Running with Scissors

Publisher details

Author
Augusten Burroughs
Publisher
Pan Macmillan
Genre
Biography and Memoir
Released
01 June, 2003
ISBN
9780312422271

Running with Scissors

Buy now

Retail partners

Synopsis

Running with Scissors" is the true story of a boy whose mother (a poet with delusions of Anne Sexton) gave him away to be raised by her unorthodox psychiatrist who bore a striking resemblance to Santa Claus. So at the age of twelve, Burroughs found himself amidst Victorian squalor living with the doctor's bizarre family, and befriending a pedophile who resided in the backyard shed. The story of an outlaw childhood where rules were unheard of, and the Christmas tree stayed up all year round, where Valium was consumed like candy, and if things got dull an electroshock- therapy machine could provide entertainment. The funny, harrowing and bestselling account of an ordinary boy's survival under the most extraordinary circumstances.
Augusten Burroughs
About the author

Augusten Burroughs

Augusten Burroughs was bornChristopher Richter Robison  in Pittsburgh, PA on October 23, 1965 and raised in Western Massachusetts.  Almost eighteen years after accepting his first advertising job, Augusten left the industry to pursue a career as an author. Two years later, his 2002 memoir, Running with Scissors, became a publishing phenomenon, spending over three consecutive years on theNew York Times bestseller list. It was made into a movie starring Annette Bening and Alec Baldwin.  All of Augusten's subsequent books -Dry, Magical Thinking, Possible Side Effects, A Wolf at the Table, You Better Not Cry & This is How- were instant New York Times bestsellers. His writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers worldwide including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian UK, The Sydney Morning Herald and many more. He has been twice voted to Entertainment Weekly's famed, "Funniest People in America" list, featured as a cover story inVanity Fair, profiled extensively in magazines likePeople and Time, provided commentary for National Public Radio, penned a monthly column for Detailsand hosted his own radio show for Sirius. In 2013 Augusten married his literary agent and best friend, Christopher Schelling.

Books by Augusten Burroughs

Related articles

PODCAST: Hannah Richell & Michelle Prak on Their Favourite Phases When Writing

Podcast

20 July 2026

PODCAST: Hannah Richell & Michelle Prak on Their Favourite Phases When Writing

    Vote Now to Win Australia's Favourite 100 New Books

    News

    15 July 2026

    Vote Now to Win Australia's Favourite 100 New Books

      Podcast: Holden Sheppard & Peter Polites on Their Unique, Diverse Backgrounds

      Podcast

      13 July 2026

      Podcast: Holden Sheppard & Peter Polites on Their Unique, Diverse Backgrounds

        PODCAST: Libby Trainor Parker on Finding Healing Through Advocacy

        Podcast

        6 July 2026

        PODCAST: Libby Trainor Parker on Finding Healing Through Advocacy

          PODCAST: Sarah Trad on Hospitality and Building Her Dream House

          Podcast

          29 June 2026

          PODCAST: Sarah Trad on Hospitality and Building Her Dream House

            Vote for the Better Reading Kids' Top 50 and go in the draw to win

            News

            26 June 2026

            Vote for the Better Reading Kids' Top 50 and go in the draw to win

              PODCAST: Joan Sauers on Film and Mysteries

              Podcast

              22 June 2026

              PODCAST: Joan Sauers on Film and Mysteries

                PODCAST: Victoria Purman on Journalism, Publishing and Vintage Books

                Podcast

                15 June 2026

                PODCAST: Victoria Purman on Journalism, Publishing and Vintage Books

                  Q&A: Maya Linnell, Author of Sunrise at Sunny Cross Farm

                  News | Author Related

                  8 June 2026

                  Q&A: Maya Linnell, Author of Sunrise at Sunny Cross Farm

                    PODCAST: What Are You Reading? The App with Caroline Overington

                    Podcast

                    8 June 2026

                    PODCAST: What Are You Reading? The App with Caroline Overington

                      COMMENTS

                      Leave a Reply

                      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *