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Running with Scissors  By  cover art

Running with Scissors

By: Augusten Burroughs
Narrated by: Augusten Burroughs
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Publisher's summary

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 12, 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 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.

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.

©2002 Augusten Burroughs (P)2002 Audio Renaissance, a Division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award Finalist, Adult Non-Fiction, 2003

"Beautifully written with a finely tuned sense of style...this memoir of a nightmarish youth is both compulsively entertaining and tremendously provocative." (Publishers Weekly)

"Bawdy, outrageous, often hilarious." (The New York Times)

"Sharp, riotous humor...deeply affecting...this is a survival story readers won't forget." (Booklist)

What listeners say about Running with Scissors

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So horrifyingly absurd it can’t help make you laugh and cry.

A fascinating memoir that is a kin to a car wreck on the highway. You just can’t look away.

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a harrowing tale of embracing dysfunction

I saw the film many years ago and I was both saddened and elated to find out it was a true story. this book filled in so many gaps. and having also embraced and overcome a dysfunctional family dealing with mental disease- Agusten is a hero with an amazing sense of humor.

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really enjoyed

really liked the story but I wasn't a fan of his voice narration. I know it's his story I just want a fan of him reading it. sorry

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favorite book

this is my fav book & movie have read & watched over 10 times. Such a wild story.

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Entertaining read

I read this book about 20 years and it was fun to revisit one of my favorites. The story is crazy but so enjoyable.

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Favorite author.

Favorite author by far. I really enjoyed all of his books. 4 more words required.

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Old but worth it

It took me awhile to start this book on audible because it’s definitely an old recording. But it’s worth it. This story is one that’s hard to believe happened but also just an amazing insight into an unorthodox life. Amazing!

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not for the faint of heart

not a fan of the narration or of the movie adaptation, but one of my favorite books and authors. Augustin Burroughs is the king of brutally honest memoirs. I loved this book, but I hated the movie. the movie has none of the twisted comedy, it's just depressing. I suggest just picking this one up and reading g for yourself, for me the narrator is half the battle. some books are just better read by yourself. but I do suggest reading. it's fabulous

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Profound, Multi-faceted, Brutally honest

When you've lived a life and had a childhood as tragic/peculiar/wild as this Author, his accounting of it all will speak to you. I feel as if I have lived 100 lives. Growing up the eldest child of a narcissist and a sociopath (though it was often difficult to discern which was which), I understand him. When dealt the kind of hand Augustine borroughs and I were dealt, you have two options; Let the tragedy swallow you up into the abyss, or use it as fuel to propel yourself into a life you truly deserve. Two children can be raised by a drug addict father, one will grow up to be a drug addict, the other never takes a sip. If you ask them both, what happened? The both tell you, "I watched my father."
I use humor as a defense mechanism as well. But tell me, of all the choices for a defense mech, wouldn't you agree it's the least invasive? The most optimistic?. I think I'd rather keep my sense of humor, as did Burroughs, than to grow bitter, intolerable, and unbearable for others to be around. I read this book over and over. Aside from the cruddy sound quality. The audio was just as much a hit. Thank You A.B. for telling your story. Don't ever stop thinking like you do.

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Great

This book was amazing. I love this author. His messed up life makes mine seem somewhat better. Yet I can relate.

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