Monday, March 8, 2010

Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs

From the author's website: 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% reported narcolepsy.

Doll collectors may experience special sensitivity, as may discourteous drivers, candy company brand managers and Nicorette 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.


That's a little bit longer blurb than I usually post but it gives you a sense of his writing style. This was a fun read. If you've read his memoirs Running With Scissors or Dry, this is lighter than both of those. Yes, he still tackles his addictions and there are some references to his childhood but they are sidenotes to the essays not the major focus like they were in the memoirs. This book seemd a little like I was reading a David Sedaris, in fact when I googled their names together with "compared", I got almost 3,000 results - I guess I am not the first one to notice. This one is rated NC-17 - he's foul-mouthed and he has no qualms discussing sex. Reading this book following so closely on the heels of the foul-mouthed Cleaving should fulfill my cussing/deviant sex quota for the winter.

1 comment:

bermudaonion said...

I'll have to think about this one. I read Running With Scissors and didn't really care for it. (My parents, who were both in their 80's at the time, loved it, though.)