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Running with Scissors: A Memoir Audiobook
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(3.00) - 171,546 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"I found myself laughing hysterically at this book while simultaneously shaking my head in horror.... is how someone started to review this book and i coukdn't say it any better! It's the story of the author's life between 13-16. His mother began to have psychotic episodes and finds her way to a bizarree psychiatrist, Dr. Finch. Soon, every aspect of their lives are touched by Dr. Finch and his equally bizarre family. At times, the events are horrifying... think molestation, drug use and rape but remarkably, Burrough's manages to find the humor even in these situations. This book left me scratching my head in disbelief that these people actually exhist!"
— Kerri (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Burrough’s account of his deranged adolescence there is clear-eyed and often wildly funny. To hear it not only in his own words, but in his own voice in this fine production is ideal.”
— AudioFile -
“A bawdy, outrageous, often hilarious account.”
— New York Times -
“Hilarious, freaky-deaky, berserk, controlled, transcendent, touching, affectionate, vengeful, all-embracing. It makes you happy that there’s such a thing in the world as a string of written words.”
— Washington Post
Awards
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New York Times bestseller
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Oprah Pick for Best Memoirs of a Generation
Running with Scissors Listener Reviews
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" The film sucked. The book was tense and silly. Like a boy, in box, with nowhere to run. "
— Jon-david, 2/20/2014 -
" I found myself scouring the Internet after reading this book attempting to find out if the outrageous stories presented by the author are really truths. It turns out there was a lawsuit against the author for basically embellishing his stories. Regardless, he gets a high mark from me for creatively penning this crazy book. "
— Jiill, 2/14/2014 -
" Never has someone's disturbing past been told in such a matter-of-fact and often hilarious way. His other stuff is better, but this is still enjoyable. "
— Miranda, 1/26/2014 -
" Read this book some time ago. Came up recently in a book club I belong to. Tried to read again. I have come to the conclusion that I just don'g get "dark humor." Not a book I much care for. "
— Laverne, 1/18/2014 -
" The degree of dysfunction of the people in the main character's life is absolutely amazing. Hard to believe that this is a true story but sadly it is. Does have humor amongst the sexual abuse, physical abuse, pedophilia, neglect, and psychosis. How the main character ever remained remotely sane is beyond my understanding. "
— Michelle, 1/14/2014 -
" This was a book club selection. I can't honestly say I read this book, because I got to a certain place in the book after having to push myself to keep reading, I just couldn't go any farther and threw it across the room. "
— Catherine, 1/11/2014 -
" I don't believe a lot of the claims in this book. "
— Ylanda, 1/10/2014 -
" I could barely get through it! "
— Chris, 1/8/2014 -
" This book was well-written and it was a very interesting story... I am just very succeptible to mental images dealing with sexual assault, and they stick with me for way too long. This book described Burroughs experiences as a child and teen with perverts, and I didn't enjoy that part of the book. "
— Toni, 12/27/2013 -
" There was nothing about this book that I liked . "
— Kathy, 12/23/2013 -
" Horrible. I tortured myself even more and waitched the HORRIBLE movie. This was one of the books that I wanted to put down the entire time, but forced myself to finish because it supposedly is a true story. Did I mention that I hated it? "
— Jeanne, 12/22/2013 -
" Way better than the movie. The movie really made me sad because this book is so interesting and bizarre. "
— Katie, 12/5/2013 -
" This was a great read. I bordered on being disturbed and being entertained. I could not put it down. The characters were very simply complex. "
— Carol, 12/4/2013 -
" I am having trouble getting through this, partially because I have lived through family dysfunction and am in a different place now. I might keep reading but have read several other wonderful books in the meantime. Wonderful writing. "
— Mary, 11/19/2013 -
" The fact that I'd seen the film first meant I had the rare experience of preferring the film to the book... "
— Charlotte, 9/14/2013 -
