Running with Scissors – Augusten Burroughs’ Candid and Humorous Memoir

“It’s no secret that Augusten Burroughs has a unique and often controversial style of writing. In his memoir, Running with Scissors, he invites readers to take a wild ride into his chaotic childhood, growing up in an unconventional family. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for an honest account of the struggle for self-discovery in a world of broken dreams and false promises.”

From relatable tales of teenage angst to outrageous stories of bizarre family dynamics, Running with Scissors offers an unforgettable look at one man’s journey from despair to hope. As Augusten Burroughs recounts his experiences of finding solace in unlikely places and learning to accept the unexpected, he reveals his resilience and courage as he struggles to make sense of an unpredictable world. His story is both heartbreaking and inspiring, providing readers with insight into how even the most difficult circumstances can be used as opportunities for growth.

Running with Scissors: A Memoir Review

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Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs is a hilarious, heartbreaking and inspiring memoir. It tells the story of a young boy’s remarkable journey through an outrageous life, with his eccentric mother and her strange friends, to a place of hope and courage. The book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and moments of immense beauty. From his strange childhood to his teenage years in a mental institution, Running with Scissors takes you on an unforgettable voyage.

Key features of Running with Scissors:
1. A hilarious, heartbreaking and inspiring memoir.
2. Filled with absurdly funny moments and poignant memories of growing up in unusual circumstances.
3. An unforgettable journey through the eyes of a young boy as he struggles to find himself amidst chaos and uncertainty.
4. A powerful story about resilience and the power of love in overcoming obstacles.
5. An eye-opening look into the complex inner workings of family dynamics and relationships.

Running with Scissors is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or faced adversity in their life. It’s an intimate exploration of what it means to have courage, be resilient, and ultimately find your own voice in times of darkness. With its honest and often humorous depiction of family dysfunctionality, this book is sure to touch your heart while making you laugh out loud at the same time! So take this wild ride with Augusten Burroughs through the ups and downs of life – you won’t regret it!

Product Details

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Product Name Author Published Date
Running with Scissors: A Memoir Augusten Burroughs June 1, 2003
Publisher Picador USA
Format Paperback
Language English
ISBN-13 “978-0312422271”

Running with Scissors: A Memoir Pros and Cons

1. Pros of Running with Scissors: A Memoir

  • A vivid and captivating memoir about Augusten Burroughs’ unconventional upbringing.
  • A candid account of his personal struggles and triumphs, which are often humorous and heartwarming.
  • An entertaining read that is sure to make you laugh and cry.
  • The book contains thoughtful reflections on family dynamics, the power of resilience, and the importance of self-acceptance.

2. Cons of Running with Scissors: A Memoir

  • Some readers may find certain elements of the story disturbing due to its frank depiction of mental illness and unorthodox family dynamics.
  • The narrative can be somewhat disjointed at times due to the inclusion of various memories from different points in time.

In conclusion, Running with Scissors: A Memoir is an engaging and powerful memoir that offers a unique perspective on family, identity, and growing up. It is a must-read for anyone looking for an honest and moving story about life’s ups and downs. Whether you’re looking for a laugh or some inspiration, this book will not disappoint!

Who are They for

Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs is a hilarious and heartbreaking story of growing up in an eccentric family. This memoir tells the story of his childhood, from age 12 to 18, when he was left in the care of his unconventional psychiatrist’s household. As Burroughs recounts his journey of self-discovery, readers are taken on a roller coaster ride of hilarity, heartache, and ultimate hope.

This book will make you laugh out loud as Burroughs shares his unique experiences and observations in life. He writes with such unflinching honesty that readers can’t help but feel connected to him. His story is filled with outrageous characters and situations that will have you questioning your own sanity. Running with Scissors takes readers on a wild ride through one man’s unusual upbringing that ultimately leads to a newfound appreciation for life.

Burroughs’ writing style is so captivating that it keeps readers hooked until the very last page. His wit and humor make this memoir an enjoyable read even when things get tough. The underlying message of hope and resilience makes this book an inspiring reminder to never give up on yourself no matter what life throws at you. Running with Scissors is sure to leave an imprint on your soul long after you finish reading it.

My Experience for Running with Scissors: A Memoir

Lloyd Kaufman

I was never one to take the conventional path in life, so it’s no surprise that I ended up reading Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs. And let me tell you, it was a wild ride!

From the moment I picked up this memoir, I couldn’t put it down. It’s an intense and laugh-out-loud funny read about growing up in an absurd world. Burroughs takes us on a journey of his eccentric childhood with stories of his dysfunctional family and their outrageous antics. It’s sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious, and always entertaining.

The best part is that Running with Scissors is incredibly relatable. Whether you’re familiar with the oddities of life or not, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud at Burroughs’ writing. His words flow like poetry and he captures moments of hilarity without trying too hard.

Most importantly, Running with Scissors offers an important reminder to embrace our weirdness and live life to its fullest potential – even if it means running with scissors every now and then!

 

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages List:
1. Too many explicit descriptions of events that some readers may find offensive.
2. The humor in the memoir can be overdone at times.
3. Many of the characters in the book come across as unsympathetic.
4. Some readers may find the tone of the memoir to be too sarcastic.
5. Readers unfamiliar with Augusten Burroughs’s other works could feel lost due to the lack of context.

How to Laugh at Adversity with Running with Scissors: A Memoir

Reading Running with Scissors: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs is a great way to learn how to laugh at adversity. In this unique autobiography, Augusten takes us through his childhood as he is sent to live with his eccentric psychiatrist mother’s family. Through the chaos of his new home, Augusten learns lessons about life and laughter that are both meaningful and humorous.

If you want to use Running with Scissors: A Memoir to learn how to laugh at adversity, here are some tips:

  • Take a moment each day to find the humor in difficult situations. When things seem overwhelming or chaotic, try to find the funny side of it.
  • Read stories from your own life that can make you laugh. Augusten’s story is full of moments of hilarity that come out of difficult circumstances.
  • Surround yourself with people who can make you laugh. The characters in Augusten’s memoir were able to maintain their sanity and joy despite their challenging circumstances because of their relationships with each other.
  • Don’t take yourself too seriously! It can be easy to get caught up in our own problems, but if we can step back and look at them from a different angle, we may find they aren’t as serious as they seem.

Through its combination of humor and heartache, Running with Scissors: A Memoir provides readers with an uplifting reminder that laughter can help us get through even the toughest times.

Questions about Running with Scissors: A Memoir

 

What is Running with Scissors about?

Running with Scissors: A Memoir is the true story of author Augusten Burroughs’ chaotic and unconventional childhood. At the age of twelve, Burroughs was taken from his mother’s home and placed in the care of her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, whose horrifying family and their bizarre habits turn Burroughs’ life upside down.

What kind of writing style does Augusten Burroughs use?

Augusten Burroughs’ writing style is darkly comic, often juxtaposing moments of extreme horror with moments of hilarity. His narrative voice is candid and honest, but also has a certain irreverent wit.

Who would enjoy reading Running With Scissors?

Anyone who enjoys reading a gripping coming-of-age memoir, or fans of Augusten Burroughs’ other works, will surely find enjoyment in this book. It is humorous, heart-wrenching, and full of unique characters and situations that will keep readers engaged throughout.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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