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The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20060325202008/http://www.whatbooks.com/2004/magical_thinking.php
Magical Thinking : True Stories
by Authors:
Augusten Burroughs
Hardcover Description:
It’s best to know this from the start: Augusten Burroughs is mean. Augusten Burroughs is also outrageously X-rated. If you can get past those two things, Burroughs might just be the most refreshing voice in American books today, and his collection of acerbic essays will have you laughing out loud even while cringing in your seat. Whether he is stepping on the fingers of little children or giving you the blow-by-blow on a very unholy act, Burroughs manages to do it in a way that fills conflicted fans with both horror and glee.
Spanning from the surprisingly Machiavellian portrayal of his role in a Tang commercial at age seven to his more recent foray into dog ownership, Burroughs has what seems to be an endless supply of offbeat life experiences. Much like earlier David Sedaris collections (Barrel Fever or Naked), there are occasional fits and starts in the flow of the writing, but ultimately, Magical Thinking is worth reading (and re-reading). If you’re familiar with Burroughs's memoirs, Running with Scissors, and Dry, you may find parts of Magical Thinking repetitive, since these essays bounce around in time between the other two. In fact, in an ideal world, this collection would have come first, as it offers an excellent introduction to Burroughs's fascinating life. --Vicky Griffith
I have read all of Burroughs books, and I loved all of them. Yes, he is not for everyone, but if you can get past some of the wierdness then I would definately reccomend him. I personally think he is an amazing writer and I have a lot of respect for him considering his outragious childhood.
Comment by: Alicia J
Average Customer Rating:
overanalyzing the overanalyst
its hilarious when mr. burroughs over analyzes every minute detail of a date. its not hilarious when "critics" do it to a brilliant work. like watching a cartoon strip on a crash course to obsentiy, mr. burroughs does an excellent job of keeping the reader entertained and bearing just enough of his soul to keep us hounding for more. am eagerly awaiting, "Possible Side Effects" in may 2006!!
Jumbled
Building on "Running with Scissors" or "Dry," you could easily feel that this book might have even more to offer about this author's life. However, while I felt the stories were mildly amusing and Burrough's has a talent for sarcastic writing (like Bill Bryson or Mary Roach), this book I found overall chaotic and without merit. Why aren't the stories in chronological order at the very least? What is the point of this book? It seems almost as if you're listening to a friend talk endlessly about himself with no regard for what you might like to hear (or pay for). There's no cohesive bond to hold the stories together other than they are about the author. Perhaps it's time for time for Burrough's to show a little versatility and less self-indulgence.
Often good but never great
I listened to the "Magical Thinking" audiobook on CD recently during a long car ride, so my impression of the book may be a little different from someone who read the print version. This is my first experience with an Augusten Burroughs book. Augusten narrated the book himself. His narration was good, it is clear that he has some skill in this regard. His pacing and inflection were excellent.
As other reviewers have commented, Burroughs tells some stories that reflect disturbing (disturbed) aspects of his personality. These stories are frequently bookended by his own admission that he is shallow, cruel and self-absorbed. However, admitting his shortcomings doesn't in itself reveal more than a superficial self-awareness. That is not necessarily a flaw of this book- perhaps he is more soul-searching in his earlier books and this one is precisely meant to be pure entertainment. In that regard, it does fall a little short of the mark for about a third of the book. I laughed out loud a handful of times, but this is not exactly a comedy. Sweet in places, even sappy a bit near the end, but largely a tragic and twisted ride.
..............POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOLLOW.............
I thought that the story about the scary, deranged housekeeper was the most entertaining, and the stories about Tang and gender reassignment were funny and touching. The story about his brother was also compelling and heartfelt.
Material in this book that some may find disturbing or offensive includes:
1) The mouse story ("Rat Thing"), although it is clear in the author interview at the end of the book that what he did to this poor animal is regretful to him to this day;
2) Comparing breast cancer in women to baldness in men, which brings me to -
3) An overriding tone of hostility towards/dislike for women. (Although I will temper this by saying that Augusten doesn't seem too fond of people in general, regardless of their gender.) Perhaps this comes from his mother's mental illness and abuse. Men get breast cancer too. Is THAT more tragic than male baldness, Augusten?
Overall, I'd recommend that you borrow from a friend or get from the library when you can, or wait until it hits the bargain bin if that ever happens.
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DVD's
overanalyzing the overanalyst 
Jumbled 
Often good but never great 
