-of-view as well.
January 6, 2024
Dunne has lived quite a life with a loving and dysfunctional family. I recall the brutal murder of his sister, Dominique. I knew of his father’s sexuality and read many of his novels. I was aware that John Gregory Dunne was his uncle and that Joan Didion was his aunt. I even, vaguely, remember seeing American Werewolf in London at a movie theater. It was funny in 1981 but I doubt that it would hold up well. Despite Dunne’s courage in revealing his story, it is his story rather than a family memoir. It is an engaging account and a quick read.
June 15, 2024
Here’s what you can be assured of: Every bit of this book is true.
There’s no added sugar.
Griffin Dunne could NOT make this sh*t up.
He describes his family as the ones who were drunk, killed themselves, had mental illness or got murdered.
That is a true assessment.
I take him to task for the way he seems to expose his father. Some of that could have stayed in the archives. I mean I’m straight from the Vanity Fair era and Dominick Dunne has my heart forever.
I’m off now to read up on Carrie Fisher, John Dunne and his wife, Joan Didion ( I had no idea) and Griffin, himself, so I can get the rest of the story.
*also, since the publishing of a memoir is transactional (in which money changes hands) I have no qualms about slapping a star rating on one. My star rating isn’t personal to the author. It’s a reflection on how the story moves ME and how I receive it. Griffin was paid and he deserves to know what I think about the presentation of his story.
There’s no added sugar.
Griffin Dunne could NOT make this sh*t up.
He describes his family as the ones who were drunk, killed themselves, had mental illness or got murdered.
That is a true assessment.
I take him to task for the way he seems to expose his father. Some of that could have stayed in the archives. I mean I’m straight from the Vanity Fair era and Dominick Dunne has my heart forever.
I’m off now to read up on Carrie Fisher, John Dunne and his wife, Joan Didion ( I had no idea) and Griffin, himself, so I can get the rest of the story.
*also, since the publishing of a memoir is transactional (in which money changes hands) I have no qualms about slapping a star rating on one. My star rating isn’t personal to the author. It’s a reflection on how the story moves ME and how I receive it. Griffin was paid and he deserves to know what I think about the presentation of his story.
June 25, 2024
This has all the markings of a celebrity memoir without ever feeling like a celebrity memoir. Harrison Ford builds Joan Didion’s deck, Sean Connery saves a drowning child, Carrie Fisher’s virginity is a topic for discussion, Martin Scorsese forbids actors from having sex. It’s all delicious and outlandish and funny. But what this book is actually about – MS, violence against women, self sabotage, mental illness – is so much heavier that it grounds everything in a truth and a sense of realness. There is gravitas here and Dunne does a brilliant job holding the narrative. He has such a gentle touch and I challenge you not to fall in love with him.
June 20, 2024
Dominick Dunne wrote fabulous novels in the 80's many of which were fictionalized versions of true crimes. He also wrote columns for Vanity Fair detailing celebrity trials he was covering such as O.J. Simpson, Claus Von Bulow and The Menendez Brothers. No trial he reported on was as heartbreaking as his coverage on the trial of the monster who murdered his daughter, Dominique. Griffin Dunne, son of Dominick and brother of Dominque, has written a compelling memoir that details the profound affect of Dominique's death on the family. Griffin's stories of his family reminded me of Brooke Hayward's memoir, Haywire. Even wealthy privileged families endure personal demons and tragedies. Griffin's memories of a complicated yet loving family were both entertaining and poignant. I could have done without Griffin's sexual and drug escapades but overall this memoir was both addictive and engrossing.
June 23, 2024
3.5 stars. Name dropping is no surprise when you live in Hollywood and grow up to be famous and the son/nephew of famous people. Mental illness, lots of drugs and alcohol also are no surprise. The author’s mother’s MS, his sister’s murder and his father’s homosexuality makes for even more drama. It’s an interesting mash up of privilege and trauma.
July 7, 2024
I could not put this down - Griffin Dunne has had such a rich life and his writing style was good, it was like sitting around a dinner table listening to his stories. That last line got me.
June 17, 2024
Good one to listen to on audio, as Dunne is a recognizable and easy presence. Quick read with fun old Hollywood tales.
January 17, 2024
ARC for review. To be published June 11, 2024.
Griffin Dunne, actor, producer, but perhaps more importantly, son of Dominick, nephew of Joan Didion, brother of murder victim Dominique, longtime roommate and best friend of Carrie Fisher, fully one third of his story is about his parents, another third is about the death of his sister and the trial of the man who murdered her (a travesty). His life has been fame adjacent in many ways. Overall entertaining.
