Running with Scissors: A Memoir

Summary

Running with Scissors is the true story of a boy whose mother (apoet with delusions of being Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by herpsychiatrist, a dead ringer for Santa and a lunatic in the bargain.

Suddenly, at age twelve, AugustenBurroughs found himself living in a dilapidated Victorian house in perfectsqualor. The doctor’s bizarre family, a few patients, and a pedophile living inthe backyard shed completed the tableau. Here, there were no rules. There wasno school. The Christmas tree stayed up until summer, and Valium was eaten likePez. And when things got dull, there was always the vintageelectroshock-therapy machine under the stairs.

Running with Scissors is at turns foul and harrowing,compelling and maniacally funny. But above all, it is a truly amazing chronicleof an ordinary boy’s survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.