Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs
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Book Reviews of Possible Side Effects
Book Review: He's a trashy memoirist, he said it himself.
Summary: 2 Stars
Short stories or vignettes of this nature can be read in twenty minutes, out of order, one by one, all at once, etc. But do they have to wrap up with a concise moral lesson for the memoirist? Burroughs certainly writes with humor about his life; both the darker moments as well as the lighter. However at times the conclusions reached seem overly concise. Contrived, if you will. Did he really walk away from a series of bad dates thinking how glad he was not to get up in others' spinning? Or did he impose that emotion on the memory to create the illusion of progress. Each story ends with a neat little summation that feels like an easy out. A writer as self-deprecating and flawed as Augusten Burroughs should know that his readership craves his cynicism and selfish behavior. That and his ability to wittily describe any situation make him loveable. Not the moral lessons at the end of each chapter. Obviously the lessons were learned; have a little faith that the reader does not need it spelled out.Book Review: Dear Mr Burroughs
Summary: 2 Stars
Unfortunately, "Possible Side Effects" has threatened Mr Burroughs' throne in the Number 2 spot on my list of favorite authors. I found this book seriously wanting. It is unlike all his other books, and even though I screamed when I saw the cover at the book store (not knowing Augusten was releasing another book), I was disappointed at its finish.
Apologetically, I give this book 2 stars... which is bad for me- I usually enjoy just about everything.
Sorry Augusten. I'd still like to be your friend some day.
Book Review: Disappointed fan
Summary: 2 Stars
i'm a big fan of augusten burroughs but i can hardly get through this book. it's just not really all that funny - certainly not as clever as his fans would expect. the stories seem really random and forced - almost as if he was ordered by his publisher to crank out another winner but he just didn't really feel like it. he lost his edge on this one. hope he gets it back. he's no sedaris on this one.Book Review: David Sedaris Lite with a splash of bitters.
Summary: 2 Stars
Burroughs is a funny observationist with a snarky view of the world that is filtered through a pretty odd background (as anyone familiar with RUNNING WITH SCISSORS might know).
Though I find his humorous take on things entertaining about 98% of the time, sometimes his style gets a bit tiresome. If he were a cocktail, I'd call him David Sedaris lite with a splash of bitters.
Book Review: boring stories
Summary: 1 Stars
I have read all of Mr. Burroughs' books, and have enjoyed them. That is, until I sat down to read this book of short tales. I found little of interest to keep my attention, and after 4 or 5 stories, put it aside.