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I have been a fan of Burroughs' writing since Running with Scissors first came out. Much like Walls' The Glass Castle, Burroughs had a truly unique and disturbing childhood. I enjoyed reading Running with Scissors, but thought the film version was terrible; I also really liked Magical Thinking - some of the essays had me laughing out loud. His wit really comes through in many of his books, but others show his more serious side, and that is what we see in A Wolf at the Table, which focuses on his relationship (or lack thereof) with his father.

If you have not read Burroughs before, this is not one I would start with, but so far, I am enjoying the haunting memoir.

Sidenote: I saw the author speak two years ago, and he was fantastic. Charming, candid, and very audience-friendly.

I have this book, but haven't read it yet. I really enjoyed Running With Scissors and the way Burroughs told his story. I have read a couple of the stories in Magical Thinking too and, like Stephanie, found myself laughing out loud. I also have to agree with Stephanie about the movie. I couldn't even get through it which was a major disappointment to me! I was really looking forward to it.

Stephanie, I'm interested to see what you think of the book when you're finished. I was able to get a hardcover copy through the trading site I'm part of when it first came out. When I am able to get something that fast, it usually is not a good sign! So I'm very curious!

I've yet to read anything by Augusten Burroughs, but I'll have to remedy that. I did watch part of Running With Scissors on t.v. and didn't like it, but I think it was the acting. I'd like to read the book.

Definitely read the book. The movie was a huge disappointment.

Just finished!

While I have enjoyed all other works by Burroughs, I did not enjoy his latest memoir that pertained more directly to his relationship with his father. I prefer the witty and sarcastic Burroughs that I have seen in all of his other non-fiction works - this book was definitely darker and more disturbing than his others. I felt myself wanting to cry through the entire book, which is the emotion I am sure Burroughs wants his readers to feel, but not in a "pity me" sort of way. (I have seen him speak - you can tell this is not what he wants from his readers.) As a high school teacher in a community with some very troubling families, I wanted to take in this small Augusten and give him a happy childhood, like I do with many of my students.

I would recommend this to people that have read every other non-fiction title by Burroughs, but this is NOT a starting point if you have not read anything else by him. It's just too dark. If you want to read Burroughs, I suggest starting with Running with Scissors, then Magical Thinking, then Dry, then this one.

He is one of my favorite authors, and I am glad he continues to share his stories with us. I hope that he has found peace and happiness in his adulthood.