Griffin Dunne, actor, producer, but perhaps more importantly, son of Dominick, nephew of Joan Didion, brother of murder victim Dominique, longtime roommate and best friend of Carrie Fisher, fully one third of his story is about his parents, another third is about the death of his sister and the trial of the man who murdered her (a travesty). His life has been fame adjacent in many ways. Overall entertaining.
July 16, 2024
Rubbed me the wrong way, honestly.
I read this book for two straight days; it was quite interesting, though perhaps the pre-adolescent section was too long (lots of discussion of peeing and early sexual experiences). It became a bit repetitive and looping, but this was a fascinating, tragic family. Interesting sidenote about Joan Didion’s writing (and her memoir was irritating), but it was good to learn about her “side” of the family. An entire memoir could have been about Dominique’s murder/trial/aftermath. I never really understood why/how Griffin Dunne was famous (and it seems neither did he), but I always thought he seemed cute.
I read this book for two straight days; it was quite interesting, though perhaps the pre-adolescent section was too long (lots of discussion of peeing and early sexual experiences). It became a bit repetitive and looping, but this was a fascinating, tragic family. Interesting sidenote about Joan Didion’s writing (and her memoir was irritating), but it was good to learn about her “side” of the family. An entire memoir could have been about Dominique’s murder/trial/aftermath. I never really understood why/how Griffin Dunne was famous (and it seems neither did he), but I always thought he seemed cute.
June 25, 2024
It felt a little like I was reading Forest Gump’s life story because every major event during this era had involvement from him or his family! He admits he’s a narcissist and he embellishes. And that’s obvious. I don’t know if I recommend it, but I’m glad I read it.
July 6, 2024
What a beautifully written memoir of a family surviving multiple traumas & finding perfect peace (in their own way). I Absolutely loved the many stories that transported me back to past eras in pop culture along the way- found myself laughing, stunned & deeply touched. It is clear that within this imperfect family story, the one thing that shines so brightly is love.
July 2, 2024
Although the last 50 pages dragged a bit, the first 300 was so funny and so often endearing that I gave it 5 ⭐️. The Hollywood name dropping is on point, including his wonderful friendship with Carrie Fisher, and the anecdotes he shares from his personal life are hilarious and sometimes surprisingly relatable.
June 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, sad, truly enjoyable story of a family and how they coped with the everyday tragedies of being in a family.
June 27, 2024
This book was not a bad read but not riveting. I mainly read out of.curiosit, given the family it centered on, and in some.ways felt like watching an accident. Mr. Dunne managed to make his family's tragedy poignant and all-too human. He has a darkly funny sense of humour, however sometimes it felt forced.
February 12, 2024
I received this as an egalley from NetGalley.
Came for the Joan Didion/John Gregory Dunne goss and instead *loved* the mid-1980s Hollywood goss.
Came for the Joan Didion/John Gregory Dunne goss and instead *loved* the mid-1980s Hollywood goss.
April 17, 2024
(ARC) It seems as if no one has ever told Mr Dunne about showing rather than telling. Couldn’t make it past chapter six because it was a whole lot of name dropping and very little storytelling.
June 28, 2024
Joan adjacent.
July 7, 2024
A truly fascinating memoir! I would listen to 12 more hours of stories.
June 28, 2024
I listened to the Books on Tape audiobook, not listed on Goodreads.
The title of the book refers to one tiny incident in the story. My alternative title suggestions:
Badly Behaved Celebrities and Their Bratty Children
Sex, Drugs and Alcoholism
Name-dropping (but only for readers over the age of 50 or with Google to figure out who they were)
Probably more titles would be appropriate, but that's too much to think about for this egotistical book.
The title of the book refers to one tiny incident in the story. My alternative title suggestions:
Badly Behaved Celebrities and Their Bratty Children
Sex, Drugs and Alcoholism
Name-dropping (but only for readers over the age of 50 or with Google to figure out who they were)
Probably more titles would be appropriate, but that's too much to think about for this egotistical book.
June 28, 2024
For me, this was such a worthwhile read. Other reviewers complain about author's privilege and so-called name-dropping, but those people were his community. And what you realize is that money and success doesn't insulate you from harm. The Dunne family experienced deep sadness. This was also a history lesson, slice of life from a certain time period. Loved it.
July 1, 2024
I'm giving this 3 stars but feel I actually liked it much, much more than that.
I listened to the audiobook, which was absolutely captivating. The author is an excellent voice actor in addition to his talents onscreen. It's a rare memoir of multiple generations of people with famous friends and schoolday connections that doesn't sound outrageously name-dropping. All the people in the book are given character, even in the briefest mentions.
