Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs

Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs crashes through events in Augusten's life dealing with all the messy bits that would make good fodder for an episode of I Love Lucy. Complex characters pop off the page or in this case the audio book version. His lipstick lesbian friend plunges into the dating world with an huge print ad in a major magazine. She and Augusten sift through the replies and he questions her rather superficial criteria to select acceptable gal pals. The meet-ups occur and chaos and heartbreak result.

An extended tale about dog adoption that appears to have gone horribly wrong takes us on a trip close to dog and owner hell. Can Augusten and his partner pull out of this mess before they get in way to deep with a dog who resists potty training.

Several stories are filled with tender sadness including Augusten's visit to a dermatologist about his hands and the visits of Augusten to his mom's fragile poet friend.

Augusten's brilliant brother takes a break from hacking into the high school's computer system to complete a project involving the neighbor's dog. In a later episode, Augusten discovers that his lack of math skills may limit his employment opportunities at a sail factory.

Life with Augusten is earthy, strange, crazy and occasionally beautiful. This journey is not for the faint of heart.

Possible Side Effects - 4 min.