Rating: 
Summary: A Twisted Nightmare of a Life!
Review: If you think you have had a messed up childhood, after reading this book, you'll think again. Augusten Burroughs, in his new memoir, bravely tells us about his twisted nightmare of an upbringing by his mother, her psychiatrist, and the doctor's weird family. This was a hard book to read, and I kept telling myself this is not a memoir, it has to be fiction. This story would leave anyone else grabbing their knees, cowering in a corner, and locked-up in a mental institution for the rest of their lives. Burroughs manages to tell the story with wit and humor, and honesty. We all have childhood memories we like to keep hidden, but I give Burroughs a lot of credit for exposing his abused childhood so candidly. It's amazing that his life turned out so well after such a stressful, crazy and abused upbringing.
Beautifully written, with real emotion, and yet horribly shocking, disturbing, and disgusting at times. It is a difficult book to read, but one you will find yourself racing through to the finish line. Things get so bad in the story, it forces you to laugh to get through another chapter. A captivating read you should definitely not miss. Joe Hanssen
Rating: 
Summary: The darkest of dark humor
Review: If even ten percent of what the author describes in this alleged autobiography actually happened, he deserves a medal for survival! Apparently his parents really did name him Augusten, which explains a lot... I did laugh out loud at many many places. If you like David Sedaris and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, you'll love this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Just another American cry-baby
Review: I read this book on a plane. I even nearly finished it. That's because I couldn't throw it out of the window.
And me, I couldn't jump either.
This is not literature, it's not sexy, witty, exciting or even mildly interesting.
I will prove my solidarity with Mr Burroughs and his homemade problems by simply ending my review.
Rating:
Summary: Alarming - but couldn't put it down.
Review: I enjoyed the book, but was rather traumatized by it at the same time. The author has an interesting way of allowing the reader to laugh at things that are absolutely dreadful! Will continue to look for new works by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Reminds me of my own childhood...
Review: From the book:
"Will you please just shut the hell up, Deirdre?" My father said, weary and drunk.
My mother smiled down at him, blowing smoke through her nostrils. "I will please shut the hell up the day you please drop the hell dead." I loved this book! Maybe it's because my mother was crazy, too...She was married and divorced 4 times. Did you know that dog poop turns white if no one cleans it up for a very long time? I DO. Because no one in my family saw it a THEIR responsibility to clean up. Now that I am done with the book, my 17 year old son wants to read it. I told him, "Okay, but I have to blacken out some parts..." (After all, he is my precious, sheltered, baby) Then I thought: C'mon, he is 17! And so, I will let him read it, intact. But, parts are sexually vivid and not in the healthiest way. A few parts of the book made me laugh, but mostly, I just thought it was interesting and sad. Certainly not boring.
Rating:
Summary: My Review of Running With Scissors
Review: Running with Scissors is the true story of how a young gay man named Augusten Burroughs grew up in the house of his mother's psychiatrist and his family. His mother left him in the care of a Dr Finch after her divorce from Augusten's alcoholic father. This left her mentally unstable. Augusten Burroughs subsequently attempted suicide at the age of 13, because he didn't want to go to school any more. His suicide attempt was approved of by his mother and the psychiatrist who would become his legal guardian. His formal education ended in the 7th grade as a result of that attempt. Burroughs had a sexual often abusive relationship as a child with a man twice his age for most of his teens. Burroughs grew up in a house where people ate dog food as a snack. He lived in a household where the shape of human feces was saved and looked upon as a method of telling the future. Augusten's closest relationship is with his stepsister Natalie. The things they did together are very funny. One of the funniest parts in the book would have to be the part where Augusten and Natalie sing for a group of unruly mental patients for fun. I also loved reading the funny chapter in which Augusten and his sister threw some hotel furniture in a swimming pool in a frustrated effort to find a pair of earrings. Running With Scissors has a combination of serious and funny elements. I enjoyed this book very much.
Rating: 
Summary: A waste of time
Review: I fought my way through this book hoping to find the 'humor' which others have found. I'm somewhat insulted by the comparisons between this author and David Sedaris; the Sedaris' books are touching and funny. This book isn't. I'm amazed at a novelist who can quote 'verbatim' conversations which occurred tweny-five years earlier. Do not waste your time with this book.
Rating:
Summary: How can I rate this?
Review: Well-writtenl, thoughtful, insightful, and so on, but grotesque and disturbing. I read it with shock, horror and disgust. It is compelling, but like watching a car crash or Jerry Springer -- we are fascinated and riveted, but feel ashamed of our prurient interest and voyeurism, but not enlightened or ennobled by the experience. Comparisons to David Sedaris are accurate. Present good arguments for plowing under the entire Northampton/Amherst MA area and sowing the earth with salt to prevent revolting parents and doctors like the ones in this book from ever reappearing.
Rating:
Summary: What's wrong with keeping your tree up until May?
Review: Augusten Burroughs shares his story the same way successful recovering alcoholics share theirs in AA meetings. It's the humor that keeps us from going mad.
Rating:
Summary: Shocking but hard to put down
Review: I kept flipping back to the bookcover to verify that this was a TRUE story. Burroughs definitely has a way with words and his characters are fascinating and somewhat larger than life. Perhaps what makes this account believable is that Burroughs makes no attempt to explain why everyone around him is so crazy. He makes no attempt to get inside anyone's head but his own. The reader is left feeling as detached and baffled as the author. Even though this is an account of a childhood of insanity, neglect, and abuse, one gets the impression that everything is going to be okay afterall. It's scary.
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