Running with Scissors - Augusten Burroughs

I finally managed to find the time, or should I say make the time to read this book. Like many avid bibliophiles I tend to collect more books than I am able to read. So though I had good intentions and had contemplated reading this book many months ago. Did it happen then, obviously not, otherwise I would have told you all about it. But now I can say like many others before me that I have read a book by Augusten Burroughs.

I love this man. I love his writing style and that he has the ability to draw the reader into his, at times, crazy world. I initially was full of contempt for Augusten's self absorbed mother who I felt never deserved to be a part of his world. But I soon came to see that through no fault of her own she was a sufferer of mental illness, and the illness certainly dictated many of her actions and the ill conceived decisions she would make concerning Augusten.As you will learn - if you read this book - Augusten would spend most of his life in the Finch family who, believe it or not, end up making Augusten's life with his mentally ill mother and alcoholic father appear normal.

There a couple of times throughout the book that I felt there was way too much disclosure - namely some of the sex scenes - but on the other hand I felt this just made the acts that often involved the 13yr old Augusten and his 33 yr old pedophile boyfriend even more disturbing.

Now don't get me wrong 'Running with Scissors' is definitely about more than dysfunctional families - well actually that is about all it is, but you would not believe just how hilarious living on the edge can at times be. I recall a few occasions where I could not turn the page and read on as I was shaking too much with laughter. Or the other time when I was desperate to keep reading the book but could not as the tears of laughter that were running down my cheeks were making it impossible for me to read.

While reading this book I often found myself shaking my head and wondering why no one intervened in this boy's life - no one who was semi normal - but it also forces me to respect this boy who managed to become a successful advertising executive; a recovering alcoholic; and a best selling writer.  Sometimes good things do come from seemingly bad situations, and for those who wait - or go out and grab it.

Now I really must go and finish Augusten's next novel 'Dry' about the continuing saga that was, and continues to be his life...