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The Long Journey Home: A Memoir
First introduced to the world in her sons’ now-classic memoirs—Augusten Burroughs’s Running with Scissors and John Elder Robison’s Look Me in the Eye —Margaret Robison now tells her own haunting and lyrical story. A poet and teacher by profession, Robison describes her Southern Gothic childhood, her marriage to a handsome, brilliant man who became a split-personality alcoholic and abusive husband, the challenges she faced raising two children while having psychotic breakdowns of her own, and her struggle to regain her sanity.
Robison grew up in southern Georgia, where the façade of 1950s propriety masked all sorts of demons, including alcoholism, misogyny, repressed homosexuality, and suicide. She met her husband, John Robison, in college, and together they moved up north, where John embarked upon a successful academic career and Margaret brought up the children and worked on her art and poetry. Yet her husband’s alcoholism and her collapse into psychosis, and the eventual disintegration of their marriage, took a tremendous toll on their Her older son, John Elder, moved out of the house when he was a teenager, and her younger son, Chris (who later renamed himself Augusten), never completed high school. When Margaret met Dr. Rodolph Turcotte, the therapist who was treating her husband, she felt understood for the first time and quickly fell under his idiosyncratic and, eventually, harmful influence.
Robison writes movingly and honestly about her mental illness, her shortcomings as a parent, her difficult marriage, her traumatic relationship with Dr. Turcotte, and her two now-famous children, Augusten Burroughs and John Elder Robison, who have each written bestselling memoirs about their family. She also writes inspiringly about her hard-earned journey to sanity and clarity. An astonishing and enduring story, The Long Journey Home is a remarkable and ultimately uplifting account of a complicated, afflicted twentieth-century family.
Robison grew up in southern Georgia, where the façade of 1950s propriety masked all sorts of demons, including alcoholism, misogyny, repressed homosexuality, and suicide. She met her husband, John Robison, in college, and together they moved up north, where John embarked upon a successful academic career and Margaret brought up the children and worked on her art and poetry. Yet her husband’s alcoholism and her collapse into psychosis, and the eventual disintegration of their marriage, took a tremendous toll on their Her older son, John Elder, moved out of the house when he was a teenager, and her younger son, Chris (who later renamed himself Augusten), never completed high school. When Margaret met Dr. Rodolph Turcotte, the therapist who was treating her husband, she felt understood for the first time and quickly fell under his idiosyncratic and, eventually, harmful influence.
Robison writes movingly and honestly about her mental illness, her shortcomings as a parent, her difficult marriage, her traumatic relationship with Dr. Turcotte, and her two now-famous children, Augusten Burroughs and John Elder Robison, who have each written bestselling memoirs about their family. She also writes inspiringly about her hard-earned journey to sanity and clarity. An astonishing and enduring story, The Long Journey Home is a remarkable and ultimately uplifting account of a complicated, afflicted twentieth-century family.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2011
31 people are currently reading
1165 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Robison
11 books37 followersMother of the writers Augusten Burroughs and John Elder Robison.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 25, 2011
UG. What a snake pit of a book. I know most readers are predisposed to hate Robison because of her son's books. So I tried to be cool while I read it. But wow. Meandering directionless through a childhood that isn't nearly as beautifully tragic as she wants it to be. Winding up drowning in a (relatively trauma-less, untragic) life of her own creation that is, surprise, as miserable as she is.
It's supposed to be Faulkner-esque and maybe it is but that doesn't mean it's not crap. It's supposed to be the heart-spill of a tragic and wronged poet, and maybe it is but that also doesn't mean it's not crap. No TRACE of a sense of humor within these many pages. Every page DROWNING is gothic tinted self-pity. I felt MISERABLE reading this book. Sick and trapped. That poor woman. But I don't want any part of it.
As for the three memoir rules:
1. TONS of self pity.
2. Not a story that is even remotely worth the time and attention it takes to read it.
3. Yeah, I guess she violated her own privacy. Like showing people the festering fleshwounds you refuse to treat.
It's supposed to be Faulkner-esque and maybe it is but that doesn't mean it's not crap. It's supposed to be the heart-spill of a tragic and wronged poet, and maybe it is but that also doesn't mean it's not crap. No TRACE of a sense of humor within these many pages. Every page DROWNING is gothic tinted self-pity. I felt MISERABLE reading this book. Sick and trapped. That poor woman. But I don't want any part of it.
