2012 Puddly Awards
 
 
Follow us on TwitterFollow us on FacebookFollow us on Google+Follow us on TumblrSubscribe to RSS

Recently Viewed clear list

Guests | May 2, 2012

Julia Alvarez: IMG Chichiguas

0 comments By Julia Alvarez

I wouldn't have met Piti if it hadn't been for a chichigua. To translate chichigua as a kite does not do justice to these beautiful creations of... Continue »
  1. $16.07 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    A Wedding in Haiti

    Julia Alvarez 9781616201302
spacer
Ships free on qualified orders.
$6.95
Used Trade Paper
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
Qty Store Section
1 Beaverton Literature- A to Z
9 Beaverton DISP- USED FEATURED
2 Local Warehouse DISP- USED FEATURED

Running with Scissors: A Memoir

by Augusten Burroughs

Running with Scissors: A Memoir Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

 
The #1 New York Times Bestseller
 
An Entertainment Weekly Top Ten Book of the Year
 
Now a Major Motion Picture
 
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 doctors 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 boys survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.
 
Running with Scissors Acknowledgments

Gratitude doesnt begin to describe it: Jennifer Enderlin, Christopher Schelling, John Murphy, Gregg Sullivan, Kim Cardascia, Michael Storrings, and everyone at St. Martins Press. Thank you: Lawrence David, Suzanne Finnamore, Robert Rodi, Bret Easton Ellis, Jon Pepoon, Lee Lodes, Jeff Soares, Kevin Weidenbacher, Lynda Pearson, Lona Walburn, Lori Greenburg, John DePretis, and Sheila Cobb. I would also like to express my appreciation to my mother and father for, no matter how inadvertently, giving me such a memorable childhood. Additionally, I would like to thank the real-life members of the family portrayed in this book for taking me into their home and accepting me as one of their own. I recognize that their memories of the events described in this book are different than my own. They are each fine, decent, and hard-working people. The book was not intended to hurt the family. Both my publisher and I regret any unintentional harm resulting from the publishing and marketing of Running with Scissors. Most of all, I would like to thank my brother for demonstrating, by example, the importance of being wholly unique.

Review:

"Beautifully written with a finely tuned sense of style and wit...this memoir of a nightmarish youth is both compulsively entertaining and tremendously provocative." Publishers Weekly

Review:

"Edgier but reminiscent of Dave Eggers' Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, this is a survival story readers won't forget." Gillian Engberg, Booklist

Review:

"Burroughs has written an entertaining yet horrifying account that isn't for the squeamish: the scatological content and explicit homosexual episodes may limit its appeal. Recommended for the adventurous seeking an unsettling experience among the grotesque." Library Journal

Synopsis:

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.

Synopsis:

A #1 "New York Times" bestseller--the true story of a boy whose mother gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist--Burroughs's memoir is now a feature film from TriStar Pictures, scheduled for release in September and starring Annette Bening, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Joseph Fiennes.
back to top

About the Author

Augusten Burroughs is the author of Sellevision and Dry: A Memoir. He lives in New York City.
back to top

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 13 comments:
Annams, December 30, 2011 (view all comments by Annams)
The author's memoir, Running With Scissors, is a personal account of his life growing up with his mother's psychologist. At twelve years old, Augusten Burroughs, formerly known as Chris Robinson, finds himself living with this unorthodox family after his mother tells him she must focus on her writing rather than be a good mother to her 13 year old son, who she believes is distracting. Despite the slightly horrifying stories that make up this memoir, Burroughs' writing style is interesting and humorous, making this a great read.
Some readers may find that this memoir is full of grotesque stories that could appear to be made up, and according to the lawsuit filed against Burroughs in 2005, they are. However, by looking past this and instead focusing on the author's growth as a writer and an individual, it is clear he has become a free thinker who is confident in his notions about life. Initially, he was a young boy obsessed with his dreams and his hair, but by the end, he is an adult who is aware that he has the ability to make his own decisions.
I found this memoir to be extremely riveting. Yes, the stories within the story are often disgusting and sad, but overall, I thought it was a fantastic book. The author reels you in from the opening chapters and continues to engross you in his childhood tales. I often asked myself while reading, “Did that really just happen?” This book is definitely for a mature audience, but anyone falling into that category can enjoy it.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
report this comment
conneroz, January 19, 2010 (view all comments by conneroz)
Excellent book. Full of experiences that are twisted to the point that many people can actually relate to them. A nice change from the banal cookie cutter life that doesn't really exist and few can ever connect with. Great work as usual from Augusten Burroughs.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(3 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
ameliajustice48, January 4, 2010 (view all comments by ameliajustice48)
This book is great. Well written, compelling, and funny as hell. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to laugh, cry, and realize that their family is not as crazy as they think.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
View all 13 comments
back to top

Product Details

ISBN:
9780312422271
Author:
Burroughs, Augusten
Publisher:
Picador USA
Author:
Chester, Adam
Location:
New York
Subject:
General
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Social life and customs
Subject:
Novelists, American
Subject:
Childhood Memoir
Subject:
Amherst
Subject:
Personal Memoirs
Subject:
General Biography
Subject:
Novelists, American -- 20th century.
Subject:
Burroughs, Augusten - Childhood and youth
Subject:
Biography-Literary
Copyright:
2003
Edition Number:
1st Picador ed.
Edition Description:
Trade Paperback
Series Volume:
TR-03-5
Publication Date:
May 2003
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
35 color illustrations
Pages:
320
Dimensions:
7.36 x 5.46 x 0.91 in
back to top

Other books you might like

  1. $9.99 Google eBooks add to wish list

    Dry: A Memoir

    Augusten Burroughs 9781429967808
  2. $9.99 Google eBooks add to wish list

    The Glass Castle: A Memoir

    Jeannette Walls 9781416550600
  3. $2.50 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    Sellevision

    Augusten Burroughs 9780312422288
  4. $4.50 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    My Sky Blue Trades: Growing Up Counter in a Contrary Time

    Sven Birkerts 9780670031092
  5. $9.99 Google eBooks add to wish list

    Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

    David Sedaris 9780759511217
  6. $9.99 Google eBooks add to wish list

    Me Talk Pretty One Day

    David Sedaris 9780316073653
back to top

Related Subjects


Biography » Literary
Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
Fiction and Poetry » Literature » Featured Titles
Gay and Lesbian » Fiction and Poetry » Men's Fiction
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Biography » General

Running with Scissors: A Memoir Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$6.95 In Stock
Product details 320 pages Picador USA - English 9780312422271 Reviews:
"Review" by , "Beautifully written with a finely tuned sense of style and wit...this memoir of a nightmarish youth is both compulsively entertaining and tremendously provocative."
"Review" by , "Edgier but reminiscent of Dave Eggers' Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, this is a survival story readers won't forget."
"Review" by , "Burroughs has written an entertaining yet horrifying account that isn't for the squeamish: the scatological content and explicit homosexual episodes may limit its appeal. Recommended for the adventurous seeking an unsettling experience among the grotesque."
"Synopsis" by , 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.
"Synopsis" by , A #1 "New York Times" bestseller--the true story of a boy whose mother gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist--Burroughs's memoir is now a feature film from TriStar Pictures, scheduled for release in September and starring Annette Bening, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Joseph Fiennes.
spacer
spacer
  • back to top
Follow us on...



Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.