Running with Scissors: Summary and book reviews of Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, plus links to an excerpt from Running with Scissors and a biography of Augusten Burroughs.

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 unorthodox psychiatrist who bore a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. So at the age of twelve, Burroughs found himself amidst Victorian squalor living with the doctor’s bizarre family, and befriending a pedophile who resided in the backyard shed. The story of an outlaw childhood where rules were unheard of, and the Christmas tree stayed up all year round, where Valium was consumed like candy, and if things got dull an electroshock- therapy machine could provide entertainment. The funny, harrowing and bestselling account of an ordinary boy’s survival under the most extraordinary circumstances. See also "Settlement reached in Running with Scissors suit" news story, 8/31/2007.

Media Reviews

Out Now This is an American Grotesque...that the tale is true only adds to the hilarity--and the horror.   Library Journal Burroughs has written an entertaining yet horrifying account that isn't for the squeamish: the scatological content and explicit homosexual episodes may limit its appeal.   Publishers Weekly Beautifully written with a finely tuned sense of style and with the occasional cliche.   Booklist Burroughs tempers the pathos with sharp, riotous humor in stories that are self-deprecating, raunchy, sexually explicit.... scatological, grotesque, and deeply affecting. David Rakoff, author of Fraud Simultaneously hilarious and horrific.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Jen
Shocking and Touching
I'll admit, there were chapters that made me feel almost violated because they were so grotesque. But these things happened to him...funny or appalling, things like this happen to people every day, usually not in this amount. The things that...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Denise (Trinidad)
Disgusting!
This is the most disgusting book I've ever read. It is very difficult to see the humour in it. The only reason I continued reading was because it is supposed to be true of someone's life. If it really describes the author's childhood, I honestly...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Barbara
You have got to be kidding
There are very few books that once I get through them, I wish I had never read. I understand the fast-pace and the funny situations that other reviewers have noted, but I could not forget that this is supposed to be the story of a real person's...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Olivia A.
Running With Scissors
This book is an awesome, exciting read and ridiculously funny. You never know what's going to happen next. It's a must read.

Rated of 5 by Kristine1975
Amazing read
Augusten Burroughs has recently become one of my very favourites! Running with scissors is absolutely amazing.I wasn't able to put it down.Hes a wonderful author and I'm thankful he decided to share his life with us. You'll fall on the floor when u...   Read More

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