Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs
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Book Reviews of Possible Side Effects
Book Review: Laugh out Loud Funny! Thank you!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just loved this book and finished it quickly. I went to the store to buy Clarence Thomas' new memoir and saw this had come out. If this was in hardcover, I missed it, but I grabbed it the second I saw it!
Augusten Burroughs is one of the funniest writers and most enjoyable to read. I've read all his books and would recommend them all thoroughly. There are many things to praise about Burroughs. Among them is his self-deprecating humor. He wants to be a good person (he is actually a good person) and fights the negative thoughts he has almost constantly. He's a bit insecure. I think he used to be a bit unlikeable, but he's grown up a lot in this book.
When I read Laurie Notaro's first book, I loved it. When she grew up, however, and wrote her second book, she just wasn't funny anymore. That's not the case here. Burroughs has actually gotten better with age. He faces his fears, he is more honest than he used to be, he struggles with issues like the rest of us, but does all he can to be the best person he can be. And, he writes about it with spot-on insight and humor.
All of the book is excellent, but the vignette called Moving Violations was completely hysterical and a definite must-read to anyone who appreciates Burroughs' writing and the weirdness of life.
Book Review: Are you my brother?
Summary: 5 Stars
I laughed, cringed, and had a lump in my throat reading this book from one of my newest favorite writers. I am a Rick Bragg, Wally Lamb, Alice Walker, Frank McCourt, David Sedaris fan. Tell you anything? And now, of course, an Augusten Burroughs fan who will buy everything he's ever written. I've also read The Wolf At The Table.
His essay-short stories are a cross between my life and the life of my oldest son. Yes, okay, he adds to them to create more interest, but so what? The stories are validating to anyone who grew up in a crazy family, then passed that craziness down to her son. Agh. As a writer and fan, the stories appealed to me on multiple levels. I'm lazy too, of course, and have a lot of Mr. Burroughs' neurosis and bad habits, although I've by-passed smoking for Sour Cream and Onion Lays. Read this one. It's a fast read and you'll become addicted to this writer.
Gina Ashline
Book Review: Laughed my a## off!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Another one I refused to put down until I finished it (meaning I never went to bed). I laughed and laughed. I tried explaining the stories to other people and I guess I'm just not that great of a story teller...it's one of those things where you would've had to have been there to find it funny...and when reading "Possible Side Effects" you feel right there with him. Like you were there when it happened or something. These are lighter stories unlike "Running With Scissors" and "Dry." They're more mundane things that probably happen in life everyday, but the way he tells the mundane is hilarious. I love it. Again, only for someone who isn't offended by advanced profanity. I'm assuming he talks like he writes and writes like he talks; that's why his books are so fun to read. There's true voice in Augusten Burroughs work. I couldn't love it more!Book Review: I'm still a fan of Augusten
Summary: 5 Stars
If you liked *Magical Thinking*, then you'll like *Possible Side Effects*. However, I do have to say that *Magical Thinking* was funnier. Don't get me wrong, *Possible Side Effects* was funny but not as good as Burroughs' previous book.
Of course, Burroughs never runs out of things to say about his eccentric life. In this book, he talks about his grandparents, his fashion fetish of collegiate t-shirts, alcoholism, jobs and a few other topics.
Even though Burroughs wasn't as funny as his previous book, it's still an enjoyable read. Heck, he's so good that you can't put it down. He has an interesting way with words and sometimes it just leads to a chuckle or two.
Book Review: I love this kind of writing
Summary: 5 Stars
I had a bad nosebleed in a plane once too, so I feel for Augustan! In my case, I was just a small kid though and it stopped bleeding soon and wasn't as bad and embarrassing as his.
What a witty and hilarious writer. I'm amazed by the brilliantly witty and funny way he expresses and writes down everything. I was completely taken with this book right from the start with grandma and the tooth fairy and I just couldn't stop snickering as I turned the pages and passed from story to story. An effortlessly endearing, and addictively funny read. I read it in just 3 days, which must be a record for me since I only have an hour or two in the evenings to relax.