Running with Scissors

by Augusten Burroughs

Is it the James Frey effect, or is this memoir so much like fiction that I didn't believe a word of it? I don't know. I think it's a little of both.

Anyway, this is Burrough's memoir of his wacky teen years. His mother, the poet, was psychotic. His father, the professor, was a cold, unfeeling alcoholic. Once they divorced, total chaos ensued. It was at that time that Augusten was forced into the world of the Finch family. Dr. Finch was his mother's shrink, and his family was just as nuts as Augusten's. Still, Augusten is welcomed into the fold, and Finch eventually becomes his legal guardian.

Sounds more like fiction than fact? Yet still entertaining? That's right--go ahead and enjoy this one. The pop culture references of the seventies are wonderful. And the absolute nuttiness of this story is compelling. Enjoy! Just don't believe every word of it.

1/5/07