Reading the phone book would be more stimulating. Get over yourself Augusten. This book may be a better Read than a Listen. I gave it almost 2 hours and could not stand another minute.

If someone wants to they can write a book about anything they want to. A publisher, if they want to, can publish whatever book they want to. A consumer can purchase, if they want, whatever book they want to. That is how things come to be sometimes. This is a book that should never have been written, should never have been published and I should never have purchased.

The subject matter attracted me to the book since I lived with a real Wolf at the Table. Many reviewers warned that this book was not worth buying. I thought to myself, I just had to read it to see if it was like what I went through with my father. Also, I wanted to see if it was as bad as some had written or if they just did not understand. I do not mind the authors writing style, how he reads his material or the songs. In fact, I liked all of those things. What I did not like at all and was actually offended by, was Mr. Burroughs interpretation of a bad father and his interpretation of how bad his father was towards him.

Let me explain. Suppose there was a scale to measure a fathers parenting and supposes the scale ran from -10 for an extremely bad father to 10 for the best of fathers. On that scale I would rate Mr. Burroughs father as a 1 and I would rate my experiences with my father as a -6. I know living with my father was horrendous but I also know that some people have suffered far greater than I did. I at least have some perspective on this subject, Mr. Burroughs has none or he would have been too embarrassed to write this book. Too embarrassed because so many others have suffered so much more. It would be like a soldier whining about the terrible desk job he had to suffer through during the war while others that actually saw battle had all their limbs blown off along with their balls. It is sad when anyone suffers but Mr. Burroughs comes across as a spoiled whining brat. Oh if he only truly knew of what he speaks, he would never have spoken.

I have listened to all of his books, and this one is quite different. The narration is a little heavy in the beginning, and I'm sure that will put a lot of people off. As the story of a boy trying to make sense of a crazy life and an unfortunate set of parents, it is extremely powerful. By the end, I was crying and the hair was standing up on my arms. I can tell you that I gave my own son an extra big hug that night! I'm very glad I stuck with it.

It took me a while to buy into the tone and premise of this memoir, with its haunting sound edits and frankly disturbing musical accouterments, and the dirge-like pace of the author's narration. Agreed, this is not the funny, witty, ironic Augusten we have come to know and love, the Augusten who has over the past few years or so managed to make lemonade out of lemons.

But after staying the course with Augusten there was much relatable material, and the narration of his terrifying family life resonated deeply within.

Additionally, I found that AB's pushing the limits of the audiobook format to be a refreshing and unexpectedly valid use of the medium. I did feel that he could have dialed down the drama in his narration, however, and picked up the pace somewhat, as his words speak so eloquently unassisted. That is the only reason for my "3 out of 5" rating.

It's right in the middle. I like Burroughs and his work in general

The story was shocking and sad. But it gives great insight to the author, his writing and his style of humor.

I have listened to almost all of his books

What I didn't like about the book was the tone the author used to read throughout the story. It was odd coming from an author who seems so at ease and casual in other readings. His voice, the speed, the tone did nothing to enhance the story.

This is extremely different than Burroughs other books-It's not comedic, its more drama. Its extremely heart felt. It really feels like he pours his heart out in this book. Also listen to the whole thing, after he plays a song at the end he has an outro that explains why the songs are there, and it may have you listen to the songs differently than you had at first. If you're looking for a comedy, this is not it. Very well written, at time i was unsure of weather I liked the audio and how it was read at time, but over all it grew on me and I enjoyed it very much. I definately reccomend this.

I've listened to all his other books and enjoyed them, he reads this one as if to 5 year olds, not just slow, which it is, but with a funny rising emphasis at the end of each sentence. It is very annoying.

Like all of Augusten Burroughs's other writings, this one is good, if a little on the dark side (a little to the darker, sadder side than even Running With Scissors).

This one is narrated by the author, and while he sounds fine, he... reads... so... slowly. It made me wish for a button on my iPod that would speed things up just a bit. Could have been a single file download instead of two if he'd just read at a bit faster clip.

wolf at the table sounds false. not funny.

As usual, his writing is very entertaining & interesting. I've read almost all of his books & really enjoy his style.