Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of being 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 house in perfect squalor. The doctor's bizarre family, a few patients, and a pedophile living in the backyard shed completed the tableau. Here, there were no rules. There was no school. The Christmas tree stayed up until summer ...
Read More
Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of being 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 house in perfect squalor. The doctor's bizarre family, a few patients, and a pedophile living in 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 is a truly amazing chronicle 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.
Read Less
Add this copy of Running With Scissors: a Memoir to cart. $3.11, good condition, Sold by Bank of Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ventura, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Macmillan Audio.
Add this copy of Running With Scissors to cart. $3.11, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by MacMillan Audio.
Add this copy of Running With Scissors to cart. $5.90, good condition, Sold by The Yard Sale Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Narrowsburg, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Macmillan Audio.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. The published insert is a photocopy produced by the library. 7 AUDIO CDs withdrawn from the library collection. Some library marking. We will polish the Audio CDs for a reliable listening experience. You will receive a worthwhile set. Enjoy this AUDIO CD performance.
Add this copy of Running With Scissors: a Memoir to cart. $7.90, good condition, Sold by The Yard Sale Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Narrowsburg, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Macmillan Audio.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. 7 AUDIO CDs withdrawn from the library collection. Some library marking. We will polish the AUDIO CDs for smooth listening. You will receive a reliable set. Enjoy this presentable AUDIO CD performance.
Add this copy of Running With Scissors to cart. $8.66, good condition, Sold by The Yard Sale Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Narrowsburg, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Macmillan Audio.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. 7 AUDIO CDS! AUDIO CD performance. Each CD POLISHED prior to shipping for quality sound. You will receive a reliable set. Enjoy this AUDIO CD edition for your home and library.
Add this copy of Running With Scissors to cart. $9.99, good condition, Sold by The Yard Sale Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Narrowsburg, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Macmillan Audio.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. 7 AUDIO CDs withdrawn from the library collection. We will polish each of the CDs for a smoother listening experience. You will receive a reliable set of Audio CDs good enough to share. Enjoy this worthwhile AUDIO CD performance.
Add this copy of Running With Scissors to cart. $10.90, good condition, Sold by The Yard Sale Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Narrowsburg, NY, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by macmillan Audio.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Audio Book 7 AUDIO CDs withdrawn from the library collection, polished for your satisfaction for a worthwhile set. Clean CDs insure a clear listening experience. Some library marking to the box and the CDs. The CDs are in an individual slots, protected and clear sounding. Enjoy this Audio CD performance.
Add this copy of Running With Scissors: a Memoir to cart. $60.98, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Macmillan Audio.
Book was like new in excellent shape and arrived very quick to my residence. Excellent service!
Conundrum
Jun 13, 2009
Running with Scissors: Review by Conundrum
To be totally honest, I actually watched the movie, ?Running With Scissors? before I read the book. However, the movie is what interested me in the stories of Augusten Burroughs. In my opinion, ?Running with Scissors? took some major bullocks to write. The story is so intriguing that you just cannot put down the book. I found myself completely drawn into the world of a boy, Augusten Burroughs, attempting to become an independent entity while struggling with obstacles beyond the boundaries of even the most active imagination. The story of his life is sad, yes. However, he seems to find the humor in his turmoil flawlessly.
Dealing with a psychotic mother, Deirdre, and the ?adopted? Finch family that is perhaps even worse off, Augusten somehow stays true to himself. I admit, this book is not for those of a high moral standard with preconceived notions of ?normal?. This book is also not for close-minded, judgmental people either. No, this book is for those of us that know life is truly flawed and that very bad things can happen and almost always will. It is also a testament that good people who get put in drastically horrible situations will either flounder or prevail. Well, Augusten definitely prevails.
The characters are engaging and somewhat mysterious at times. For me, it was slightly difficult to put my finger on what motivated Agnes (the wife of Finch) and Hope (daughter of Finch). However, they both play intricate roles in his story.
The other characters, however, all had extremely potent personalities. Finch (the Psychiatrist of Deirdre), is an unusual patriarch in many, many ways. I mean, at one point, he actually believes that his excrement will dictate the family?s financial situation. Odd, hmmm? Natalie (youngest daughter of Finch) is a force of nature. I believe that she helps Augusten realize that it is ok to be himself. She supports him and him and is the closest thing he has to a friend. At the other end of the spectrum is Bookman, (lover of Augusten, adopted by Finch as well), an extremely complex, psychotic character. The way he approaches the world and the people in it is an enigma, to say the least.
I can?t say much more without completely giving away the entire plot to the book, so I will end with this. I highly suggest ALL of Augusten Burroughs books. Trust me, I have read every one and they are all more than fantastic.
I hope this review was helpful to you and that you might have even enjoyed it.
Thank you for your time.
marylee
Feb 14, 2008
I bought this as an audio book and threw it in the trash. I wouldn't even donate it or pass it on. It's disgusting, perverted. I can't believe it's a true story. Albris service was superb in delivery of all products I've ordered from them, I just made a mistake with this selection.
thinkbillly
Jun 3, 2007
What?!?
I bought this book in the bookstore at JFK and read it enroute to Manchester, England. At the end of the flight I ditched it in a trash can at the airport. I loved it right up until the last chapter. I would have to reread it (groan) to pinpoint what exactly made me dislike it so much. Not going to happen. I did see the film (at a two dollar theatre, just in case,) hoping to catch what I missed in the reading. Both book and film felt contrived, I guess...
bonzo
Apr 7, 2007
like a car accident
This, along with many other books by Burroughs, hold the same elemental features. The stories are somewhat connected yet charmingly anachronistic. Sometimes disturbing, sometimes outrageous, sometimes disturbingly outrageous; the memories in this collection hold a distinct power over the reader. Even if you wish you could, it is almost impossible to put it down. Some might feel ashamed for enjoying it, much like passing a bloody car crash on the highway at an all-too-slow speed. But I assure you, the outcome at the end of this experience is far more hilarious and a lot less fatal.
