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...