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 psychiatrist, a dead-ringer for Santa and a lunatic in the bargain. Suddenly, at age twelve, Augusten Burroughs found himself living in a dilapidated Victorian in perfect squalor. The doctor’s bizarre family, a few patients, and a pedophile living in the backyard … the backyard shed completed the tableau. Here, there were no rules, there was no school. The Christmas tree stayed up until summer, and Valium was eaten like Pez. And when things got dull, there was always the vintage electroshock therapy machine under the stairs….
Running with Scissors is at turns foul and harrowing, compelling and maniacally funny. But above all, it chronicles an ordinary boy’s survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.
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I discovered Augusten Burroughs about the same time I discovered Haven Kimmel (A Girl Named Zippy). Their styles are distinct, and bear little resemblance, but both have an incredible talent for memoir writing. Running With Scissors is a dysfunctional, fascinating tale of the author who was raised by his psychiatrist, alongside several more of the psychiatrist’s patients. It’s as though the therapist started his own little commune. Real life is definitely stranger than fiction, and Burroughs’ tale proves it so.
Almost 20 years ago, I remember a friend reading RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, by Augusten Burroughs. I asked him how the book was; he replied, “Interesting.“
It took some time before another friend sent the book to me, eighteen years later, as a surprise. And what an interesting surprise it was. Within weeks, I had read every book the author wrote.
Augusten Burroughs’ writing is precise—and at times, unbelievable. As I read on, more pieces of the puzzle started fitting together, pieces of the sky, some clouds, bubbling water, and the bigger picture emerged.
In this book are experiences recorded, where upon reading, I ask myself if the author is not a bit free with his creative license.
Nonetheless, I choose to believe the story, as I relate to the experience of having been shipped away under the power of a parent struggling with mental instability.
This autobiography is a recounting of the boyhood experiences of a troubled youth living on a diet of pills, cake frosting, and alcohol, a boy who seldom attended school on a regular basis. Anyone who grew up in an unstable environment, had a family member who was struggling with mental illness, or moved several times, should relate to Augusten’s story.
In this autobiography, the author addresses mental illness. I applaud his work, his honesty to bring attention to one of the biggest problems, probably THE biggest problem affecting our cities, our schools, our country, our Mind, and our world.
Mental illness. Often inherited mental illness.
At the age of 11, with his parents divorced, the young boy’s mother sent him to live with her crazed psychiatrist, an out-of-date anachronism, an elderly man, (himself unstable,) raising children, in squalor, under more than unusual circumstances.
When we recognize mental illness in others, (which often stems from, or leads to addiction,) even if, or when we are strong enough to search for the demons within ourselves, we see only what is on the surface; like the one tenth of an iceberg floating above water.
What lies beneath the water, hidden in the depths of the ocean, (and the human soul,) is unseen by those above the surface, often even by ourselves.
Because we rely on our eyes, we do not see the underlying abuses that will lead to addiction and damage the soul; abandonment, acquisition, betrayal, greed, jealousy, physical, mental, sexual and spiritual abuse, and so much more.
“Ein Hammerstoß auf den Kopf kann die Seele verletzen.”
~ German saying
“A hammer strike on the head can damage the soul.
A strike on the head can serve to remind us not to judge others, for every one has a story, every one of us does the best we can, at the moment, to survive.
RUNNING WITH SCISSORS illustrates the tale of a boy in his pre-teens doing all he can to survive in whatever environment he finds himself in.
The expressions are colorful and Imaginative. This author draws me in with his festooned pages of metaphoric connections.
The boy’s relationship with a man in his twenties, living on the psychiatrist’s property to which the boy had been sent to live, is not unusual for young boys to desire.
We should all have a mentor.
We should all be a mentor.
More than often, it is the young boys who approach an older man in search of a mentor. Without a father around, a rational plea for survival. This relationship the boy Augusten found himself drawn into led to lifelong complications the author addresses with brutal honesty.
To me, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS’ writing flows like a bubbling brook. Upon finishing each chapter, I wanted to continue with the next—and I did. I found the syntax easy to follow and delighted reading the three hundred and fifteen pages in two nights.
Happy reading.
Excellent book! He is a superb author!!!
I said Running With Scissors is scary. Not in the haunted house boogie man kind of scary, but scary in the psychological sense. If I ever write a memoir, this book would be my guide in to how to make the scary parts f my life funny.
Augusten Burroughs draws you into his world and holds you there to the end. Fascinating memoir.
I heard so much buzz about this that I had to try it. I generally enjoy memoirs, was prepared for some difficult stories, and expected David Sedaris-like wry bitterness. What I got was a headache. I just couldn’t find myself engaged. Still don’t know entirely why – he is not a bad writer by any means, but I just never connected with him and the whole book left me feeling utterly disinterested.
Absolutely a great read, dark, funny,realistic but but far fetched and an absolute page turner- the way the story is told will make you wish it weren’t over once you’re finished with the book. Will definitely make you want to explore more from this author.