Running with Scissors
Augusten Burroughs’ Running with Scissors is a memoir that defies convention, weaving a tapestry of chaos, humor, and resilience that is as captivating as it is unsettling. Published in 2002, this New York Times bestseller chronicles Burroughs’ unconventional and often shocking adolescence, offering readers an unflinching look at a childhood marked by dysfunction, absurdity, and unexpected moments of tenderness. Through his razor-sharp wit and vivid storytelling, Burroughs transforms a harrowing coming-of-age tale into a darkly comedic masterpiece that lingers long after the final page.
The memoir begins with a young Augusten, born Christopher Robison, navigating a turbulent home life with his poet mother, Deirdre, and his alcoholic father, Norman. Deirdre, who harbors delusions of grandeur akin to Anne Sexton, struggles with severe mental health issues, while Norman’s abusive and distant demeanor exacerbates the family’s volatility. When their marriage dissolves, Deirdre sends Augusten, at the tender age of 12, to live with her eccentric psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, in a dilapidated Victorian house in Northampton, Massachusetts. What follows is a whirlwind of bizarre experiences that test Augusten’s resilience and shape his identity in profound ways.
Burroughs’ narrative voice is the heart of Running with Scissors. His ability to recount traumatic events with a blend of innocence and biting humor is nothing short of remarkable. The memoir is peppered with moments that are simultaneously hilarious and horrifying, such as the Finch family’s unconventional “therapies” or their decision to keep a Christmas tree up year-round. Burroughs’ prose is direct and unadorned, yet rich with childlike curiosity and keen observations. He captures the surreal nature of his surroundings with a clarity that makes even the most outlandish scenarios feel painfully real. As he writes, “I was like a packet of powdered Sea Monkeys and they were like water,” perfectly encapsulating his immersion into the chaotic Finch household.
One of the memoir’s greatest strengths is its cast of unforgettable characters. Dr. Finch, a Santa Claus lookalike with wildly unorthodox psychiatric methods, is both charismatic and deeply flawed, creating an environment where rules are nonexistent, and Valium is consumed like candy. His family, including the rebellious Natalie and the devout Hope, are equally compelling, each contributing to the household’s anarchic energy. Augusten’s relationship with Natalie, in particular, blossoms into a genuine friendship that provides moments of warmth amidst the madness. Even more complex is his troubling relationship with Neil Bookman, a 33-year-old “adopted son” of Dr. Finch, which highlights the memoir’s unflinching exploration of abuse and survival.
Critics have praised Running with Scissors for its raw honesty and comedic brilliance. The New York Times called it “a bawdy, outrageous, often hilarious account,” while The Washington Post lauded its ability to “[blow] every other [memoir] out of the water.” These accolades are well-earned, as Burroughs manages to balance grotesque humor with poignant reflections on identity, family, and self-discovery. His ability to find humor in the darkest moments—whether it’s the Finch family’s scatological fortune-telling or a staged suicide attempt to avoid school—demonstrates a resilience that is both inspiring and relatable.
The memoir’s setting, a crumbling Victorian house filled with clutter and chaos, serves as a vivid metaphor for Augusten’s fractured world. Yet, it’s within this chaos that he discovers his own strength and individuality. His obsession with shiny objects and dreams of stardom reflect a yearning for beauty and order, a stark contrast to the squalor around him. These details, rendered with a child’s-eye perspective, make Augusten’s journey deeply personal and universally resonant.
While some have questioned the veracity of Burroughs’ account—leading to a lawsuit from the Turcotte family, the real-life inspiration for the Finches—the emotional truth of the memoir remains undeniable. Burroughs himself has acknowledged the subjective nature of memory, and the power of Running with Scissors lies not in its factual precision but in its ability to capture the essence of a boy’s survival under extraordinary circumstances. The memoir’s blend of humor, horror, and heart invites readers to reflect on their own definitions of family and resilience.
