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From Publishers Weekly
It would be tempting to call these highly personal and uninhibited essays painfully honest, except that Burroughs (Running with Scissors; Dry) is so forthright about his egocentricity that the revelations don't appear to cause him much pain. He approaches his material with a blithe tone that oozes sarcasm and crocodile tears. But the palpable humor of the writing itself endears listeners to him enough that they won't be completely repelled by even Burroughs's ugliest moments (which include his less than gallant reaction to accidentally stepping on a toddler's fingers in a store). His performance is off the cuff, but even when he's at his least humane, he still comes across as all too human. He adopts the same openness that made his previous memoirs—dealing with his bizarre upbringing and battle with addiction—so successful; now, however, he's focusing on less serious subject matter and displaying failings that are more vain. Burroughs excels in his personifications of others, whether portraying a domineering cleaning woman or an overbearing boss. While some may secretly wish for the death of such a boss, though, Burroughs admits openly and proudly that he believes he can will it to happen. That attitude, which is accentuated by his reading, makes this audiobook a true guilty pleasure.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Like fellow essayists David Sedaris and Jonathan Ames, Burroughs possesses a mind-set best described as superlatively disturbed. Following his two unnerving best-sellers, Running with Scissors (2002) and Dry (2003), the self-described "alcoholic, high-school dropout raised in a cult by a crazy psychiatrist" unleashes a brand-new collection of deliciously lurid true tales. In "I Dated an Undertaker," a steamy sexual act is performed in the onetime viewing room for Rose Kennedy's wake. "Telemarketing Revenge" reveals a raunchy solution for relentless nocturnal callers. And in "Debby's Requirements," a diminutive, passive-aggressive cleaning lady takes the unsuspecting author to court. Burroughs is a proponent of "magical thinking," the belief that a person can control the world with his mind. (It's like a grown-up version of "Step on a crack and break your mother's back.") In the title story, his wish for the demise of a moody, expletive-spewing boss is granted, though not by means of a moving bus, as he would have liked. Steroid-induced cleaning sprees; prickly encounters with priests; a nerve-shredding session with a sadistic dentist's drill--brimming with bawdy language and bodily fluids, this volume by a man "made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions," offers an irresistible display of sanity hanging by a thread. Allison Block
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
When I was seven, I was plucked from my uneventful life deep in darkest Massachusetts and dropped into a Tang Instant Breakfast Drink commercial. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
When I was seven, I was plucked from my uneventful life deep in darkest Massachusetts and dropped into a Tang Instant Breakfast Drink commercial. Read the first page
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Does It Again,
By A Customer
This review is from: Magical Thinking: True Stories (Hardcover)
Reviewer: FriendlySound (Radio D.J.)With wit and candor comes another great book by Augusten Burroughs. If you thought "Running With Scissors" and "Dry" were excellent, then you will love "Magical Thinking" even better. I would have to say I would love to read some fiction material out of him as well. He is truly a gifted writer. Thankfully at one of his signings, I was able to meet him and he is just as impressive in real life as he protrays in his books. along with his other books I also recommend A Paper Life (great memoir by Tatum O'Neil), Dress You Family In Corduroy (David Sedaris another great) and Nightmares Echo (hauntingly good memoir by Katlyn Stewart)
4.0 out of 5 stars
not impressed, but happy.,
This review is from: Magical Thinking: True Stories (Paperback)
i am a student and it's great to be able to buy a book for much cheaper than in a big name store. i need to save money everywhere i can and im happy with what i got. it is like a vast bookstore on here! :)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what the title says--loved it!,
By
This review is from: Magical Thinking: True Stories (Hardcover)
Augusten Burroughs is the master of the written word, he has proven this with his books "RUNNING WITH SCISSORS" and "DRY". This book, "MAGICAL THINKING" is no exception. It is not quite as autobiographical as his other books, but yet it is as well. Partly funny, partly sad-your emotions will run the gambit (again true of his other works). This will be another long-term best-seller. I cannot wait to read more from him. Along the lines of best reads this summer, As with the aforementioned books, I would like to recommend --------------IF I KNEW THEN and --------------THE CHILDREN'S CORNER by Jackson McCrae-both honest reflections of different types of abuse, yet inspirational reads as well.
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