It’s not often that I regret taking time to read a book…  wishing that I’d never picked it up.  But such is the case with Augusten Burroughs’ memoir, Running with Scissors. 

I’m not even sure where I got this book (if you gave it to me, let me know and I’ll be happy to return it to you), but I noticed it sitting on my desk about the time I was looking for some holiday reading material.  I seemed to recall previews for the movie – a scene with Gwyneth Paltrow and some kid knocking a hole in the ceiling to let in more light, and the dad thinking nothing of it….  and I thought it sounded kind of quirky, and decided to read the book.

I was NOT prepared for what lay in the pages.  Well written, yes.  Funny, at times.  Engaging – well, I did finish the book….  and then when I put it down, wished I hadn’t.  In fact, wished I’d never picked it up.    It was extremely disurbing, disgusting, crass, depressing and downright bizarre.    These are characters you’d expect to see shouting obscenities at each other on the Jerry Springer show.  While I’m all for finding the humor in any situation, these stories of abuse and mental illness were a bit graphic and disturbing for me to be able to enjoy them.      That this is a memoir is truly sad….   though a testement to the human spirit’s ability to be able to survive the most horrifying of childhoods.  

I mentioned to Kathy that I reading it the other day, and she said “Oh – I started reading that and put it down half way through… and I rarely decide not to finish a book.  Just too disturbing.”   I wish I’d talked to her before I picked it up….

So that’s my review.  I give the book 1.5 stars out of 5. 

On the other hand – I highly recommend Eat, Pray, Love and believe I’ll read it again.

Have you read this book and have a differing view?  Did you feel the same as me?   What books have you read, then wish you hadn’t?