Running with Scissors, Augusten Burroughs

Early on in his life, Augusten was introduced to the Finch household and the family of Dr. Finch, his crazy mother's psychiatrist. The Finches live in a household which is, in many ways, even more insane than life with Augusten's mother and father (who, for comparison, are quite literally at eachother's throats more often than not, and one of which once threw an enormous Christmas tree off the porch).

The Finch children enjoy almost total freedom, mostly due to the belief of Dr. Finch that a person reaches adulthood at the age of thirteen, as well as the fact that their parents are more than eccentric themselves. In the psychiatrist's home, amusement can be found by playing with the old electroshock therapy machine, and taking some Valium or Lithium is a casual affair.

On an ordinary day with the Finches, one might decide to tear down the kitchen ceiling, for example, and not gain more than a sideways glance (so long as you cleared out the plaster). And if the maid of a motel stole your earrings, fitting revenge might be to throw all of your room's furnishings into the pool. Not only that, but if a thirteen-year-old boy decided to become romantically and sexually involved with the man, over fourty years old, who formerly lived in the Finch's barn, it certainly might be disapproved of, but after all, a thirteen-year-old is an adult who's free to do as he chooses.

More often than not, Running with Scissors is a hilarious collection of unbelievable anecdotes. However, it should be noted that much of the book contains very dark subject matter - rape, for example, and domestic violence. Overall, however, it was a very good book, and difficult to put down. I would recommend it for anyone tolerant with an appreciation for the eccentric.