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Running with Scissors: A Memoir
by Augusten Burroughs

Running with Scissors: A Memoir Cover

Powells.com Staff Pick

"Burroughs has a way of writing reminiscent of David Sedaris. His mock-naivete is a little shocking, a little naughty. He confesses to things that most people just don't admit to in polite conversation. But the twinkle in the eye is there, the nudge in the side encouraging you to "c'mon, admit it ? you thought it was funny." Also, like Sedaris, Burroughs makes laugh-out-loud fun of his family, his own quirks, and his experiences growing up. Yet Burroughs's family life is pretty damn extraordinary ? his account of his teenage years tends to have you clutching your stomach with laughter, while covering your mouth in horror and utter disbelief." Georgie Lewis, Powells.com (read the entire Powells.com review)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

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:

"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

Review:

"To the grand pantheon of bent and disturbo American coming-of-age stories, we can now add Augusten Burroughs? heartfelt and hysterical Running With Scissors. Burroughs has mined his nightmare of a life for literary gold, and the result is a memoir packed with enough horrific, funny, starkly grotesque and weirdly beautiful moments to thrill even the most jaded reader. This is a book you have to love." Jerry Stahl, author of Permanent Midnight

Review:

"You think your childhood was weird? Well maybe it was, but it wasn't half as weird as Augusten Burroughs'. Running With Scissors is the grotesquely funny and terribly sad memoir of a kid left to face the world on his own, with less than no help from the adults in his life, and who somehow manages to grow up anyway." Tom Perrotta, author of Election & Joe College

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.

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…

 

Running with Scissors Acknowledgments

Gratitude doesn’t begin to describe it: Jennifer Enderlin, Christopher Schelling, John Murphy, Gregg Sullivan, Kim Cardascia, Michael Storrings, and everyone at St. Martin’s 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.

Synopsis:

“OUTRAGEOUSLY AMUSING.”

--Entertainment Weekly

“COMPELLING.”

--USA Today

“BREATHTAKING.”

--Tampa Tribune

THINK YOUR CHILDHOOD WAS WEIRD?

ENTER THIS TWELVE-YEAR-OLD’S WACKY WORLD…

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…

"Promotes visceral responses (of laughter, wincing, retching) on nearly every page...funny and rich with child's-eye details of adults who have gone off the rails."

--The New York Times Book Review

Visit: www.augusten.com

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About the Author

AUGUSTEN BURROUGHS is the author of Sellevision. He lives in New York City.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
Ruth Blinderman, August 28, 2008 (view all comments by Ruth Blinderman)
I really loved this book. It was hilarious and strange and at times I actually had to look at the cover to remember it was a memoir. Augusten's writing style is amazing, and he really lets you into his head. Read this book!
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db, October 2, 2007 (view all comments by db)
they made a film out of it for a reason.. and while i haven't wasted my time seeing it.. the book is worth every second... hysterical.. hard-to-believe.. and impeccably written.. of all the Burroughs' books.. this is a must read.
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desert dolphin, November 1, 2006 (view all comments by desert dolphin)
My mom read this book and told me it was horrible. After hearing my mom's reaction and reading the publisher's description that describes befriending a pedophile, I have decided to leave this book on the bookstore shelves.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780312938857
Subtitle:
A Memoir
Author:
Burroughs, Augusten
Publisher:
St. Martin's Paperbacks
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Authors, American
Subject:
Novelists, American
Subject:
Childhood Memoir
Subject:
General Biography
Publication Date:
20060829
Binding:
MM
Language:
English
Pages:
352
Dimensions:
6.92x4.30x.93 in. .37 lbs.
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