Meghan (bookreadera) -
Helpful Score: 9
Can I give it a negative star?
Disclaimer: A. If I hadn't had to review this, I never would have picked it up. I've only ever thrown 2 books in the dumpster and "Running With Scissors" was one of them. B. As a mental health professional, I'm biased in my interpretation of this work.
Often when I review a book I find myself typing "great story, just poorly written." Well, this is the opposite. It is well written. Self-serving load of crap. But well written. Two hundred and fifty pages of self-indulgent, that can't possibly be true, garbage.
Disclaimer: A. If I hadn't had to review this, I never would have picked it up. I've only ever thrown 2 books in the dumpster and "Running With Scissors" was one of them. B. As a mental health professional, I'm biased in my interpretation of this work.
Often when I review a book I find myself typing "great story, just poorly written." Well, this is the opposite. It is well written. Self-serving load of crap. But well written. Two hundred and fifty pages of self-indulgent, that can't possibly be true, garbage.
Helpful Score: 8
This book is about the author's absent relationship with his father. Everything right down to the way he pronounced "dad" is shocking. It definitely will make you feel better about any strained relationship you are in.
It incorporates a completely different aspect of his childhood and adolescence unseen in his other books. If you are a fan of his you'll see some of the same events from previous books written with a different focus.
I wouldn't recommend it as something to start with because it has a different tone, but the subject has a different tone too.
It incorporates a completely different aspect of his childhood and adolescence unseen in his other books. If you are a fan of his you'll see some of the same events from previous books written with a different focus.
I wouldn't recommend it as something to start with because it has a different tone, but the subject has a different tone too.
Helpful Score: 6
This is easily one of the most disturbing books i've ever read. I have to agree with another reviewer that it is very self-serving. I got the feeling the whole time that Augusten was writing the whole time thinking that everyone would love him more for his terrible childhood. That he would finally get the love and attention that is his due. That the world owes him. It seems to be a theme in his work.
I think that if it is a true portrait of his childhood, then he is just exactly like his father.
I think that if it is a true portrait of his childhood, then he is just exactly like his father.
Kathleen L. (noisynora) reviewed A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father on + 130 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This was a good book . . . HOWEVER, if you are a first-time reader of Burroughs, I would not suggest it as the one to start with. Try DRY or RUNNING WITH SCISSORS first. It will give you an insight as to who Burroughs is and his background; then try this book. It's good and revealing of the author, but very dark (probably theraputic for him), but to be honest, if I had started with this book, I wouldn't have read any others. Don't make that mistake - he's too bright of an author to be dismissed. Give POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS a spin first.
Helpful Score: 2
Well, this is the latest part of the author's life. This one deals with his relationship with his father and seems to all have taken place BEFORE Running With Scissors.
I had now read all of his books and I really admired the first few, but these last few (Possible Side Effects annd A Wolf At The Table) I found myself saying ... Yeesh, enough is enough. Don't get me wrong, he has a BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED writing ability, but maybe he should try to write something else than his supposed life's story. (I only say "supposed" because of what I found out about Possible Side Effects from an almost hidden note from the author himself in the book ... how a lot of it was embellished and even some characters were somple made up ...)
Although, I like his writing style, I think this will be the last book on Augusten Burroughs life that he writes ...
I had now read all of his books and I really admired the first few, but these last few (Possible Side Effects annd A Wolf At The Table) I found myself saying ... Yeesh, enough is enough. Don't get me wrong, he has a BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED writing ability, but maybe he should try to write something else than his supposed life's story. (I only say "supposed" because of what I found out about Possible Side Effects from an almost hidden note from the author himself in the book ... how a lot of it was embellished and even some characters were somple made up ...)
Although, I like his writing style, I think this will be the last book on Augusten Burroughs life that he writes ...
Helpful Score: 1
This is a "prequel" to "Running With Scissors". I love Burroughs, but initially I thought that this was going to be a self-indulgent rehash. However, I quickly got pulled in. This was a good book in it's own right. I'm waiting for another foray into fiction from this author--but really, what could be weirder and more dramatic than his actual life??
Helpful Score: 1
Not as good as Running with Scissors. The author is basing his whole career on exposing his unconventional family. I enjoyed his first couple books, but can't help but wonder what his parents think of all this. And what my kids will say about me when I am gone. Will they trumpet my foibles to the public? That would hurt. I tried to love them and raise them right, but sometimes they see otherwise. I wonder if Augusten's parents feel like they tried to raise him right. They were deeply flawed, but how could they help being who they are?
