Has anyone besides me read this book?

A friend of mine lent it to me - told me it was about a disfunctional family - I would say that it is more along the lines of a sick and perverted family.

I WILL NOT see this in movie form - I can't imagine sitting through this story on the screen.

In defense of the writer - the characters were well developed, the story easy to follow....the plot....well, there just wasn't ONE redemptive factor in the whole poopie mess.

Anyone else have comments?

danita

My husband and I got free tickets to the premiere of this when it first came to town. It was a nightmare to sit through - the ONLY thing that kept me from walking out was knowing that it was a true story, and I really wanted to find out how the guy was able to not only survive that mess and live to tell his story, but how he did so without completely losing his sanity! Very sad story. Knowing it was a true story (and that the guy triumphs in the end) gave it some redemption in my eyes, but the most redeeming factor of it was that it made me VERY grateful for MY childhood, as messy as it might have been at times!

Addendum: I'm not sure you could pay me enough to sit through it a second time...or read the book. But I DID thoroughly enjoy the music - lots of great songs in there. I'll probably buy the soundtrack.

Eagle,

It was based on a true story? I had NO idea. Argh, I think it makes it worse.

I can't even fathom what the movie would be like. Now I can KINDA seem how the end is a little redemptive - if it's a true story....

It looks like there is a second book.

danita

I read the book, and have been looking for the movie in my area. I will see the movie on DVD when available. Yes, it is supposedly based on a true story, but so was "A Million Little Pieces" in which James Frey admittedly embellished and inserted untrue scenarios, yet claimed it to be true. Had I not been a social worker, and seen the most unbelievable family units, I would have found "Running" quite Unbelievable.

The family that took him in is suing him now, claiming he distorted many things and in some cases plain outright lied. So I guess you have to take all 'memoirs' with a grain of salt.

I read the book and the reviews on the movie stated what I felt about the book: Gross. I had to skip through so many parts of that story, especially reading his history from the toilet! Saving it on the patio table. The detailed gay sex scenes. It was just too much for me.

And Sharon's and Dianne's! Did I read the same book? All of a sudden, I cannot remember the scenes that you all are speaking of. Hmm, I wonder if I can take the movie in after all.

I read the book too. I was too disgusted with it and couldn't finish it.

Another book I was disappointed in was Janet Fitch's latest book, "Paint It Black". I loved her first book, "White Oleander", and couldn't wait for her second book. After waiting several years for her new book to be released, I was very disappointed in it. I didn't like the story at all. There was also just too many "F" words for my liking.

I read the book because WRITER'S DIGEST had a write up on it talking about how great it was. IT WASN'T. I thought it was disgusting.

It also place a permanent red flag in my head and whenever I see this author's name, I go the other way. It also told me that WD's opinion is not to be trusted, necessarily.

To me, this book was a total waste of paper...

For Christmas, I received a gift card card from Borders and purchased this book. I will still read it, but now I am prepared.

Funny that such a waste of paper got made into a movie. Then, again, maybe not.

My daughter gave me the book a month or so ago. I haven't read it yet, or even looked at the back cover. I asked her tonight if she had read it and she said no...a relief after reading your posts...she had given me some Memoirs because she thinks I need to write mine...sounds like this one doesn't have much in common with me!

Hi. In regards to the eff word, I wonder why it has to be used. In James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" I wondered if he was capable of putting a sentence together without the eff word. In my book, I was very conscious of NOT using the eff word, even when it was appropriate to the character. I have a character named "Annie" in the book who was my cousin. She did not know how to talk without that word since the age of 12. But I did not want to offend a reader so I left it out. I think we should be able to tell a story without the eff word. What do you think? I wonder if I "blocked" a lot of "Running with Scissors" out because I know I read it, but all I can remember now is the Christmas tree being up all year in the story.

Cookie, I read "White Oleander" too, and loved her unusual similes, very picturesque writing. You just saved me money on ordering her second book. I can't stand vulgar stories; they get more under my skin than a bad movie. Brrrrr.

Lynn, Hannelore, I don't know why the f word has to be used so much, especially in every sentence. I think by using it so much distracts from the story. Which in my opinion, isn't much of a story, movie, or conversation when a person has to use the f word repeatedly. I certainly know how to cuss....But personally, I just don't enjoy a book with that tone. As far as the book, "Million Little Pieces", I didn't like that one neither! I don't know what Oprah seen in it.

I read Running knowing it was baesed on a true story. Had I not known that, I may not have stuck with it because it was so bizarre. And that was his first book. I was amazed by the life of the doctor. I believe in this day and age, he would have lost his license. Back then, everyone thought all doctors were like gods. Very scary.

Oh, and I won't see the movie. I can't imagine that being acted out on the screen. Way too funky.

It sure didn't win any Golden Globe Awards last night...thankfully.

A friend recommended Running w scissors. I knew better. Glad I didn't see it. Has anyone seen Little Miss Sunshine? That's my type of dysfunction show. Darling.

Sounds like it might be the anecdote to Scissors. Go see it.
smile

Hey, Smile, I saw Little Miss Sunshine the other night (God bless the library) and enjoyed it. I read Running over a year ago and enjoyed the bizarre story knowing it was based on fact. I wasn't offended. See how different we all are!

I saw Little Miss Sunshine. I thought it was hilarious. But wasn't it purely fiction?

Yes. I loved it too. What a family!

I listened to the first cassette of "Running with Scissors" via book on tape. It was a waste of time, IMO. Took the audio set back to the library without finishing it.
Off topic, but since books have been mentioned, readers in the group please try Elizabeth Berg's work. I simply loved The Art of Mending .

Well if you all could use a laugh after seeing the movie and/or reading the book, I suggest you buy Weird Al's CD, which is called Running with Scissors!! Absolutely hysterical music parodies. The man is a comic genius.

Gimster....IMO anything by Elizabeth Berg is good! Don't you agree?

That's a "YES", JJ.

Weird Al? Would that be the guy my kids were so into a couple years ago?

I don't think I've ever read anything by Elizabeth Berg but I love that title...The Art of Mending. It sounds wonderful.

Yes, I love Elizabeth Berg's books too, although sometimes it feels like she was rushed in the writing. But "The Art of Mending" was definitely one of her best.

I will check out Elizabeth Berg, never heard of her before.

Little Miss Sunshine was soooooo great I bought the dvd, something I never do. I laughed so hard. Just a darn good, feel good movie.

Those who like Berg, you might want to try Anne Lamott, also. Her memoirs are so entertaining. I read her Bird by Bird : Some Instructions on Writing and Life
and sought out more, finding Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith. Loved it! It's the only book of that genre in which I have highlighted passages. It's a must read for boomers.

Gimster, we've talked about Bird by Bird. I have it and always recommend it. Love it!