Discussion Questions
1. In her New York Times review of Possible Side Effects, Janet Maslin writes that “somewhere along the way to his fourth autobiographical volume, Augusten Burroughs changed from a guy with a story to tell into a guy with a knack for telling stories.” What do you think she means? Do you agree? What makes a good storyteller? Can you name any other writers with a similar talent for making the incidental interesting and/or humorous?
2. As the twenty-five essays in Possible Side Affects shift back and forth in time, how are Burroughs’ preoccupations different before and after becoming a famous writer? In what ways are they the same?"
3. On page 20, Burroughs’ writes: “I am prone to envy. It is one of my three default emotions, the others being greed and rage. I have also experienced compassion and generosity, but only fleetingly and usually while drunk, so I have little memory.” Do you think Burroughs is being completely serious? How might essays like “Killing John Updike” and “Little Crucifixions” both prove and refute Burroughs’ statement? Why is Burroughs’s self-assessment both striking and funny?
4. “Many people assume I have a ‘funny and charming’ self,” Burroughs states in his essay “Team Player” after being invited to speak publicly at colleges and universities. “Many people are wrong” [p 36]. Does this confession surprise you? Where do you think it would be most fun to hang out with Burroughs: a redneck rodeo, a Jean Paul Gautier fashion show, or the Westminster dog show? Why? What, if anything, do you think you can know about a writer’s personality from his or her work?
5. Considering the essays “The Sacred Cow,” “Fetch” and “Kitty Kitty,” how does Burroughs view dogs? If you have pets, would you trust them with him? What about his brother? Why do you think some people find the company of animals preferable to humans?
6. Based on “GWF Seeks Same” and “Getting to No You,” do you think Burroughs would make a good host of a reality television dating show? When placing an internet ad, about what do you think it is most acceptable to lie: age, weight or income? Who do you think has the best odds when it comes to internet dating: men, women, gays or straights?
7. Reviewing his pre-celebrity resume in the essays “Mint Threshold,” “Taking Tests, Taking Things,” “Unclear Sailing,” and “Druggie Debbie,” what do you think would have become of Burroughs had he never become a successful writer? Do you he would have returned to advertising and become a bitter alcoholic, taken to the streets and become boozed-out beggar, or carved out a sober and rewarding career in some other profession?
8. Recalling his experiences in “Attacked by Heart,” “The Wisdom Tooth,” “Peep,” “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby,” and “Little Crucifixions,” with which of Burroughs’ numerous compulsions and neuroses do you most identify? Do you think being a celebrity allows you to get away with being more eccentric? Why? If you were a celebrity, what eccentricity would you like to cultivate?
9. Do “Try Our New Single, Black Mother Menu” and “Mrs. Chang” reinforce or challenge stereotypes? Why? Do you think it’s possible to talk honestly and humorously about race and not offend anyone? How do some food or retail chains in your area cater to certain demographics?
10. In “Pest Control” and “The Georgia Thumper,” how does Burroughs view his two grandmothers? If you could magically make any of your relatives disappear, would you? Which ones? Can you recall any non-relatives you knew while growing that you wished were part of your family? Why?
11. How does Burroughs use humor to address the subject of mental illness in “The Forecast for Sommer,” “The Wonder Boy,” and “Julia’s Child”? Does finding the comedy in such situations make those stories more accessible and emotionally affecting to readers? Why? Do you think “Julia’s Child” is a good essay with which to end the book?
(Questions issued by publishers.)
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