Literary talent clearly runs in the Dunne blood, but this book screamed for a better editor, much as Matthew Perry's memoir did. It suffered the same crises of timeline and muddled purpose. Per some reviews (which I tried to avoid before reading so as to leave the juiciest discoveries to fresh eyes and the rhythm of the book) Dunne intends his memoir to be chronological, and encompass the family, not just himself, so ffs editors-- keep track of the chronology, the people, and the pacing! He's led you 75-80% of the way there with his talent alone!
The book was divided into three parts. Don't ask me how these parts were determined. The murder of the author's sister and the trial of her killer deserved its own part, and it kind of got it, because every other chapter was 10-20 minutes, and this one was 2.5 hours. Per reviews and author interviews, she was the heart of the story. I can see how she was for parts two and three, but a better editor would have weaved her into more childhood scenes. I would have traded one, or ten of the wayyyy too many, too graphic descriptions of his teenage sexual awakening for more info about his childhood relationship with his sister. Even putting this so close together in the review feels gross.
In parts 2 and 3, the editor forgets we've heard about people from part 1 and you only need to remind readers with a full name. The editor also forgets we don't know who any of the new people are. Brooke? So many Brookes in Hollywood! Amy, same! Especially if it isn't the same Amy as the director of the film! Is it a romantic relationship? Work? A mix? Editor stopped reading, so we might never know. Keep Google handy, because you won't find the answer by flipping back.
Good writing, great talent, tender stories and genuine affection for the family, so many personal lessons learned, and so many years left untouched. Hope he gets around to a second volume and that this one gets the retouch it deserves.
I listened to the audiobook, which was absolutely captivating. The author is an excellent voice actor in addition to his talents onscreen. It's a rare memoir of multiple generations of people with famous friends and schoolday connections that doesn't sound outrageously name-dropping. All the people in the book are given character, even in the briefest mentions.
Literary talent clearly runs in the Dunne blood, but this book screamed for a better editor, much as Matthew Perry's memoir did. It suffered the same crises of timeline and muddled purpose. Per some reviews (which I tried to avoid before reading so as to leave the juiciest discoveries to fresh eyes and the rhythm of the book) Dunne intends his memoir to be chronological, and encompass the family, not just himself, so ffs editors-- keep track of the chronology, the people, and the pacing! He's led you 75-80% of the way there with his talent alone!
The book was divided into three parts. Don't ask me how these parts were determined. The murder of the author's sister and the trial of her killer deserved its own part, and it kind of got it, because every other chapter was 10-20 minutes, and this one was 2.5 hours. Per reviews and author interviews, she was the heart of the story. I can see how she was for parts two and three, but a better editor would have weaved her into more childhood scenes. I would have traded one, or ten of the wayyyy too many, too graphic descriptions of his teenage sexual awakening for more info about his childhood relationship with his sister. Even putting this so close together in the review feels gross.
In parts 2 and 3, the editor forgets we've heard about people from part 1 and you only need to remind readers with a full name. The editor also forgets we don't know who any of the new people are. Brooke? So many Brookes in Hollywood! Amy, same! Especially if it isn't the same Amy as the director of the film! Is it a romantic relationship? Work? A mix? Editor stopped reading, so we might never know. Keep Google handy, because you won't find the answer by flipping back.
Good writing, great talent, tender stories and genuine affection for the family, so many personal lessons learned, and so many years left untouched. Hope he gets around to a second volume and that this one gets the retouch it deserves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2024
Loved this memoir! I'm a huge fan of his dad Dominick (looked forward to every Vanity Fair magazine when he was writing) and of course his aunt Joan Didion is perfection to me. I was so excited to read this and it did not disappoint. Gossip, heartache, and laugh out loud dark humor. A fascinating life for sure.
July 22, 2024
Listened to this on my walks-and my walks tended to go longer than normal because of that! Heartbreaking and funny and eye-opening. I sure hope there’s a second part to this memoir. Left me wanting more.
June 20, 2024
THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB, subtitled “A Family Memoir,” is Griffin Dunne’s account of his life up until the birth of his daughter Hannah. Dunne was about thirty-four then. He’s sixty-eight now. The book was published about a month ago. (It’s the first day of summer, 2024, as this review is being written, and THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB is perfect summer reading.)
Most celebrity memoirs rely on the reader’s recognition of the names mentioned. Most readers of this book will have sought it because it is filled with glamorous luminaries. The readers who finish it will finish it quickly, even though it is not incredibly short. A believability informs the narrative; and the portrait of Griffin Dunne’s father is profound.
