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| Possible Side Effects | 
 enlarge | Author: Augusten Burroughs
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Category: Book
List Price: $23.95
Buy New: $9.78
You Save: $14.17 (59%)
New (9) Used (7) from $7.84
Avg. Customer Rating:  100 reviews
Sales Rank: 164005
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.1
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
ASIN: B00119M106
Publication Date: May 2, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
From the million-copy bestselling author of Running with Scissors comes Augusten Burroughs’s most provocative collection yet.
This book is approved for consumption by those seeking pleasure, escape, amusement, enlightenment, or general distraction. This book is not approved to treat disorders such as eBay addiction or incessant blind dating. In studies, some people reported inappropriate, convulsive laughter, a tingling sensation in the limbs, and sudden gasping. Fewer than 1 percent reported narcolepsy. Doll collectors may experience special sensitivity, as may discourteous drivers, candy-company brand managers, and nicotine-gum users. This book has been shown to be especially helpful to those with parents, grandparents, life partners, and incontinent dogs. People with dry, cracked skin have responded well to this book, as have people with certain heart conditions. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading this book, until you know what effects it may have on you. This text is contraindicated in those suffering from certain psychiatric disorders, including---but not limited to---readers afflicted with anhedonia, which is the inability to experience pleasure. Ask your doctor about Possible Side Effects.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 95 more reviews...
 Though far from this author's best efforts, this is very funny and enteraining throughout May 13, 2006
39 out of 46 found this review helpful
I'm a huge fan of Burroughs. Like most, I first discovered him through his mega-selling "Running with Scissors." I quickly devoured his hysterical novel "Sellevision." I was less impressed with his memoir "Dry," but fell in love all over again when I read his true story collection "Magical Thinking." "Possible Side Effects" is more dry than magical, and shows the author at a crossroads. Though consistently amusing, many pieces in this new collection seem forced and find the author overreaching for a laugh, while still others feel deriviative of those previously published, or rather they seem as though they may have been leftovers - stories that didn't quite make the "Magical" cut.
Still there are many rewards in "Possible Side Effects." My two favorites in this collection were: "The Georgia Thumper," which focuses on the troubled relationship between the young Burroughs and his paternal grandmother; and "The Forecast for Sommer," which is some of the strongest prose writing yet from this author. Deeply felt, though unsentimental, "The Forecast for Sommer" betrays the author's talent for dramatic, melancholy writing and provides a promising glimpse into his future and better things to come.
 ONE OF MY HEROES May 5, 2006
34 out of 42 found this review helpful
more weirdness from my favorite writer. vignettes ranging from being terrorized by the tooth fairy to a dog named cow. delighted to see an appearance from his bizarre family again. maybe because his family's neurosis resembled mine. slightly twisted, slightly campy, always funny. some might find his humor a little too dark, not me. he's also discovered he's no longer unrecognizable to the public. my favorite chapter is the one on his brother who for years went undiagnosed with asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism. their interaction with each other is often hilarious, and I loved his brother's nickname's for his family, augusten was "varmint", mom was "slave" and dad "stupid". the back flap has augusten's website address. where he previews his next three books. many giggles throughout, and every bit as funny as anything david sedaris has written. seemingly effortless writing, and razor sharp wit. some may say that it's not up to his usual high standards, but I disagree.
 Oh, this is book is awful.......... May 24, 2006
15 out of 19 found this review helpful
After reading the first four stories of this book, I could simply not go on any further. The first story of the book was a sign of what was to come- the story was not simply uninteresting and pointless- it was painful. The author flies to London, has an incredible nosebleed while in flight which I assume is supposed to be funny somehow. While in his hotel room in London he becomes reclusive and writes extensively about the thicker nature of British Kleenexes (according to the author's girlfriend- the British need the extra Kleenex for their extra heavy nasal mucous discharge), how much more Kit Kat bar you get for your money and other such revelations. The chapter ends out with the author cutting himself while shaving and bleeding yet again. It was pathetic and the following stories weren't any better. You'd have to be a hardcare fan of this guy to read this book and find something worthwhile in it. There is so much good literature to be had in the world of books- this is wasted paper. Then there is the Amazon reviewer who gave this book five stars before it was even released because he was so sure he would love it. Folks, this book is bad.
Another great one by Burroughs May 5, 2006
13 out of 16 found this review helpful
I'm a big fan of this guy, bought this as soon as I could get my hands on it, and cruised right though it. I loved it, and if you like Burroughs' frantic, neurotic writing, like I do, you will not be disappointed. Just like I did while reading his other books, I found myself vascilating between squrming and laughing. And for me, this is the true indicator of good writing -- it grabs me emotionally and makes me feel something.
In this latest collection you'll find essays about Burrough's days spent in the world of advertising, and of course trips back to his (almost unbelievably) tragic childhood. He's stopped drinking and doping by now, but seems to have replaced these vices with other addictions -- nicotine gum, junk food, and, as always, wild, out-of-control introspection.
You'll also find more stories about his brother with Asperger's Syndrom and his depressed mother, all written with a level of sincerity and wry wit that should make David Sedaris jealous.
Is it all true? I've never thought all of his stories were true, and I haven't really cared, but this is the first of his books to actually come out and admit it, in an introductory note. The writing is so good it doesn't really matter. As one other famous memoirist said: Pretend it's fiction.
Phoning It In May 15, 2006
12 out of 16 found this review helpful
I've read all of Augusten Burroughs' books and enjoyed watching his maturation as a writer. From "Sellevision," to "Running with Scissors," (a story that likely could not withstand the scrutiny James Frey was subjected to), to "Dry," and "Magical Thinking" his writing got better and better. And then this. "Possible Side Effects" reads like a collection that was slapped together at the 11th hour of yet another extended deadline. The essays are too cute, too easy and generally not very well developed. Maybe Mr. Burroughs should spend a little less time resting on his laurels and more time developing his craft.
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