This is no mere celebrity memoir. Sure, the author is famous, yes, his parents were as well, and he’s the nephew of the late literary ‘it’ girl. All of those things are wonderful, indeed, but what makes this book so special is it’s told by a true raconteur (I knew he could act but clearly, he inherited the writing gene), recounting intimate anecdotes, some tragic, never losing his sense of humor, gratitude, and love for family and friends. Griffin’s family history is fascinating. Made up of his once LA power couple parents Dominick and Lenny, literary luminaries aunt Joan Didion and uncle John Dunne, and his maternal and fraternal grandparents had their own tales to wow. In case you haven’t read any of his father, aunt, or uncle’s books or Vanity Fair articles, suffice it to say, he’s endured more than his share of interesting and heartbreaking events. Griffin grew up in Beverly Hills at a time when parties were parties (the Dunnes hosted many with guests such as Sean Connery, Natalie Wood), his mother was glamorous, well-loved, his brother battled mental illness, his sister Dominique, a budding actress, strangled to death by her boyfriend. Their lives forever changed. Dominick hit hard times before he made a comeback covering true crime of the wealthy set (beginning with the trial of the man who murdered his daughter) and became Tina Brown’s darling (a regular in court during the O.J. trial). Like many families, there is pain and dysfunction. Growing up together, his friendship with Carrie Fisher seemed genuine and fun loving. Their inside jokes, both on the cusp of stardom, you can practically hear their laughter and imagine the mischief they got into. ​ From west coast to east coast, through ups and downs, childhood antics to faithfully attending the murder trial while shooting a film in the evenings to going on to producing and directing, this is a succinctly captured time capsule told by a kind, witty soul, as he shares his beloved family with us.

I'm 55 and had read Dominick's books in the '80s and read his Vanity Fair articles later. I feel stupid for not knowing more about this family. It's interesting from start to finish. I wish it had gone further than 1990 and perhaps he'll write a sequel. Four years ago I discovered his aunt, Joan, and have been fascinated with her, too. When I saw the doc on her I didn't realize that Griffin was such an integral part of this family. And lastly I didn't realize the murder of Dominique. I was 14 when I happened and of course news didn't travel as quickly and vastly as now. Anyway, it's a good book and I would recommend it.

A humorous but at its core heartbreaking memoir of a loving familys stumble down the rabbit hole of Americas flawed judicial system. My heart goes out to them all. But I digress, it’s mainly about Griffins interesting life growing up in LA and NYC, which is thoroughly interesting and entertaining. But the part about Dominique is devastating. A “must read” in my opinion.

This memoir is very readable, much like the Vanity Fair articles written by the author’s late father, writer Dominick Dunne. Unfortunately, it desperately needed a good editor and fact checker. There is no explanation as to why it is entitled “The Friday Afternoon Book Club”, and several of the second-hand anecdotes about the author’s father are easily proven inaccurate by simply reading Vanity Fair articles written by the father himself, which are readily available online, or the father’s own memoir. This book contains dozens of references to the author’s friend, Charlie, but never discloses Charlie’s last name. Then the book stops fairly abruptly after the author married and became a father some 35 years ago. The deaths of his parents and famous aunt and uncle feel like a postscript. As someone who has read extensively about many of the main people in the author’s life, I feel that this book barely skimmed the surface. So much of his story has already been more accurately told by Dominick Dunne and Joan Didion that I’m not sure what the author hoped to add in this sloppy memoir.

I loved Griffins sense of humor. Such a story. Had highs and lows in his life. Seems like he was in love with his penis since he mentions it throughout the book. I adored his father’s writings but never knew the background of his life. I admire his mother and brother Alex. It’s a sad story about the death of his sister. I guess no one is protected against bad decisions. That was a whopper.

If you love Hollywood history in particular, this is your book. But it has many layers.... I loved this book and devoured it in 24-hours. I have to read it again. Really wonderful. Very intimate stories from Griffin Dune, both familial and personal. Lovely pictures. Thanks.

I was a huge fan of Dominick Dunne, and he was one of the reasons I kept my subscription to Vanity Fair. This book is a peak behind the curtain, and being a year older than Griffin, I was familiar with all of the 'celebrities' who made an appearance in this truly funny, heartfelt family sage. A great read.

This is the greatest memoir I have ever read!!!! Beautiful, heartbreaking, brilliant, witty, funny, intelligent!!!! Thank you Griffin for this gorgeous, masterful memoir. THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB IS TRULY TRULY A MASTERPIECE!!!! I lost my sister a few months ago and am not handling it well but your words definitely brought a calm to me. I can't thank you enough. I am buying a copy of this beautiful work of art for every person in my life that I hold dear. Griffin, you are a beautiful, courageous soul and one of the greatest writers ever!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!