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Search - Running with Scissors
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Running with Scissors Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Paperback, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD (Unabridged)
Book Description:
Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by her psychiatrist, a dead-ringer for Santa and a lunatic in the bargain. Suddenly, at age twelve, Augusten Burroughs found himself living in a dilapidated Victorian in perfect squalor. The doctor's bizarre family, a few patients, and a pedophile living in the backyard shed completed the tableau.
Here, there were no rules, there was no school. The Christmas tree stayed up until summer, and Valium was eaten like Pez. And when things got dull, there was always the vintage electroshock therapy machine under the stairs... Running with Scissors is at turns foul and harrowing, compelling and maniacally funny. But above all, it chronicles an ordinary boy's survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.
Here, there were no rules, there was no school. The Christmas tree stayed up until summer, and Valium was eaten like Pez. And when things got dull, there was always the vintage electroshock therapy machine under the stairs... Running with Scissors is at turns foul and harrowing, compelling and maniacally funny. But above all, it chronicles an ordinary boy's survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.
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Top Member Book Reviews
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Ater I was finished with this book, I didn't much care for it. But once I had time after to think about it, I liked it more and more. There were some parts of the book that were disturbing for me, which is why I was a little thrown back but when I take it all into perspective, it was a a very fine book.
Angela T. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very strange. Most of the time I was very entertained, other times I was discusted to the point where I did not want to read any further. Some of the gay scenes were a little too much considering the age difference between the 2 men (or should I say child and grown man). For the most part I would recommend this book. Its hard to believe that people can really be that messed up.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
good read - both comical, sad and bazaar.
Kristi W. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It truly is hard to imagine that this is a true story. Well written and deeply disturbing at the same time.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very wierd and disturbing
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was absolutely fabulous. The story of a boy whose mother is mentally ill, and how they both get sucked up into the even crazier world of her psychiatrist and his family. The mother, somewhat detached and unnurturing towards him, sends him off to live with her psychiatrist and his family, where he gets into all sorts of crazy situations as he breaks society norms, explores his homosexuality, and truly finds himself. It's bizarre, it's humorous, it's Life. A great read!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a strange book, being a true story. It is bizarre that people can actually live like this. Odd, trully odd.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I did not enjoy this book - I didn't even finish it, but apparently I am not up with modern lit because everyone else loves it.
Please Rate these Book Reviews
Lyn H. (Dark and disturbing. A child's out of control upbringing. It is amazing there is anything close to a happy ending.
I liked that this book presents to our youth that there are opportunities to succeed despite a dysfuntional background and lack of a cookie cutter education.
Katie W. (it is amazing what we can adapt to, and then what can pull us back into our own little orbit. manipulate or be manipulated. there must be more to life than this.
This book was absolutely fabulous. The story of a boy whose mother is mentally ill, and how they both get sucked up into the even crazier world of her psychiatrist and his family. The mother, somewhat detached and unnurturing towards him, sends him off to live with her psychiatrist and his family, where he gets into all sorts of crazy situations as he breaks society norms, explores his homosexuality, and truly finds himself. It's bizarre, it's humorous, it's Life. A great read!
This book was one of the most interesting, different, best I have ever read. I usually read Mystery, Murder and Forensics, but I picked this up one day and had it finished 2 days later. I could not put it down. Extremly entertaining. Hope you enjoy too.
Jen
It was interesting, but after it was regaled across the nation and/or the world as being some genius tome, I'd say it didn't live up to expectations. Being that it's true it's pretty crazy, but crazy becomes normal after a while and i was just not able to be shocked anymore.
I found this book annoying and a little unbelievable. I thought it was a waste of my time.
Haley Joy F. (Though a good book, it can be rather graphic, not as graphic as A Million Little Pieces, but it can be a little harsh. So basically, not light reading.. lol.
L. P. (
Stacy H. (This book does not even deserve a half of star, but its the lowest rating. I had to struggle through this book it was that bad. If you want to read about graphic pedofile relationships, daughters digging their father's sh*t out of the toilet, a bunch of crazy people living in a disgusting dirty house and a teenage boy dreaming of being a hairdresser, than this is the book for you. I'm glad I just borrowed this book from a library and didn't waste a credit on it!!!
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