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What are readers saying about A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father?
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-21 07:06:35.
(Language: English)
  
When I first started reading Burroughs I likened him to David Sedaris. After all, they were both gay men who, after a dysfunctional childhood, were now writing humourous autobiographical stories. However, this book is not humourous. It is a sad story of a horrible childhood, and begins to explain why Burroughs' teenage years (chronicled in Running with Scissors) was so bloody messed up. If you enjoyed Burroughs' other books and want to learn more about him as a person, this book is recommended. Just don't expect to be laughing through it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-05-26 07:22:14.
(Language: English)
This was a very good book.. the author was able to weave an intricate tapestry of his childhood years making you wonder what kidn of adult he grew up to be... The dollhouse and the attention he paid to males made me wonder if he grew up to be gay.. and then to no surpise i read up that he was.. no shock there.. also I'm still not sure if his father was a murderer.. it seems highly possible. and to be honest the author seems to be a littly psyhotic himself.. what a dsyfunctional family! but a very good read
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-01-21 10:49:57.
(Language: English)
One of my favorites. I personally identified and sympathized with him and wish he hadn't gone through such hurt as a child. Well written, as usual.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-13 03:50:06.
(Language: English)
This is a captivating and really well written memoir! The raw honesty portrayed regarding the authors early experiences with his family are unlike any other books I've read. I listened to the audio recording of this book, which was read by the author and included four original songs by some Augusten's favorite singer/song writers after reading the book. Amazing.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-28 01:21:33.
(Language: English)
I love all his previous books becasue they were so candid, unbelievable and simply crazy. They were comical and shocking. This book was not the same tone. Still frank and open about his past, but it was dark and revealed his past prior to living with the Psychiatrists family. It was hard to imagine and bothered me that anyone can become trapped in such a violent, unsatble home. Still it was a good read to understand his background and inspiring to see how one can overcome such problems and still succeed in life and find happiness.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-18 03:51:52.
(Language: English)
If you have read other books by Augsten Burroughs, you will find this book to be a bit darker and intense than his others. At first, I kept waiting for his dark comedy to show itself, and it never really happened. I did find myself, however, really enjoying this book even because it was SO different than his others and really showed his range a writer.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-04-20 05:26:04.
(Language: English)
was a horrible childhood memoir. Couple of time wondered why I was reading it. Disturbing.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-01-10 08:45:38.
(Language: English)
Amazing book.But so sad to imagine having a childhood like that.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-12 07:01:02.
(Language: English)
I fell in love with "Running with Scissors" unaware of the controversy surrounding its veracity. Therefore, I went into "Wolf" sort of taking it with a grain of salt. I was focusing more on his writing style, which I find to be incredibly vivid and sensory, very poetic. I was overwhelmed with sadness at some parts and found the end to be incredibly poignant.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-25 01:25:50.
(Language: English)
Not your typical Augusten Burroughs memoir, this one is a bit darker than any he's written. Still it is poignant and sweet yet incredibly sad. Augusten's constant desire for paternal attention and his unrequited love for his father is heartbreaking and really hits home, at least it did for me. Once you get through the early "memories" it goes pretty quickly but, it's definitely another winner.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-28 10:24:27.
(Language: English)
An acutely written memoir by Augusten Burroughs, takes the reader into a world of danger, mystery, and sorrow all surrounding his detached relationship with his father. Burroughs writes with such honesty and truth, its sometimes horrifying to read; and yet its nearly impossible to put his book down. Augusten writes his life out for all to see beginning at a young age. Sometimes entire days are played out... other times years separate his pages. Regardless, theres never a lag in time or a lack of interest in what he's written. The emotional roller coaster he provides never ceases to enthrall the reader either. Dramatic events can only follow when your family consists of 3 deranged and problem ridden individuals. Why is the authors relationship so strained with his father? What motive does he really have against his son? Will his parents' fighting result in anything less than murder? Questions like these are only the beginning in this poor little boys life. Though sometimes hard to read, Burroughs' words stay with you long after putting the book down. Filled with excitement and plot twists galore, theres never a dull moment. If anything, this book is a must read simply for the fact that it leaves you with a resolution to be/become a better parent. Not just for your children's sake, but also for your own as well.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-15 07:39:28.
(Language: English)
I really like this book. I think it is good for people to understand what some kids go through at home. So many people have grown up blessed with good parents and don't understand what it is like to feel neglected. True the book isn't as funny as his others but, it doesn't mean it isn't as good. If you are too emotionally immature to read nothing but "funny" books than you are scared to face something in your own life. I enjoy his other books very much but, I thought it was important to broaden the spectrum a little. Did I say I liked this one??? :)
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-01 08:01:20.
(Language: English)
Augusten Burroughs' latest offering, A Wolf at the Table, focuses on his relationship with his father. Much of this book takes place in the time period pre-dating Burrough's now famous first memoir, Running with Scissors. Brutal honesty and wit are just two things I've come to expect from Burroughs' writing. He goes above and beyond delivering that in this book. It also amazes me how well Burroughs conjures up his young self and tells the story through that innocent, wide-eyed lens. In Running with Scissors, we see the troubled relationship Augusten has with his mother and how he came to live with the quirky (if not a little crazy) Finches. A Wolf at the Table fills in many of the blanks by detailing the troubled relationship Augusten has with his father from as far back as he can remember. Yet, even if you haven't read his first memoir, don't let that stop you from picking this one up. It stands well on its own. The humor here is more subtle, for there aren't as many outrageous things going on all around Augusten. The book takes on a more somber tone as it explores a very troubled father/son relationship. My one small complaint would be that the book seemed a bit too brief. Certain things could have been fleshed out a bit more; overall, this is still a great read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-31 05:12:49.
(Language: English)
Wow, this was difficult to read in the cafe portion of the *cough*starbucks*cough* I was in for an entire day to read it back when I wasn't slow. Also life altering. Apologies for being vague but my vocab SUCKS currently.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-24 03:09:25.
(Language: English)
So sad. I cannot believe how horrible his family relationships were. And his brother tried to bury him alive! I pity his poor guinea pig Ernie and Running With Scissors was such a reward. Still a great read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-12 10:19:42.
(Language: English)
So difficult for me personally to read. This book is based on a true story about Augusten's father when Augusten was a child. It was horrific in parts, but mainly just terribly sad. A very powerful and moving book. I really like the writing style of this author very much, which is why I keep going back for more.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-04 08:55:53.
(Language: English)
Even though this covers Burroughs childhood...read this after you've read his other memoirs. Much different than Burroughs other works, immensly sad and tragic. Unlike his other memoirs this does not contain humorous situations to even out the sadness of his life. How he has achieved what he has in his life is outstanding. As a mother, I found certain parts of this book almost unreadable because I did not grow up in the same environment and now have a better realization of what some kids I went to school with went through. If you read this you will remember the kid in school that was like Burroughs or maybe you are that kid. As sad as I felt the book was, it gives me a new respect for Burroughs and what he has been through. This isn't my favorite (due to subject matter....horrifying father/mental abuse)book by him, but it is still very much readable if you are already a fan.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-11 09:41:02.
(Language: English)
I listened to the audio recording, read by Augusten himself. Deeply disturbing yet somehow triumphant.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-20 10:41:04.
(Language: English)
Not a bad read, but I don't know...it's getting pretty tiresome to keep reading about all the crap that's happened to Augusten Burroughs - surely he's milked it enough now and made enough money, fame, kudos, respect, admiration, sympathy etc etc back to make up for it? Think it's about time he put his creative talent on a different writing tack now
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-09 04:45:16.
(Language: English)
The facebook review I wrote last month about it: Wow, I'm practically speechless. I started this book the other day, but read 90% of it and finished it today. I could not put it down and was moved nearly to tears. This was his best book yet. I even had to email him personally to tell him! He is proof that despite the worst unimaginable physical, mental, or emotional pain....humans are remarkably resilient. Love. This. Man.Read. This. Book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-29 05:56:51.
(Language: English)
This is really dark stuff and comes at the bottom of the pile of his stuff. I await his next book hoping it will be more like the old Augustin. I enjoyed everything else he has writtten - except this book. Didnt like it, it didnt engage me, I almost decidied to stop reading - wish I had in hindsight I hope it was cathrticfor Augusten - but it was not a pleasant read.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-01-27 02:27:33.
(Language: English)
Good book but not as good as his other ones
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-01-13 06:48:46.
(Language: English)
THis one is a little sad, he really had a strange realtionship with both of his parents, but for a little boy, it hurts not to have a Dad. He portrays this hurt so well in this book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-06-07 05:42:02.
(Language: English)
Normally i hate childhood memoirs, they always seem to be pleading for you to justify the authors existance by detailing all the woes they had to suffer in obscene and unnessacery deatil. This memoir is unlike that though, there's nothing that feels like it's been said deliberatley for shock value, there's no constant whining and self pitying. This is simply the story of a man and his relationship with his father, no emotional bullshit attached. If only all memoirs could take a leaf out of Augusten's book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-03 11:58:34.
(Language: English)
CAVEAT: This book is potentially triggering for survivors of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse, as well as animal lovers.I heard Augusten Burroughs said, and I paraphrase, that <i>Running with Scissors</i> was a joyous romp compared with this book. Now that I have read it, I understand why. <i>Running with Scissors</i> does not seem like a collection of insouciant anecdotes juxtaposed with the raw, unpolished emotionality that Burroughs unfurls in this narrative. I've read doubts from others about what in this book happened and what was less than 100% factual...whether or not every event in this book occurred is really a small detail. To me, Burroughs here exposes the terror, the powerlessness, the confusion of being the victim of an abuser against whom one can not have agency, can not escape, can not rationalize. People wonder why victims stay in bad situations, and this book expresses that slow, upheaving descent into abuse vividly--the complexity, the confusion, the instability that keeps the victim/s scrambling and unsure.There are some moments of inconsistency in the voice that Burroughs uses in his retelling (shifts in persona from child to words that seem more likely to come from an adult) and some lapses in time that elicit frustration. But, this is part of what makes this <b>precisely</b> a re-telling, a re-living, a re-memberance. Burroughs is, as one would, piecing this back together. The seamed echos make it that much more realistic, that much more like the re-claiming and re-telling of other abused people's stories that I have heard, more like my own voice, too.If you try to be the enforcer, the lawyer, the law when you read this, you might be disappointed or frustrated. But if you come to it as the listener, the empath, the psychologist, you can learn from his story.
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