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.

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!

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.

Honestly, I looked at the back cover several times to be sure that this was truly a memoir and not fiction, it was so hard to believe the craziness at times. I thought this book was well-written, interesting, definitely not like any story I've ever read. It amazes me that kids are able to survive and thrive after years of neglect.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The twisted tale of augusten burroughs childhood years. Sick and funny. good stuff.

Weird but compelling. I have to say, I definitely like "Dry" better. It's his second book.

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Thoroughly depressing, and I have to believe, so far-fetched that I can't imagine why anyone would recommend this book to another, nor how it managed to get on The New York Times Bestselling list.

Funny and disturbing all at the same time.

I just put it away this morning, I couldn't finish it. Firstly I just cannot believe all of his story. I feel a lot of it was made up for shock value. I also had a problem with some of his "penis" references, sometimes the reader doesn't really need to know things in THAT graphic of detail.

As an abuse survivor, 2 of the "relationships" in the book really bothered me. I trudged through it, hoping it would get better, but when I hit the chapter "Toilet Bowl Readings". I couldn't finish it.

If you want to read something very disturbing, gross and unbelievable, then I guess you will enjoy this book. I feel I wasted a credit and I rarely feel that, even about books I don't enjoy. This book just sickened me on many levels.

now part of my email reading group

liked it as well as, liked the movie

Entertaining at moments but not impressed

Weird book!

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

Pretty crazy and wild book

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