Magical Thinking: True Stories by Augusten Burroughs
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Book Reviews of Magical Thinking: True Stories
Book Review: Entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the second time I have read this book - and I really hadn't remembered much about it. It had a few very funny parts - namely the cleaning lady and the shrimp and the killing of the rat/thing. But, overall, it seemed... more arrogantly amusing than truly funny. I don't know - I just really prefer David Sedaris' writing. This book just seems like a more self-involved, graphic version of the same basic idea. Not that it was bad, at all, I did enjoy it, I just wouldn't recommend it with the same fervor that I would David Sedaris' books.Book Review: Great stuff!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Now that we know J.T. Leroy was probably a housewife making up stories about a life which wasn't true, it's sooooooooo refreshing to read Augusten Burroughs's highly personal, often funny, and riveting explorations of, well, himself. I read this in one sitting, loved every page, and can't say enough about it. If you're looking to spend time with a real writer really writing about real stuff, I recommend Magical Thinking. So adios, Leroy, don't let the door hit you on the...Book Review: Magical Thinking from Augusten Brroughs
Summary: 4 Stars
Augusten has a unique way of looking at things that makes you realize you are thinking the exact same thing. He is only brave enough to say those things out loud. I really enjoyed this book. He went into deeper things referenced from "Running with Scissors" & "Dry" and also gave his insight into things like Amish culture, the avid readers of this books and his true love. This is not a boring read, you will find yourself laughing out loud.Book Review: Nasty, brutish and brilliant
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're uncomfortable with unabashed nastiness towards...everything, this is not for you. Go read some Garrison Keillor or Dave Barry. This is David Sedaris if he weren't just wonky but also The Crazy. I was surprised by how much I loved reading about one person's life, and it made me feel better about memoirs in the wake of the James Frey stuff: It's also sharply written, unlike "A Million Little Pieces."Book Review: i had hoped for better.
Summary: 3 Stars
i loved both dry and running with sissors. i couldn't put running with sissors down and after staying up all night to finish it i ran out the next morning and bought dry. i thought dry was even better. this is why i wasted no time in buying magical thinking. saddly, i thought it was very disappoingting. first, he regularly references his previous two memoirs but gives no explaination of there content. i feel that if i hadn't read these many of the references in the book would have been lost on me. secondly, there were occational funny moments and observations but overall i felt the stories lacked personal insight and could have done with a very heavy handed editor. i felt there was too much of an attempt to add an insightful and witty one-liner at the end of each story where many stories would not have left such a bad taste in my mouth had that last sentance been ommited. lastly, i appreciate both david sedaris and augusten bouroughs for very different reasons, but in magical thinking there seemed to be too much of an attempt to be like sedaris, but, sadly, where sedaris can make the most mundane funny, bouroughs seemed to be deliberately looking for funny stories in his life and though i know this isn't true seemed to be running low.
i'm certainly not turned off to bouroughs forever, but i fear that someone who may read this book first would not necessarily be inspired to read the rest of his work. he is an amazing voice with an incredible life story that deserves to be told. i think over time and with practis his craft will be honed. i just hope he takes some time and reflection as he continues writing.