This book also deals with a family’s efforts to seek justice for their murdered loved one. Their attendance at the trial of her killer was considered unusual in the early 1980s. Dunne’s prominent family drew attention to the urgency of legal reform. Toxic masculinity is discussed in many forums today. In 1982 it wasn’t on the national radar. Dunne’s father Dominick wrote about the trial for VANITY FAIR; Griffin Dunne gives us a wider picture of the family’s experience.
Dunne is at times funny, sometimes enraged, but almost always perceptive. He tells us things which few writers could make amusing; for example, a cat the family had would deposit the heads of dead rats on the floor, and the Dunne children used them as finger puppets. When I first became aware of Griffin Dunne, it was through the film AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. I thought “This is a good, comedic actor.” I felt the same way when I saw his performance in Martin Scorsese’s AFTER HOURS. This personality is apparent throughout THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB. It is engaging and thoughtful.
Most celebrity memoirs rely on the reader’s recognition of the names mentioned. Most readers of this book will have sought it because it is filled with glamorous luminaries. The readers who finish it will finish it quickly, even though it is not incredibly short. A believability informs the narrative; and the portrait of Griffin Dunne’s father is profound.
This book also deals with a family’s efforts to seek justice for their murdered loved one. Their attendance at the trial of her killer was considered unusual in the early 1980s. Dunne’s prominent family drew attention to the urgency of legal reform. Toxic masculinity is discussed in many forums today. In 1982 it wasn’t on the national radar. Dunne’s father Dominick wrote about the trial for VANITY FAIR; Griffin Dunne gives us a wider picture of the family’s experience.
Dunne is at times funny, sometimes enraged, but almost always perceptive. He tells us things which few writers could make amusing; for example, a cat the family had would deposit the heads of dead rats on the floor, and the Dunne children used them as finger puppets. When I first became aware of Griffin Dunne, it was through the film AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. I thought “This is a good, comedic actor.” I felt the same way when I saw his performance in Martin Scorsese’s AFTER HOURS. This personality is apparent throughout THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB. It is engaging and thoughtful.
June 14, 2024
Loved reading this - I felt like I knew so much about this family but it was really fun to hear from a different voice and I appreciated the honesty, rawness and humor. A family memoir is a perfect description.
July 3, 2024
I knew about his sister’s murder, his father’s success, and some of his acting, but there is so much more to the story. His uncle once said that he was as big a name dropped as his father, and we are glad he is. Fascinating story of this interesting family, which has had more than its share of tragedies.
June 24, 2024
I came for the Carrie Fisher / Didion scoop, but then was so moved to learn his version of the story of his murdered sister and traumatized (yet fascinating) parents. This is as good as it gets in celebrity memoir.
June 17, 2024
An interesting dive into the life of Griffin Dunne, son of the famous crime writer Dominick Dunne. It begins by reeling you in with the murder of Griffin's sister by her partner and the machinations that click into place as he and his family face this impossible tragedy. The memoir then moves backward and shows the life of Griffin and his famous father as they live in California mingling with the rich and famous; as author Joan Didion joins their family; as his parents divorce; as his father deals with his bisexuality; as Griffin is sent to boarding school to improve his academic performance and makes new friends amid devastating loneliness; and eventually winds its way back to the murder that triggers the start of the memoir.
I found myself reading this memoir and feeling shocked at how the authors life unfolded, seeing famous actors, actresses, singers, directors, and more appearing throughout as if it was just a regular occurrence. Griffin Dunne is a gifted writer and storyteller, and readers will love this book. As one reads, it feels as if he is just conversating with you. Don't miss a chance to pick up this delightful, poignant, and emotional memoir.
I found myself reading this memoir and feeling shocked at how the authors life unfolded, seeing famous actors, actresses, singers, directors, and more appearing throughout as if it was just a regular occurrence. Griffin Dunne is a gifted writer and storyteller, and readers will love this book. As one reads, it feels as if he is just conversating with you. Don't miss a chance to pick up this delightful, poignant, and emotional memoir.
June 26, 2024
Absolute drivel ! He is totally upfront about the fact that he and his father are both extremely unreliable narrators. Believe him!
I found both of them to be cloying and pathetic.
Many years ago I was a fan of Dominick Dunne but now I realize that I was naive about the veracity of his work.
I found both of them to be cloying and pathetic.
Many years ago I was a fan of Dominick Dunne but now I realize that I was naive about the veracity of his work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews