Magical Thinking : True Stories
by: Augusten Burroughs
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Amazon.com Review:
Its best to know this from the start: Augusten Burroughs is mean. Augusten Burroughs is also outrageously X-rated. If you can get past those two things, Burroughs might just be the most refreshing voice in American books today, and his collection of acerbic essays will have you laughing out loud even while cringing in your seat. Whether he is stepping on the fingers of little children or giving you the blow-by-blow on a very unholy act, Burroughs manages to do it in a way that fills conflicted fans with both horror and glee.
Spanning from the surprisingly Machiavellian portrayal of his role in a Tang commercial at age seven to his more recent foray into dog ownership, Burroughs has what seems to be an endless supply of offbeat life experiences.Much like earlier David Sedaris collections (Barrel Fever or Naked), there are occasional fits and starts in the flow of the writing, but ultimately, Magical Thinking is worth reading (and re-reading). If youre familiar with Burroughs's memoirs, Running with Scissors, and Dry, you may find parts of Magical Thinking repetitive, since these essays bounce around in time between the other two. In fact, in an ideal world, this collection would have come first, as it offers an excellent introduction to Burroughs's fascinating life. --Vicky Griffith
Product Description:
From the number-one bestselling author of Running with Scissors and Dry comes Augusten Burroughs's most eagerly anticipated collection yet: true stories that give voice to the thoughts that we all have but dare not mention.
It begins with a Tang Instant-Breakfast Drink television commercial:
"Yes, you, Augusten. You were great. We want you." I can now trace my manic adult tendencies to this moment. It was the first time I felt deeply thrilled about something just a fraction of an instant after being completely crushed. I believe those three words "We want you" were enough to cause my brain to rewire itself, and from then on, I would require more than other people....- from Magical Thinking's "Commercial Break"
A contest of wills with a deranged cleaning lady. The execution of a rodent carried out with military precision and utter horror. Telemarketing revenge. A different kind of "roof work." Dating an undertaker who shows up in a minivan. This is the fabric of Augusten Burroughs's life:a collection of true stories that are universal in their appeal yet unabashedly intimate, stories that shine a flashlight into both dark and hilarious places.With Magical Thinking, Augusten Burroughs goes where other memoirists fear to tread.
Its best to know this from the start: Augusten Burroughs is mean. Augusten Burroughs is also outrageously X-rated. If you can get past those two things, Burroughs might just be the most refreshing voice in American books today, and his collection of acerbic essays will have you laughing out loud even while cringing in your seat. Whether he is stepping on the fingers of little children or giving you the blow-by-blow on a very unholy act, Burroughs manages to do it in a way that fills conflicted fans with both horror and glee.
Spanning from the surprisingly Machiavellian portrayal of his role in a Tang commercial at age seven to his more recent foray into dog ownership, Burroughs has what seems to be an endless supply of offbeat life experiences.Much like earlier David Sedaris collections (Barrel Fever or Naked), there are occasional fits and starts in the flow of the writing, but ultimately, Magical Thinking is worth reading (and re-reading). If youre familiar with Burroughs's memoirs, Running with Scissors, and Dry, you may find parts of Magical Thinking repetitive, since these essays bounce around in time between the other two. In fact, in an ideal world, this collection would have come first, as it offers an excellent introduction to Burroughs's fascinating life. --Vicky Griffith
Product Description:
From the number-one bestselling author of Running with Scissors and Dry comes Augusten Burroughs's most eagerly anticipated collection yet: true stories that give voice to the thoughts that we all have but dare not mention.
It begins with a Tang Instant-Breakfast Drink television commercial:
"Yes, you, Augusten. You were great. We want you." I can now trace my manic adult tendencies to this moment. It was the first time I felt deeply thrilled about something just a fraction of an instant after being completely crushed. I believe those three words "We want you" were enough to cause my brain to rewire itself, and from then on, I would require more than other people....- from Magical Thinking's "Commercial Break"
A contest of wills with a deranged cleaning lady. The execution of a rodent carried out with military precision and utter horror. Telemarketing revenge. A different kind of "roof work." Dating an undertaker who shows up in a minivan. This is the fabric of Augusten Burroughs's life:a collection of true stories that are universal in their appeal yet unabashedly intimate, stories that shine a flashlight into both dark and hilarious places.With Magical Thinking, Augusten Burroughs goes where other memoirists fear to tread.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Magical Reading
As a big fan of Augusten Burroughs it's hard for me to be objective. I think he's brilliantly witty. This book is laugh-out-loud-despite-yourself funny, cleverly (but not bitterly) cynical and interesting. In my opinion, this book is a very close second to 'Running With Scissors'. Loved it.
Rating: - Entertaining
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 ... Read More
Rating: 
- Cruelty is not funny
I have to say it: I was actually enjoying this book until the rat/thing chapter.But reading the descriptive way Burroughs tortures, blinds, and drowns another living creature made me actually sick.I know not everyone has empathy for animals, but even the most seasoned hunter can still recognize the need for humane killing of unwanted pests.Burroughs makes a joke comparing himself to a serial killer.And honestly, he may be one.
Rating: - BEST BURROUGHS BOOK
This book is charming, funny, well written, and my favorite of all of Augusten's work!!!
Rating: - Waste of time and money.
This is a book writen about the escapades of a winy pathetic loser.Complete waste of time and money.I read a lot of books and this one is one of the few I could not finish.
- Magical ReadingAs a big fan of Augusten Burroughs it's hard for me to be objective. I think he's brilliantly witty. This book is laugh-out-loud-despite-yourself funny, cleverly (but not bitterly) cynical and interesting. In my opinion, this book is a very close second to 'Running With Scissors'. Loved it.
- EntertainingThis 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 ... Read More
- Cruelty is not funnyI have to say it: I was actually enjoying this book until the rat/thing chapter.But reading the descriptive way Burroughs tortures, blinds, and drowns another living creature made me actually sick.I know not everyone has empathy for animals, but even the most seasoned hunter can still recognize the need for humane killing of unwanted pests.Burroughs makes a joke comparing himself to a serial killer.And honestly, he may be one.
- BEST BURROUGHS BOOKThis book is charming, funny, well written, and my favorite of all of Augusten's work!!!
- Waste of time and money.This is a book writen about the escapades of a winy pathetic loser.Complete waste of time and money.I read a lot of books and this one is one of the few I could not finish.
