Rating: 
Summary: Oh. My. God.
Review: I cannot believe how hard this book is making me laugh, especially since the subject matter is truly horrific. But the writing is sensational and hilarious. I saw a great review of it this morning in The New York Times, so I bought a copy at lunch. And I've done almost nothing else but read it all day. I'll probably be fired tomorrow for getting no work done, but I really don't care. It's worth it. This is Dave Eggers, but readable. David Sedaris, but funnier. And a bunch of things no other writer could possibly touch. Kind of scary, but I think I'm going to start it again as soon as I'm done.
Rating:
Summary: An Insanely Entertaining But Also Disturbing Memoir
Review: This is just an insanely entertaining memoir. Running with Scissors is the tale of a crazy, wacky, wild, unbelievable and unenviable childhood. It is beautifully written and hard to set down after you pick it up. For me, at least, this was a laugh-out-loud kind of biography. It can also be disturbing, so much so that during a couple of moments while reading the book, I stopped to think, "My God, can anyone see me reading this?" It can be that shocking. After reading it, I wanted to give it to others so I could get their feedback and talk about how crazy the book actually is. While reading it, I often thought to myself, "Are there really people in the world who are this weird?" The book is exceptionally easy to read and is full of details that help the reader identify with the subject, his surroundings and experiences. I read this in a few hours, but felt as if I had been taken on an adventure that lasted much longer. In some ways, the book reminded me a bit of "A Heart Breaking Work of Staggering Genius." But Running with Scissors is lighter, more fun and funnier. There is nothing slow about this book. It never gets bogged down. It will sweep you off your feet and keep you flying until the end, when you wonder how this kid ever managed to survive it all. It was a joy to read and I cannot recommend it highly enough. One minor caveat: If you are fainthearted or feel uncomfortable when reading descriptive scenes that portray odd or uncommon human behavior, you might want to think twice about reading this.
Rating:
Summary: Profound, Yet, Funny
Review: I was thoroughly amazed at how well written this book is. It is aprofound look at a dysfuntional life, and yet there is many witty and humorous pieces in the book. Ranks up there with the likes of Dry,My Fractured Life,Sickened, and Nightmares Echo as a well documented book that shows the horror of abuse without all the graphic diologue.
Rating:
Summary: It's like reading about a traffic accident...
Review: You can't stop but watch and wonder. Augusten Burroughs delightfully grim memoir, "Running with Scissors", chronicles his early life with such candor and honesty, you both admire and pity the lad, all the while laughing and staring. Augusten was certainly dealt some challenges in his early life. That he grew up to survive them is a testament to his strength of character, or just pure determination. It is easy to see how he survives though. He writes himself as a strong character in this memoir, the sane person in a loony bin, if you will. He is patient observer of all the madness around him. While he certainly fits into the mob with his own pecularities (I personally related to his fascination with Donny and Marie's sparkling clothing!), he also writes as if watching this from afar. Perhaps that distance allowed him to write such a funny, surreal book. Burroughs writing style is easy and familiar. Burroughs writes upfront and honestly, in a matter of fact way, almost as if giving a news report on the insanity around him. It is a brisk, entertaining read that you will not want to put down. I honestly cannot wait to see who dares to make a movie out of this wonderful tale. "Running with Scissors", one of the most entertaining books I've read this year!
Rating:
Summary: Humourous and yet....
Review: Yes this author tells his story with humor. But, underneath the laughter lies the pain of living through a difficult childhood. Mr. Burroughs did well in telling us his story in 'DRY',and as with 'DRY', you still know the life he led that took him through the addictions he suffered. It made me understand all the more another book I read called 'NIGHTMARES ECHO'. In that book the author details that though you see the addict,prostitute and homeless person-don't just assume they want to live life that way. There may be underlying reasons. Mr. Burroughs points that out as well in showing us his side of the story and the pain along with his humor. One of the best books I have read.
