Running with Scissors
by Augusten Burroughs
Why read it
This darkly funny coming-of-age memoir recounts the author's chaotic adolescence after being sent to live in the eccentric, rule-free household of his mother's psychiatrist. It is a standout selection for anyone who appreciates razor-sharp wit, outrageous domestic eccentricity, and an unflinching look at personal resilience in the face of profound dysfunction.
Where to get it
In the Netherlands, you can listen to the audiobook edition—narrated by Augusten Burroughs himself—via platforms like Audible, Kobo, Storytel, Apple Books, and Google Play Audiobooks. It can also be found via the Dutch Online Library depending on current foreign-language catalog availability, while print and ebook copies are readily available at bol.com, Amazon.nl, and international booksellers like American Book Center or Waterstones Amsterdam.
What to expect
Tone is darkly humorous, biting, irreverent, and surprisingly poignant. The pacing is lively and episodic, making it very accessible and quick to get through. Content notes include severe family dysfunction, child neglect, mental illness, predatory relationships involving minors, substance abuse, and foul language.
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