Helpful Score: 1
I actually enjoyed this book more than Running with Scissors. It gave a lot more information about why he ended up running with scissors.
Helpful Score: 1
A great review of Burroughs' life with his father. So much of his other work focuses on his mother. Ties up a lot of unanswered questions from his other work. One of my FAVORITE authors.
Anyone who has suffered psychological abuse (or knows much about it)can relate to the stories and often the deeper menaings, things that cannot be transposed onto paper.
Anyone who has suffered psychological abuse (or knows much about it)can relate to the stories and often the deeper menaings, things that cannot be transposed onto paper.
Helpful Score: 1
Really disturbing, but engaging. Couldn't put it down. Having now read all of his books except Sellevision, I am amazed that he was able to come through all his experiences. I adore his work.
Claudia B. (Claudielou) reviewed A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father on + 77 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
If you like Augusten Burroughs (and I do), you'll like this book. You'll wonder how on earth he could grow up in a family like that and still be a functioning human being, bless his heart. It has some sexual content, so be warned, but mainly it is a book about a child lost in the confusion of his parents' alcoholism and mental illness.
Helpful Score: 1
I love his writing style, especially in his last few books. However, a lot of what he wrote here seems to contradict his earlier writings, especially "Running With Scissors" and "Possible Side Effects". I still give it my highest recommendation as it is such a telling tale. I suggest you read his other memoirs first.
Hannah C. (landonsmama) reviewed A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father on + 51 more book reviews
Disturbing story, but good read. I felt horrible for the son.
WOW - Look up the definition of "disturbing" and this book SHOULD be pictured. Or maybe the author's father. How anyone could survive a childhood like he described and still manage to function at all is beyond me.
This was a well-written, interesting book. It definitely lends insight into Buroughs'es other book, specifically "Running with Scissors". Anyone who has read and enjoyed his other works NEEDS to read this and get the back story. Be prepared to become fully engrossed and lose some sleep.
This was a well-written, interesting book. It definitely lends insight into Buroughs'es other book, specifically "Running with Scissors". Anyone who has read and enjoyed his other works NEEDS to read this and get the back story. Be prepared to become fully engrossed and lose some sleep.
Tara R. (portabellopig) reviewed A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father on + 40 more book reviews
So, I'm giving this a 4 star review for a couple of reasons:
-I expected a very different collection based on Burrough's other books. Don't get me wrong; it's nice to see versatility from an author. But as a regular reader, I feel a little side-swiped, as it were. 3 stars here.
-The stories themselves are well written and engaging. 4 stars there.
-Being a child of an alcoholic father and emotionally abusive mother, these stories definitely hit home for me. What impressed me most was not just Burrough's honesty (because let's face it: its never easy to talk about your family's dirty, nasty, skeletal laundry) but the general tone of forgiveness that carries throughout. I don't know if it is due to the author beng able to forgive or being able to emotionally remove himself to a third party stance; either way I'm impressed. 5 stars for bravery.
-I expected a very different collection based on Burrough's other books. Don't get me wrong; it's nice to see versatility from an author. But as a regular reader, I feel a little side-swiped, as it were. 3 stars here.
-The stories themselves are well written and engaging. 4 stars there.
-Being a child of an alcoholic father and emotionally abusive mother, these stories definitely hit home for me. What impressed me most was not just Burrough's honesty (because let's face it: its never easy to talk about your family's dirty, nasty, skeletal laundry) but the general tone of forgiveness that carries throughout. I don't know if it is due to the author beng able to forgive or being able to emotionally remove himself to a third party stance; either way I'm impressed. 5 stars for bravery.
Sandi K W. (Sandiinmississippi) reviewed A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father on + 265 more book reviews
Professional whiner whines again. Describing his behavior to his father in early chapters I myself felt an urge to push the needy little fellow away. We all have problems, most not as major as Burroughs, but few of us had perfect raisings. He has once again used every ounce of negativity to present a pitiful picture. And, indeed, if he lives every day figuring out how abused he was he probably is pitiful. But, I suspect he lounges in a fairly comfy setting, eating, drinking, visiting, and accepting praise from other pro discontents. Done with Burroughs. He uses words skillfully, got to say that. Unfortunately he hasn't much to say and has already said it repeatedly. It's like reading Jane Eyre & knowing the secret of the story on page 1.
I am more than half way thru this book and it is fantastic! very riveting! an amazing account of a childs memory. would recommend it. hoping he has other books written, would read all of them.
