Running With Scissors

by Augusten Burroughs
Running With Scissors cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 8939
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781843541516
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books (UK)
  • Published: 2004-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Running with Scissors is a gripping and often hilarious memoir by Augusten Burroughs, detailing his unconventional upbringing after his mother placed him in the care of her psychiatrist. The book is a #1 New York Times bestseller and has been adapted into a feature film starring Annette Bening, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Joseph Fiennes. /n/n Burroughs' memoir offers a raw and unfiltered look at a childhood spent in a household filled with eccentric characters and bizarre situations. The book's dark humor and candid storytelling make it a compelling read, blending the absurd with the poignant in a way that resonates with readers.

Reviews
Bound2Books · 2019-07-26
compelling 4.00

The memoir offers a raw and unfiltered look into a tumultuous childhood, leaving readers both shocked and fascinated. The dark humor and brutal honesty make it a compelling read.

This memoir is a wild ride through a childhood that most of us can't even imagine. The author's family life is so chaotic and dysfunctional that it's hard not to feel grateful for your own upbringing. The dark humor is what makes this book so compelling—it's a way to cope with the absurdity of it all. The writing is raw and unfiltered, which makes it feel incredibly authentic. You'll laugh, you'll cringe, and you'll definitely be left thinking about it long after you've finished.

Quick quotes

    Augusten Burroughs' childhood makes most people grateful for their boring upbringings.

    His family life was volatile and far too much to process.

    The dark humor is what makes this book so compelling.

Sanch Writes · 2011-04-26
engaging 4.50

The book is a witty and darkly humorous exploration of a seemingly horrible childhood. The author's perspective and humor make it an engaging and thought-provoking read.

This memoir is a fascinating look into what could be perceived as a horrible childhood. The author's use of dark humor is what makes this book so unique. It's not just a story about a messed-up family; it's a story about how the author copes with it all. The writing is sharp and witty, and it's hard not to be drawn in by the author's voice. You'll find yourself laughing at the absurdity of it all, even as you're shocked by some of the things that happen.

Quick quotes

    Running with Scissors is a witty look into what could be perceived as being a horrible childhood.

    Burroughs looks at it through dark humour.

    The writing is sharp and witty.

The Guardian · 2003-02-15
powerful 3.50

The memoir is a brutal and terrifying account that sparks controversy and divides critics. The honesty and rawness of the story make it a powerful and unforgettable read.

This memoir is not for the faint of heart. It's a brutal and terrifying account of a childhood that most of us can't even fathom. The honesty and rawness of the story make it a powerful and unforgettable read. It's not surprising that it sparked so much controversy and divided critics. The author's willingness to share such personal and painful experiences is both admirable and shocking. You'll be left thinking about it long after you've finished.

Quick quotes

    The brutal, terrifying and decidedly unfunny book instantly generated a storm of publicity and controversy.

    Critics were deeply divided, and the book received a lot of attention.

    The reaction you are supposed to have to Augusten Burroughs's memoir Running With Scissors is "Wow!"

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