Running with Scissors Summary & Key Insights

Augusten Burroughs's memoir, "Running with Scissors," chronicles his unconventional and often traumatic childhood in the 1970s. The narrative centers on his tumultuous relationship with his emotionally unstable mother, Deirdre, and the bizarre household she creates. Instead of receiving the stability and care a child needs, young Augusten is thrust into a chaotic world of eccentric characters and questionable parenting.

The pivotal event that sets the stage for much of the narrative is Deirdre's decision to place Augusten into the care of Dr. Finch, her unorthodox psychiatrist. Dr. Finch's home becomes Augusten's second, and arguably more dysfunctional, family. This isn't a typical therapeutic environment; it's a chaotic household filled with Dr. Finch’s own dysfunctional family, including his numerous children, a collection of mentally unstable patients, and a rotating cast of hangers-on. Augusten’s life becomes further entangled in this bizarre ecosystem, exposed to bizarre behaviors, neglect, and even abuse.

Key characters besides Augusten and his mother include Dr. Finch, a manipulative and self-absorbed psychiatrist whose own mental health is highly questionable. His wife, a similarly unstable woman, contributes to the household's overall dysfunction. Other memorable characters include the Finch children, each with their own set of problems and eccentricities, and various other residents of the Finch household, who range from troubled teens to adults with severe mental illnesses. Augusten also develops a complex relationship with several other people, including his siblings and his eventually very distant biological father.

The overarching theme of the book is the search for identity and normalcy in the face of extreme dysfunction. Augusten’s journey is one of navigating a childhood largely devoid of stability and appropriate parenting. He grapples with the effects of neglect, emotional abuse, and exposure to adult dysfunction, trying to establish a sense of self amidst the chaos. The narrative explores the lasting impact of trauma on a developing child, highlighting the complexities of family relationships and the struggle for self-discovery in the face of adversity. The memoir also subtly critiques the mental health system of the time and the lack of support available for children in families like his. Through the darkly humorous and often shocking details, Burroughs manages to convey a sense of resilience and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit in overcoming trauma. The ending doesn't provide a neat resolution, but leaves the reader with a poignant reflection on the enduring effects of a damaged childhood and the ongoing process of healing.