Helpful Score: 4
Okay ... so, I am reading this book and I am chuckling at some of the stories (this book is a bunch of his life's stories, in no order) and I am thinking to myself how is it possible that one person can have so much crazy stuff happen to them and thinking what a talented writer he is to take the every day norm stuff and make it funny ... that is until his story about first edition books. So, obviously, I go to the front of the book to see if the one I have is a first edition (it's not, BTW) and I see this teeny tiny notice written at the very top that says:
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
Helpful Score: 3
Great book. Similar to magical thinking. I really laughed at the stories in this book.
Helpful Score: 2
i love just about everything burroughs has written!
Helpful Score: 2
Another hysterical book by Augusten Burroughs. The book is all about situations from his life.
Helpful Score: 2
Absolutely one of my favorite writers. A realist and an extremist and very hilarious.
Helpful Score: 2
Twisted yet hysterical!! I have since ordered every book Burroughs has written....this one is funnier then Running with Scissors
Helpful Score: 2
I attempted it. It just seemed really self-absorbed and not my type of book overall. I probably made it 2 chapters in before I gave up and passed it on.
Helpful Score: 2
LOVED this book. Read it in less than a day... Burroughs has quite a gift.
Helpful Score: 2
I have read every book Augusten Burroughs has written. I felt that "Possible Side Effects" was the worst of his books. It seems like he was desperately trying to find something/anything to write about. It didn't have the demented humor I was used to from his earlier books. Perhaps he is having financial troubles since he had to pay off the psychiatrist's family he lived with in his teens and wrote about in "Running With Scissors" since they sued him claiming a lot of what he wrote about them wasn't true!
Helpful Score: 1
Okay ... so, I am reading this book and I am chuckling at some of the stories (this book is a bunch of his life's stories, in no order) and I am thinking to myself how is it possible that one person can have so much crazy stuff happen to them and thinking what a talented writer he is to take the every day norm stuff and make it funny ... that is until his story about first edition books. So, obviously, I go to the front of the book to see if the one I have is a first edition (it's not, BTW) and I see this teeny tiny notice written at the very top that says:
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
Helpful Score: 1
Okay ... so, I am reading this book and I am chuckling at some of the stories (this book is a bunch of his life's stories, in no order) and I am thinking to myself how is it possible that one person can have so much crazy stuff happen to them and thinking what a talented writer he is to take the every day norm stuff and make it funny ... that is until his story about first edition books. So, obviously, I go to the front of the book to see if the one I have is a first edition (it's not, BTW) and I see this teeny tiny notice written at the very top that says:
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
Helpful Score: 1
Love Augusten Burroughs--the way he writes is like a conversation with your funniest friend. There is some overlap here with Running With Scissors, but this is not a novel--it is a collection of stories. Highly enjoyable.
Helpful Score: 1
Its what I'd expect from Augusten, although I preferred Dry and Running with Scissors. Parts of this book were really engrossing and other parts werejust distasteful.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this one. My favorite was the broken tooth story. Poor Dennis, the guy cannot do anything right, plans this whole big romantic weekend and... bah. I am not too much on the skipping around of the "true stories". I miss the traditional memoir format, but it's okay :)
Helpful Score: 1
After reading his previous book I couldn't help myself but to buy his most recent even though it was still in hardcover. I loved it.
Helpful Score: 1
Reading this (as with several of Burroughs' books)is one of my great guility pleasures. His writing is crisp, exciting, and leaves one wondering, "Did he make that up?" The vignettes from his life do ring true, even when they are difficult to believe or think about. And once again I wonder, as I do after reading any of Burroughs' books, "How did this guy even survive his childhood?!" And then I want to go make him a pie.
Augusten Burroughs has done it again. This book is great!
This was hilarious and on par with Augusten Burroughs' other books. He's my new favorite after reading "Dry" and I couldn't put this one down either.
Another truely funny read from things in real life situations. This guy inspires me to write about all the crazy yet funny things in my life. Can't seem to get enough.
i love augusten burroughs and anything he has to say about his life.
I liked this, but it was a bit racy at times.
Okay ... so, I am reading this book and I am chuckling at some of the stories (this book is a bunch of his life's stories, in no order) and I am thinking to myself how is it possible that one person can have so much crazy stuff happen to them and thinking what a talented writer he is to take the every day norm stuff and make it funny ... that is until his story about first edition books. So, obviously, I go to the front of the book to see if the one I have is a first edition (it's not, BTW) and I see this teeny tiny notice written at the very top that says:
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.
Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
A funny narrative of events in Burroughs life. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read his other books.
Unique. Interesting. Hilarious. Burroughs has a special gift; I hope he keeps writing!
If you're unfamiliar with Burroughs, he is the younger brother of John Elder Robison (of "Don't Look Me In the Eye" fame) and son of poet Margaret Robison. This book chronicles different points in his life, presented in short essay form, regarding all sorts of information from his addiction to Nicorette gum (better than smoking cigarettes?) to his partner Dennis and their two dogs, to memories of strange incidents from childhood. Other members of the family are introduced (John Elder, their grandmothers in Georgia, their parents) and no one can especially escape the odd vibe permeating from this particular family.I enjoy reading these essays because I can relate to them. As another person with Asperger's Syndrome, my outlook on life is perceived as skewed by most neurotypical people. And that only serves to make me laugh in recognition and support when Burroughs talks about how he moves through the NT landscape, too.
Couldn't put this book down!!!
Makes me ready for the next Augusten Burroughs book to be published. Poignant, funny, honest.
Having read "Running With Scissors" I expected more of this author and was initially disappointed at the shallow content, but upon delving further into his work, I came to understand his self-deprecating humor and really enjoyed the remainder of the book.
A collection of sometimes sad but mostly funny, sometimes sarcastic but mostly honest, sometimes neurotic but hilariously universal essays. A fun quick read with Augusten Burroughs usual quirky charm tossed in.
This was a much lighter topic than Dry. But Dry was good. Possible Side Effects had me laughing out loud. Sometimes I can relate to his point of view (like with Cowcow) but still cracked up. Other stories he tells are pleasant and insightful. He just has a way with words. A good read.
Hilarious! This guy puts David Sedaris to shame!
This is the first book I've read by Burroughs and I thoroughly enjoyed it. His sense of humor may not be for everyone but I smiled, chuckled and laughed!!
This was a good book. I like short stories.
This book was hysterical... in a sarcastic kind of way!
Not one of my favorite Augusten Burroughs but still an enjoyable read.
Its just distastful.. I mean why do we care what its like to be an alcoholic. Perhaps some might I however found it very unfunny then again I don't laugh at drunks I feel bad for them. Some people might laugh at them.
The only funny part was about cowcow and thats because I have a dog and can relate. The rest of it.. just sick and sad..
I feel even worse now for the animals at the SPCA..
and hate drunks even more. What can I say..
The only funny part was about cowcow and thats because I have a dog and can relate. The rest of it.. just sick and sad..
I feel even worse now for the animals at the SPCA..
and hate drunks even more. What can I say..
