Running With Scissors: A Memoir - Augusten Burroughs > Reviews

Advantages: Like nothing I've ever read before
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...or buy the book. With Running With Scissors, I did immediately like the cover, there's a picture of a young boy with a cardboard box on his head and the quote 'The Brady Bunch on Viagra' - Rachel Cooke, Observer in the top corner. Deal done, liked the cover, bought the book. And sometimes this principle goes awry and I get a bad book, but not this time. Running With Scissors is a memoir, written by Augusten Burroughs, a memoir of a life ... Read review

Advantages: funny, but is it supposed to be?!
Disadvantages: disturbing, crude, bad language

...and Dry, a sequel to Running with Scissors. He lives in New York City. This book is currently being made into a film starring, among others, Vanessa Redgrave, Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. Running with Scissors remains on the New York Times bestseller list. The book has been on the list for more than eighty-two weeks. * Overall * Four stars, I have to take one away because there's a heck of a lot of swearing including some really, ... Read review

Advantages: Thought-provoking and dryly funny.
Disadvantages: Some may find the events disturbing.

When reading 'Running With Scissors', it's worth bearing in mind that, whilst it is a memoir, it is only 'loosely' based on the truth. After publication of the book, how loosely is not clear as the author Auguesten Burroughs is in the process of being sued by the 'Finch' family. The story follows Burroughs sketchy process of puberty in Massachusetts in the Seventies, as he is adopted by his mothers psychiatrist. His mother is particularly unsuccessful ... Read review

Advantages: Good entertainment, funny and easy to read
Disadvantages: can't put it down, not good if reading on train, might miss stop

This is a great story which has been made into a film for release soon. It's a humourous story about a boy from an unusual family, his mother gives him to her psyciatrist to live and be looked after but like his mother the psyciatrist and his family are also quite far from sane. Leading to a number of different occurances take place that do not usually occur in the life of young boys making it a riveting read. The book is a true story, which is suprising ... Read review