" I felt like i got immersed in a weird, surreal reality - that, experiencing it through Augusten's eyes and words, is bearable, and in some ways so over the top that it is funny. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author - very enjoyable voices! "
— Agnes, 8/8/2013 -
" Whoa is what I have to say about this book! It grossed me out but intrigued me at the same time. Great writer I would read another book by him. "
— Marci, 7/30/2013 -
" i wish there was a minus star, this book was awfull "
— Bea, 5/29/2013 -
" This book is just crazy. There are scenes I cannot get out of my head. "
— Joy, 2/24/2013 -
" Too crazy for me. Felt very creepy reading about a 13 year old boy and his 30-something boyfriend. And that seemed to take over the book about half way through. Wouldn't recommend to anyone. Won't even donate the book but throw it away. "
— Diane, 1/17/2013 -
" I listened to this book on CD and LOVED it. It is simultaneously hilarious and a great insight into humanity. I would really recommend listening to this book as read by the author, Augusten Burroughs, as his inflections really bring the story and hilarity to life. A must read! "
— Shmee, 1/2/2013 -
" A very sad memoir. Horrific childhood that no one should have to live through. I found it amazing that he had the strength to share those private details. Will most definately NOT see the movie. "
— Smschade, 12/14/2012 -
" I remember that it came out that Burroughs exaggerated, but I don't see how any degree of exaggeration could make what happened to him something I'd like to read. Just heartbreaking. I also feel like he only told the sensationalist side of the story. We never see how it all affected who he is now. "
— Lindsay, 5/20/2012 -
" Seriously crazy book. It's supposed to be humorous but it wasn't funny at all. Couldn't put it down but it was disturbing to think of all the terrible things that happened in these people's lives. "
— Meredith, 4/28/2012 -
" Great look into less discussed forms of abuse such as neglect. It also displays a vivid look into the family dynamics of mental illness. "
— Michele, 4/21/2012 -
" "The line between normal and crazy seemed impossibly thin. A person would have to be an expert tightrope walker in order not to fall." "
— Meagan, 3/26/2012 -
" Where were Childrens Services when they were needed? "
— Stephen, 10/13/2011 -
" Another brilliantly written childhood memoir. You can not put it down despite the fact that this guy's childhood memories are enough to give you nightmares. "
— Emma, 9/23/2011 -
" Funny and very different. That's what I like. "
— Ann, 9/10/2011 -
" This book was very funny at times, and then very disturbing at times. I'm not quite sure what to say other than that. It was entertaining... "
— Linda, 6/27/2011 -
" Did not like any part of this book! "
— Lane, 6/27/2011 -
" Strange book, not horrible, but so off the wall it wasn't my style. "
— Shelly, 6/25/2011 -
" Overall, I thought this book was hilarious, but at times, the reader needs to look past the tragedy of the events described in the book. "
— Meagan, 6/25/2011 -
" I read this book in about four hours, mostly because the story resembled a car crash - it was impossible to look away. The things the author went through (crazy mother, alcoholic father, etc.) are absolutely mind boggling, and certainly make one appreciate normalcy and the mundane a bit more... "
— Christina, 6/25/2011 -
" Disturbing, yet couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read the sequel! "
— Laura, 6/23/2011 -
" Very disturbing, I laughed when I now I shouldn't have. "
— Christi, 6/21/2011 -
" Well written but very disturbing for me "
— Judi, 6/20/2011 -
" This was a weird one because I didn't really care for it but I'm glad I read it. I think sometimes its necessary to take ourselves out of the sun shiny happy story to put things into perspective. I appreciated the authors dry humor. "
— Amber, 6/20/2011 -
" It was so gross and twisted, yet I couldn't put it down! "
— Jules14228, 6/19/2011 -
" I listened to the author read this one on CD. It's pretty graphic with lots of profanity, but I admit to laughing out loud at a few of the incidents. He reminds me of David Sedaris. I hear there's a movie with Gwynneth Paltrow - I may have to watch that one. "
— Pattyb, 6/17/2011 -
" Entertaining and honest... movie doesn't do justice...what a shame... "
— Dawnekins, 6/16/2011 -
" Awful, horrible, terrible book.......I'll never read this author again! "
— Robin, 6/15/2011
About Augusten Burroughs
Augusten Burroughs is the author of the autobiographical works Running with Scissors, Dry, Magical Thinking, Possible Side Effects, and A Wolf at the Table, all of which were New York Times bestsellers. Running with Scissors remained on the bestseller list for over two consecutive years and was made into a Golden Globe-nominated film starring Annette Bening.