Running with Scissors

Augusten Burroughs’s memoir traces a childhood upended by the unconventional decisions of his mother, who entrusts her young son to the care of a charismatic but deeply unorthodox psychiatrist. Set against the backdrop of late‑1960s rural Massachusetts, the narrative unfolds within a sprawling household populated by eccentric adults, unmedicated patients, and a rigid hierarchy that blurs the lines between therapy and domestic life. Through a lens of wry observation and dark humor, Burroughs examines the lasting impact of this chaotic environment on his developing sense of self. The work engages with broader questions about mid‑century psychiatric practices, the reliability of memory, and the complex ways children navigate familial abandonment. Notable for its unflinching candor and literary precision, the book invites readers to consider how early exposure to instability shapes identity, while maintaining a tone that balances tragedy with sharp, often unexpected comedy. It remains a significant entry in contemporary memoir for its candid exploration of family dysfunction and the enduring search for belonging.