Running with Scissors,

Contemporary memoir was reshaped by candid, tragi-comic chronicles of unusual childhoods and personal struggles, most notably through the publishing phenomenon Running With Scissors. The author, Augusten Xon Burroughs, became widely known following the release of this 2002 New York Times bestselling memoir, which documented his unconventional upbringing after being placed in the care of his mother's psychiatrist.

Career & Background

Born Christopher Richter Robison on October 23, 1965, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was raised in Western Massachusetts. His father chaired the philosophy department at the University of Massachusetts, and his mother was a writer. Following his parents' separation when he was twelve, he stopped attending traditional school, and his mother's psychiatrist became his legal guardian. At seventeen, he relocated to the Boston area and earned a diploma in computer programming and systems analysis from the Control Data Institute, later establishing a career in advertising before transitioning to full-time authoring.

He published his debut novel, Sellevision, prior to his breakout success with non-fiction. His subsequent memoirs and essay collections expanded his profile as one of the best-selling LGBTQ+ writers, with his books translated in over thirty countries and selling millions of copies worldwide. Beyond writing, his life story reached screen audiences when Running With Scissors was adapted into a 2006 feature film directed by Ryan Murphy, featuring Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Alec Baldwin, and Joseph Cross.

Writing Style & Themes

His non-fiction is characterized by frank humor, sharp observation, and unsparing vulnerability when examining trauma, addiction, and family dysfunction. Readers and critics frequently note his ability to uncover dark absurdity within painful personal history, particularly in his accounts of childhood neglect and adult substance abuse recovery. His prose balances conversational narrative pacing with precise emotional detail, offering an intimate perspective on personal recovery and identity.

Major Works

• Running With Scissors — Published in 2002, this bestselling memoir accounts his childhood spent living with his mother's eccentric psychiatrist and his family. The book spent over two years on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into a 2006 feature film.
• Dry — This memoir details his experience with alcohol use disorder during his twenties, chronicling his time in rehabilitation and his ongoing struggle to maintain sobriety.
• Magical Thinking: True Stories — A collection of autobiographical essays that reflect on personal quirks, past relationships, and unusual life occurrences.
• Toil & Trouble — A memoir exploring his personal connection to magic and his experiences growing up with intuitive insights.