Rating:
Summary: The memoirs do have it this year
Review: The memoirs do have it this year, and "Running With Scissors" is no exception. It details a troubled life, addictions and the turning point (the determinationa nd courage) to turn your life around when it would be so much easier to fall in to the pitts. <br />This authors other books: "Dry" and now "Magical Thinking" are excellent books to read as well. he is a superb writer. Along those lines of good memoirs/Biographies to sink your teeth in to and learn about the real world and what goes on with in it (wether rich or poor) are books such as "Nightmares Echo", "If I Knew Then" and Sickened". All highly rated books <br />
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Memoir
Review: <br /><br />This is one of the best Memoir/Autobiographies I have read. Fits in with other memoirs I have read such as NIGHTMARES ECHO and DRY. The interior is filled with emotional ups and downs. There is tears and laughter. The look inside the self as to why someone does the things they do. to be brought up in an-for lack of a better word-Eccentric life is at times abusive and yet this author finds humor in his own unhappiness. Great memoirs that each tell a story. <br />
Rating: 
Summary: Obviously Fiction
Review: Burroughs has cobbled together here an imaginative piece of fiction. While it is not well written, it is, at times, funny. Most of the "humor" however is not funny, but only shocking. Burroughs claims to have been a captive of some kind in the home of his psychiatrist, to have been raped by a 35 year old man, and to have witnessed bizarre and insane behavior by the family that took him in. Reviewer after reviewer expresses sympathy for Burroughs. But, how can this story be true? Burroughs, if we are to believe him, attended public schools, was hospitalized at the state mental hospital, and, if his other work "Dry" is any indication, stumbled through the rest of his life and yet, only now does a rape and his claimed victimization at the hands of a crazy psychiatrist come to light? Nobody at the State Mental Hospital unearthed these goings on? No school official, no police officer, no social worker ever discovered the claimed antics of a psychiatrist and his family? No neighbor summonsed the police? How can this be? And, if the story is not true, the book loses its appeal, becoming just another piece of mediocre fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Spin that Agile Writing Web, You
Review: GOOD GOD, Augusten: I get the sense we are "soul sisters" as a Finch might say...except that I'm not gay, or a man, nor do I have an exceptional gift for writing.
This book, with which readers will become immediately and thoroughly obsessed with and engrossed in...I mean, that readers will enjoy immensely, is the literary equivalent of a circus performer's "death-defying" feat. Recounting his childhood experiences in a frank and genuine way, Burroughs manages to completely elude the potential "train wreck" factor; I chalk this up to a lack of self-censorship/editing which is both refreshingly skillful in execution and lending of an authenticity somewhat absent in many memoirs.
I read this book and I didn't want it to end. A bond was formed. A masterful teller of the true tale spun his agile writing web over me and I Am Thoroughly Impressed.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing and Startling
Review:
Within the 288 pages of this non-fiction book we read about the upbringing of Augusten Burroughs. From his early days of living with his eccentric mother and alcoholic father, to the period of time she separates from his father - comes `out' as a lesbian, and places him within the care of her psychiatrist. The reader is presented with details of situations, emotions exhibited, and the effects it had on Augusten Burroughs.
Descriptions within this book inspire thought, and allow you to capture the atmosphere, moods, and happenstance of each occurrence described. Even the explanatory observance/involvement this boy has while watching his mother pamper herself is shared carefully. The detail of the hairdryer ticking as it cools down, his comparison of that to the noise of all things that become hot and go through the cool down period - allows the reader to be pulled into the story. This author inputs captivation of the sensory by mentioning fragrance (smells), sight, and feelings. I enjoyed this element during portions of the book, because it engages interest. Moments like this I found myself drawn into the text and thinking about how much this boy seemed to admire his self-absorbed mother.
Augusten Burroughs takes his bizarre upbringing, puts it into print, and allows lessons to shine forth. I feel that this author did a fine job on this sharing and it was perhaps the manner he presented the material that allowed me to partake the read. Certainly it packs power to allow most dysfunctional situations to seem... well... normal? This is truly an engrossing book. Other suggested titles (recent purchases, for me) Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris and The Losers' Club: Complete Restored Edition by Richard Perez.
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