In conclusion, Running with Scissors is a tour de force that challenges readers to laugh, cringe, and marvel at the human spirit’s capacity to endure. Augusten Burroughs has crafted a memoir that is as entertaining as it is provocative, offering a window into a world that is both alien and deeply human. For those who appreciate bold, irreverent storytelling with a touch of the absurd, this book is a must-read. It’s a testament to the power of humor and self-awareness in overcoming even the most unconventional of childhoods.
You can buy Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/44by2rj
The memoir begins with a young Augusten, born Christopher Robison, navigating a turbulent home life with his poet mother, Deirdre, and his alcoholic father, Norman. Deirdre, who harbors delusions of grandeur akin to Anne Sexton, struggles with severe mental health issues, while Norman’s abusive and distant demeanor exacerbates the family’s volatility. When their marriage dissolves, Deirdre sends Augusten, at the tender age of 12, to live with her eccentric psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, in a dilapidated Victorian house in Northampton, Massachusetts. What follows is a whirlwind of bizarre experiences that test Augusten’s resilience and shape his identity in profound ways.
Burroughs’ narrative voice is the heart of Running with Scissors. His ability to recount traumatic events with a blend of innocence and biting humor is nothing short of remarkable. The memoir is peppered with moments that are simultaneously hilarious and horrifying, such as the Finch family’s unconventional “therapies” or their decision to keep a Christmas tree up year-round. Burroughs’ prose is direct and unadorned, yet rich with childlike curiosity and keen observations. He captures the surreal nature of his surroundings with a clarity that makes even the most outlandish scenarios feel painfully real. As he writes, “I was like a packet of powdered Sea Monkeys and they were like water,” perfectly encapsulating his immersion into the chaotic Finch household.
One of the memoir’s greatest strengths is its cast of unforgettable characters. Dr. Finch, a Santa Claus lookalike with wildly unorthodox psychiatric methods, is both charismatic and deeply flawed, creating an environment where rules are nonexistent, and Valium is consumed like candy. His family, including the rebellious Natalie and the devout Hope, are equally compelling, each contributing to the household’s anarchic energy. Augusten’s relationship with Natalie, in particular, blossoms into a genuine friendship that provides moments of warmth amidst the madness. Even more complex is his troubling relationship with Neil Bookman, a 33-year-old “adopted son” of Dr. Finch, which highlights the memoir’s unflinching exploration of abuse and survival.
Critics have praised Running with Scissors for its raw honesty and comedic brilliance. The New York Times called it “a bawdy, outrageous, often hilarious account,” while The Washington Post lauded its ability to “[blow] every other [memoir] out of the water.” These accolades are well-earned, as Burroughs manages to balance grotesque humor with poignant reflections on identity, family, and self-discovery. His ability to find humor in the darkest moments—whether it’s the Finch family’s scatological fortune-telling or a staged suicide attempt to avoid school—demonstrates a resilience that is both inspiring and relatable.
The memoir’s setting, a crumbling Victorian house filled with clutter and chaos, serves as a vivid metaphor for Augusten’s fractured world. Yet, it’s within this chaos that he discovers his own strength and individuality. His obsession with shiny objects and dreams of stardom reflect a yearning for beauty and order, a stark contrast to the squalor around him. These details, rendered with a child’s-eye perspective, make Augusten’s journey deeply personal and universally resonant.
While some have questioned the veracity of Burroughs’ account—leading to a lawsuit from the Turcotte family, the real-life inspiration for the Finches—the emotional truth of the memoir remains undeniable. Burroughs himself has acknowledged the subjective nature of memory, and the power of Running with Scissors lies not in its factual precision but in its ability to capture the essence of a boy’s survival under extraordinary circumstances. The memoir’s blend of humor, horror, and heart invites readers to reflect on their own definitions of family and resilience.
In conclusion, Running with Scissors is a tour de force that challenges readers to laugh, cringe, and marvel at the human spirit’s capacity to endure. Augusten Burroughs has crafted a memoir that is as entertaining as it is provocative, offering a window into a world that is both alien and deeply human. For those who appreciate bold, irreverent storytelling with a touch of the absurd, this book is a must-read. It’s a testament to the power of humor and self-awareness in overcoming even the most unconventional of childhoods.
You can buy Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/44by2rj
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