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Search - Running with Scissors: A Memoir
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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 unorthodox psychiatrist who bore a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. So at the age of twelve, Burroughs found himself amidst Victorian squalor living with the doctor's bizarre family, and befriending a pedophile who resided in the backyard shed. The story of an outlaw childhood where rules were unheard of, and the Christmas tree stayed up all year-round, where Valium was consumed like candy, and if things got dull, an electroshock therapy machine could provide entertainment. The funny, harrowing, and bestselling account of an ordinary boy's survival under the most extraordinary circumstances...
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Top Member Reviews
Suzanne B. wrote on 8/2/2007...
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Extremely graphic (sexually explicit) memoir of a boy raised in a world without limits. Funny and shocking. Strong narrative voice. People under age 35 might not "get" some of the pop culture references. Brave biographical tale. Page-turner.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
Be prepared----this is an "R" rated book. Explicit scenes with gays and lesbians. Augusten Burroughs was just twelve years old when his mother gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist who lived in a world in which rules were unheard of and a pedophile resided in a backyard shed. It is a painfully funny and unforgettable account of his outlaw childhood---now the basis of a major motion picture. It is horrifying that a child could grow up in these circumstances!
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'm in the (mental health) field, and enjoyed this immensely. From what I've heard, it's a bit rougher for those who are less familiar with the ins and outs of mental illness.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is written in a very emotionally detached way so that it seemed even more disturbing than if it had been another "poor me" tale. It's horrific to read about the childhood Mr. Burroughs had, but it is refreshing to have it told in a humorous rather than ranting way. He has every reason to be bitter about how things happened when he was growing up, but he chooses not to.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found this to be a disgusting book covering immoral people who never got the appropriate help they needed. T is laced with homosexual acts.
Trying to spin yarns attempting to make normal the pitiable hard times of tragic figures is, to me, despicable.
This is a tragic tale of folks whose sad lives led them down dark halls of loneliness. I couldn't finish it.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Augusten Burroughs' childhood was so incredibly unusual and bazaar. It's an entertaining read, but not for the faint of heart. I also agree with a previous comment...this book is a lot funnier if you have previous knowledge of mental illness or are familiar with the field of psychology. I was laughing out loud at some of the wacky psychology-related conversations in the book.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
The twisted tale of augusten burroughs childhood years. Sick and funny. good stuff.
T. G. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
It is extremely hard for me to believe that everything that this man claims to have happened really happened. If it is, in fact, accurately a portrayal of his childhood then it is a miracle he was able to even write this memoir. Very bizarre, graphic X rated, disturbing.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Weird but compelling. I have to say, I definitely like "Dry" better. It's his second book.
Sally W. from CONCORD, CA wrote on 8/21/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book, I didn't want it to end. It made me wince and laugh at the same time. It has some very nasty parts to it. I was grossed out, but I couldn't stop reading it.
Rate These Member Reviews
Lisa S. from CHUGIAK, AK wrote on 10/16/2008...Entertaining at moments but not impressed
This book was quite unique. It says it A Memoir but i dont believe that to be true. read it to see what i mean. Dont get me wrong though, it is a good read. It kept me interested.
Burroughs writes a fascinating story of his life as a child - his mentally unstable Mother, her equally unstable therapist, and Augusten. This boy, an introverted child without a clear sense of self, is thrust into the family of his Mother's therapist - becoming the only family he really felt at home with - despite the Christmas tree in the living room in July, the dirty dishes and garbage everywhere...Great read and highly recommended!
A new York Times Best seller. Does look like of the Left Field wall. A modernized version of something Franz Kafka might have written. Really strange . Whether true or not I leave to the reader
Leslie D. W. from FRESNO, CA wrote on 2/16/2007...Didn't finish, I thought it was a comedy turns out it's a tragedy.
Funny, sad, crazy & bizzar - but I couldn't put it down!
Kevin D. from KNOXVILLE, TN wrote on 1/14/2007...Especially for anyone who's ever:
-- had an muddled relationship with parents
-- been in therapy
-- been confused about life in general.
THIS IS A MUST-READ.
If you enjoy giggling while feeling shocked and amazed, pick this one up.
It's not a fluke that it's on so many best-seller lists.
I know this is supposed to be a true story but all through it I kept saying "I can't believe this!" Excellent read.
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