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Possible Side Effects
Possible Side Effects
Author: Augusten Burroughs
National Bestseller From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Running with Scissors comes Augusten Burroughs's most provocative collection of stories yet. From nicotine gum addiction to lesbian personal ads to incontinent dogs, Possible Side Effects mines Burroughs's life in a series of uproariously funny essay...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780312426811
ISBN-10: 031242681X
Publication Date: 4/17/2007
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 230

4 stars, based on 230 ratings
Publisher: Picador
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

mrsb avatar reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Okay ... so, I am reading this book and I am chuckling at some of the stories (this book is a bunch of his life's stories, in no order) and I am thinking to myself how is it possible that one person can have so much crazy stuff happen to them and thinking what a talented writer he is to take the every day norm stuff and make it funny ... that is until his story about first edition books. So, obviously, I go to the front of the book to see if the one I have is a first edition (it's not, BTW) and I see this teeny tiny notice written at the very top that says:

SOME of the events described happened as related, others were EXPANDED and CHANGED. Some of the individuals portrayed are COMPOSITES of more than one person, and many names and identifying characteristics have been changed as well.

Hmmm ... isn't this the sorta the same thing that got James Frey (Million Little Pieces) in trouble? I was VERY disappointed reading this and it has honestly changed my mind about a lot of what he has written and I have enjoyed. I almost wish I had never seen that very small note, because now I am not sure I would read any more of his books ...
reviewed Possible Side Effects on
Helpful Score: 3
Great book. Similar to magical thinking. I really laughed at the stories in this book.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
i love just about everything burroughs has written!
reviewed Possible Side Effects on
Helpful Score: 2
Another hysterical book by Augusten Burroughs. The book is all about situations from his life.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Absolutely one of my favorite writers. A realist and an extremist and very hilarious.
Read All 36 Book Reviews of "Possible Side Effects"

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joebear1967 avatar reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 3 more book reviews
Couldn't put this book down!!!
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 14 more book reviews
I liked this, but it was a bit racy at times.
Bernelli avatar reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 266 more book reviews
A collection of sometimes sad but mostly funny, sometimes sarcastic but mostly honest, sometimes neurotic but hilariously universal essays. A fun quick read with Augusten Burroughs usual quirky charm tossed in.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 51 more book reviews
This was a much lighter topic than Dry. But Dry was good. Possible Side Effects had me laughing out loud. Sometimes I can relate to his point of view (like with Cowcow) but still cracked up. Other stories he tells are pleasant and insightful. He just has a way with words. A good read.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 38 more book reviews
If you're unfamiliar with Burroughs, he is the younger brother of John Elder Robison (of "Don't Look Me In the Eye" fame) and son of poet Margaret Robison. This book chronicles different points in his life, presented in short essay form, regarding all sorts of information from his addiction to Nicorette gum (better than smoking cigarettes?) to his partner Dennis and their two dogs, to memories of strange incidents from childhood. Other members of the family are introduced (John Elder, their grandmothers in Georgia, their parents) and no one can especially escape the odd vibe permeating from this particular family.I enjoy reading these essays because I can relate to them. As another person with Asperger's Syndrome, my outlook on life is perceived as skewed by most neurotypical people. And that only serves to make me laugh in recognition and support when Burroughs talks about how he moves through the NT landscape, too.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 14 more book reviews
Makes me ready for the next Augusten Burroughs book to be published. Poignant, funny, honest.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 17 more book reviews
Another truely funny read from things in real life situations. This guy inspires me to write about all the crazy yet funny things in my life. Can't seem to get enough.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on
i love augusten burroughs and anything he has to say about his life.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on + 5 more book reviews
A funny narrative of events in Burroughs life. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read his other books.
reviewed Possible Side Effects on
This was hilarious and on par with Augusten Burroughs' other books. He's my new favorite after reading "Dry" and I couldn't put this one down either.

Book Wiki

People/Characters
Augusten Burroughs (Primary Character)
John Elder Robison (Minor Character)

Genres: