Running with Scissors

With the impending release of the movie, and a conversation yesterday with an old friend, Running with Scissors has come across the radar of the next book on the chopping block. Thankfully, I enjoyed Running with Scissors so it won't be chopped too hard.

Running with Scissors is a memoir by author Augusten Burroughs recounted his strange, dark childhood. I'm very curious as to how this will be adapted to the big screen, as the novel is extremely graphic in places and although hailed as humourous, I didn't find it really funny at all. This isn't to say I didn't enjoy reading the memoir, but rather couldn't turn away from the train wreck that was Augusten Burroughs' childhood.

Augusten was abused by a pedaphile, practically abandoned by his mother and fed prescription medication like it was candy by the crazy shrink, Dr. Finch, with whom Augusten's mother left him. Augusten finds commroderie with Finch's daughter Natalie, and the two pave the way for a path of destruction to themselves and the household. The house holds a zoo of strange behaviour, from Mrs. Finch who nibbles on dog food as a snack, to Hope, another daughter, who proudly displays her father's crap for inspection (and yes, that's crap literally.) Natalie and Augusten run amuck making holes in the ceiling for a skylight, skipping school, drinking and smoking.

Augusten comes to the realization as he ages and matures (a miracle in itself given his circumstances) that having all the freedom in the world may not be the best way to live. Boundries need to be raised and rules respected. For all the horrendous events that occur, this was the one lesson that stuck out and gave true meaning to Running with Scissors.