Augusten Burroughs’ dark and disturbing memoir chronicles his tumultuous teenage years. It begins at the age of 12 when his mentally disturbed mother sends him off to live with her half-baked psychiatrist who runs a mental home out of his squalor filled Victorian mansion. It’s in the psychiatrist’s home where “no rule” is the only rule. It’s also where Burroughs is exposed to situations that may seem unfathomable to most. This includes maintaining a running supply of Valium and other narcotics, while also taking on a male lover – twenty years his senior. However, Burroughs’ morbid sense of humor keeps the reader engaged in this otherwise troubling coming of age story. This beautifully written, though disconcerting, story is highly recommended for readers who like their literature on the darker side.

Reviewed by LaJuan P., University City Regional

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