Running with Scissors Audiobook By Augusten Burroughs cover art

Running with Scissors

A Memoir

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Running with Scissors

By: Augusten Burroughs
Narrated by: Augusten Burroughs
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The #1 New York Times bestselling memoir from Augusten Burroughs, Running with Scissors, now a Major Motion Picture!

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 twelve, 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.

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Critic reviews

“Running with Scissors is a bawdy, outrageous, often hilarious account...some of this story might have been imagined by William Burroughs...In keeping with this book's dauntless comic timing, this guy doesn't miss a beat.” —Janet Maslin, The 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.” —Carolyn See, The Washington Post

“Beautifully written with a finely tuned sense of style and wit...this memoir of a nightmarish youth is both compulsively entertaining and tremendously provocative.” —Publishers Weekly

“Ever woder what it might be like to grow up in a lunatic asylum run by the lunatics? Augusten Burroughs' hilarious and horrifying memoir, Running with Scissors, tells the story...” —Los Angeles Times
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What did you like best about Running with Scissors? What did you like least?

I will carry this story with me for a long time. His childhood abuse was so heart wrenching that it made me cry. It is amazing that he could survive this and be able to write about it with humor and brush it off like "eh, it made me who I am today" Good for him for having that ability; I just want to scoop up the child he should have been and hug him.

What could Augusten Burroughs have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Been dealt a different mother.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the piece of $hi! doctor losses his license.

Could you see Running with Scissors being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, please no.

Any additional comments?

My heart goes out to you Austen, you deserved so much better.

Heart wrenching

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Very interesting story. It could have been depressing read but the way he writes and makes the characters and his personality come to life was very enjoyable.

Enjoyable

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This audiobook was recommended by a friend otherwise I am not sure I would have chosen it. I am glad I gave it a listen! It is funny, sad and ironic in turns! I have heard this book is loosely based on the author's life. What a crazy tail! I can definitely say that you will not be able to predict any part of the story!

Interesting look at deviant lives!

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After reading 'Dry', I wanted to listen to more from the author. I thought the story was a bit disjointed and find it hard to believe it was made into a movie. Still, the narration is incredibly good and there are enough weird moments to hold your attention. The doctor's signal from the heavenly Father is one of the most unbelievable things I've ever heard. Either this stuff is true or the author is one heck of a creative writer.

Crazy, sometimes funny.

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

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

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