A Wolf At The Table delves into the murky depths of Augusten Burroughs' early childhood, a time spent moving from house to house with his sinister father, distracted mother and largely absent older brother.

Well. Tell me. How does a child so young remember with so much detail things that have happened when they are five years old? To me it's all a little contrived and I am really disappointed. If only 1 % of what Augusten has written is true then I feel deeply sorry for him but I just don't buy this book. There is just so much detail that I can't believe in it.

Aussie Bookring:

Please move it along to the next reader within 4 weeks.

1. leeny37
2. shelly3110

and back to sarahbear if no more interest.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Posting as part of a bookring.

Received today, thanks sarahbear! It may take me a little while as I'm currently busy with wedding preparations (I get married in 2 weeks' time!) but I'll try to move it along as soon as I can. Thanks!

From Amazon.com:
A searing, emotional portrait of a son who wants nothing more than the love his father will not grant him, Burroughs's latest memoir (after 2004's Dry) is indeed powerful. Absent is the wry humor of Running with Scissors and the absurd poignancy of Burroughs's years living with his mother's Svengali-like psychiatrist. Instead, Burroughs focuses on the years he lived both in awe and fear of his philosophy professor father in Amherst, Mass. Despite frequent trips with his mother to escape his father's alcoholic rages, Burroughs was determined to win his father's affection, secretly touching the man's wallet and cigarettes and even going so far as to make a surrogate dad with pillows and discarded clothing. Only after his father's neglect—or cruelty—leads to the death of Burroughs's beloved guinea pig during one of the family's many separations does the son turn against the father. Avoiding self-pity, Burroughs paints his father with unwavering honesty, forcing the reader to confront, as he did, a man who even on his deathbed, refused his son a hint of affection. His father missed so much, Burroughs muses, not knowing his son. Luckily, Burroughs does not deny the reader such an enormous pleasure.

Sorry for taking so long with this, but going through a wedding and a funeral within hours of each other really messes up with reading time! Anyway, back to the book. I agree with sarahbear that it does seem a little incredulous at times that the author could remember in such great detail events from his childhood, especially those that happened when he was very young. However, for most parts, I do not doubt the authenticity of what he has gone through. If I look back at my own childhood, events that were traumatic for me as a kid (which did not even come close to what Augusten has been through!), I can still recall them pretty vividly. It truly is remarkable how he has turned his life around, considering everything that has happened to him. It must have been incredibly difficult to tell this story about his father and I admire him for his courage and unflinching honesty in sharing his life with his readers. The epilogue was exceptionally moving and I can just imagine the profound effect the lack of love and affection from his father has had on his life. I hope with this memoir, he is finally able to let go of his past and embrace his future, and continue producing great literary work. I look forward to reading more from Augusten Burroughs.

Thanks again for sharing, sarahbear, I will send this on to the next participant soon.

I have now received this book back from my colleague, which sarahbear so kindly let me lend to her. Just like me, she did enjoy reading this and she will be seeking out Augusten Burroughs's other books, in particular his other memoirs. Thanks for sharing and I'll be sending this on its way home shortly!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Heading home to sarahbear!

Home again. I hope everyone who has read this book has enjoyed the experience.