Title: Lust & Wonder
Author: Augusten Burroughs
Publisher: St. Martin's
Publication Date: March 29, 2016
ISBN: 9780312342036 (hardcover)
Number of Pages: 295
How I Got It: from publisher
Format: paperback ARC
Goodreads and Publicist's Descriptions:
In chronicling the development and demise of the different relationships he's had while living in New York, Augusten Burroughs examines what it means to be in love, what it means to be in lust, and what it means to be figuring it all out. With Augusten's unique and singular observations and his own unabashed way of detailing both the horrific and the humorous, Lust and Wonder is an intimate and honest memoir that his legions of fans have been waiting for. You may know him best as the author of bestsellers Running with Scissors and Dry, memoirs about his unbelievable teenage life and then his struggle for sobriety as an adult. Picking right up from where Dry left off, Lust & Wonder is the story of Augusten's search for what brings his heart home.
My Review:
I have not read any of Augusten Burroughs' previous books but I can now see what all the fuss is about. I loved his brutal honesty, crippling anxiety, and uncontrollable neuroses. His voice was one I have not heard before. Not because he's a gay man living in "the big city" but a person (maybe) struggling with sobriety and (maybe) trying to find love. As a reader, we get to experience the minutiae of his daily life. I enjoy knowing what kind of sandwiches people like to eat and their routines. Burroughs writes in a way that makes you feel you are just two friends sharing stories of your unconventional lives. I wish I could have him over for dinner. But what would I make? If you've read this, what do you think Mr Burroughs would like for dinner?
***Disclaimer:: I was given a copy of this release in exchange for an honest review. I received no additional compensation. ***
4 comments
I think you could share sandwiches and (maybe) a non-alcoholic drink.
I started watching the movie Running with Scissors when it came out, and didn't finish it; I didn't like whatever little I saw of it. His family was too dysfunctional for my taste.
Carmen, he did allude to some major dysfunction in his childhood. He lived in a psychiatric hospital with his mom! That's sure to leave a mark.
I have not read his earlier books either. When Running With Scissors came out (2002?-wow),I was just getting used to the dysfunctional family thing, reading Joyce Carol Oates, all quite shocking to me. Now I am used to it and enjoy it when it is done well. You make Lust & Wonder sound, well, wonderful. Good idea, Carmen, on the sandwiches!
Judy, I like reading about dysfunctional families sometimes but as you said "when it is done well." Sometimes authors who are writing fiction push it to places that are unbelievable, yet if it's non-fiction the same events or responses could happen but they are presented in a much truer way.
Looks like Augusten is getting sandwiches!
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