Running with Scissors

About the book

Augusten Burroughs recounts his adolescence living with his mother’s psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, after his parents' marriage dissolves. In this Victorian house in Massachusetts, standard social boundaries disappear. Augusten finds himself in a chaotic environment where the doctor interprets dreams via bowel movements, children play with medical equipment, and a pedophile occupies the backyard shed. The narrative documents Burroughs’ transition from a controlled childhood into an unsupervised world filled with Valium, junk food, and an absence of formal schooling or adult supervision.

This memoir attracts readers interested in dysfunctional family dynamics and dark comedy. Those who appreciate blunt honesty about neglect and trauma find a narrative that uses humor as a survival mechanism. Readers gain a perspective on how an individual can navigate a total lack of structure and parental guidance without losing their sense of identity. It offers a factual look at unconventional domestic lives and the resilience required to outlive a volatile, eccentric upbringing through creative observation and wit.

Details

Published

2002

Language

EN