As for the three memoir rules:
1. TONS of self pity.
2. Not a story that is even remotely worth the time and attention it takes to read it.
3. Yeah, I guess she violated her own privacy. Like showing people the festering fleshwounds you refuse to treat.
September 2, 2011
I thought this was an interesting exercise in memory and self- justification. Reading this as a supplement to Running with Scissors and Look me in the Eye, memoirs by her two sons, let's you see the tangled and confusing way lives are experienced in the same dysfunctional family. This book lacks some honesty and depth, but it certainly made me think Augusten Burroughs (Margaret's son Chris) was either so damaged that he can't see his experiences objectively, or that he is still so angry at his parents he can't find any glimmer of insight into what pain others in his family felt. Interestingly, I think Joh Elder Robison's memoir of growing up in this crazy family as a person with Asperger's is the best of the three books.
September 28, 2012
After reading "Look Me In the Eye" by John Elder Robison and then "Running with Scissors" by Augusten Burroughs (and becoming a major fan of Burroughs and his other books), how could I NOT read "The Long Journey Home: A Memoir" by Margaret Robison? After reading this memoir, it is apparent why Burroughs stopped speaking with his mother after he wrote "Running with Scissors" and slammed her "turn" at telling their story. Ms. Robison is so obviously playing the victim in this, while conveniently inserting some of her awful poetry. While she isn't a terrible writer, she tells her own, somewhat insignificant, story and downplays her role in leaving her youngest child in the care of a very dysfunctional family while glossing over gruesome details. It was difficult to take seriously. When she suffers a massive stroke late in life, it is difficult to feel any empathy. Augusten Burroughs is the true hero in this book (and HIS books), breaking through as a resilient individual through his crazy childhood and personal demons as an adult. Shame on Ms. Robison for trying to cash in on his success.
July 4, 2016
I loved "Running With Scissors" so I'm clearly Team Augusten and it was hard to be unbiased. Still, I gave it a try....and then during the long journey through her childhood I peeked to see what she had to say about him. (Whom she calls Chris which is just rude in my opinion. I suppose it's hard for a mother to call her son something other than what she named him but he's chosen his own name, that's who he is and she needs to respect that.) That quick peek has colored everything I feel about Robison, her and her pity party of a memoir.
She contends that RwS and Burroughs' later memoirs are untrue. (I don't but let's just do a thought exercise for a moment.) Let's give ourselves a moment to consider that...let's say we believe other than Burroughs' relationship with Neil Bookman (Jim in Robison's memoir) is false. And why should we believe that the relationship was real? Because Robison, while speaking of her relationship with a woman that her son walked in and freaked out says, "That he was having a sexual relationship with Jim (Neil Bookman) contributed nothing to his understanding and acceptance of me as his mother having a sexual relationship with another woman." (page 370)
WHAT???? You are worried about your gay son not understanding you're bisexual? Your THIRTEEN-year-old son? who is in a sexual relationship???
Margaret, can I call you Margaret? - No? Sorry, Margaret, don't care...let me tell you something...a THIRTEEN-year-old is NOT in a sexual relationship, can NEVER be in a sexual relationship because he is not old enough to consent. That makes it RAPE. No matter how 'in love' a child and his abuser claim to be, it's RAPE. But instead of atoning to him for allowing him to be repeatedly orally and anally raped, you are angry with him for not acknowledging your version of your tryst with your girlfriend?
Sorry, lady, but that has ruined any respect I may have been able to give you. Even if I was willing to look at both sides of this story and give your version more credit, I am no longer. All I have gotten from your rebuttal memoir is that you are a selfish bitch who should be grateful that either of her sons ever spoke to her again and if she's completely lost one, that's her own fault.
All The Long Journey Home has done has made me even firmer Team Augusten.
She contends that RwS and Burroughs' later memoirs are untrue. (I don't but let's just do a thought exercise for a moment.) Let's give ourselves a moment to consider that...let's say we believe other than Burroughs' relationship with Neil Bookman (Jim in Robison's memoir) is false. And why should we believe that the relationship was real? Because Robison, while speaking of her relationship with a woman that her son walked in and freaked out says, "That he was having a sexual relationship with Jim (Neil Bookman) contributed nothing to his understanding and acceptance of me as his mother having a sexual relationship with another woman." (page 370)
WHAT???? You are worried about your gay son not understanding you're bisexual? Your THIRTEEN-year-old son? who is in a sexual relationship???
Margaret, can I call you Margaret? - No? Sorry, Margaret, don't care...let me tell you something...a THIRTEEN-year-old is NOT in a sexual relationship, can NEVER be in a sexual relationship because he is not old enough to consent. That makes it RAPE. No matter how 'in love' a child and his abuser claim to be, it's RAPE. But instead of atoning to him for allowing him to be repeatedly orally and anally raped, you are angry with him for not acknowledging your version of your tryst with your girlfriend?
Sorry, lady, but that has ruined any respect I may have been able to give you. Even if I was willing to look at both sides of this story and give your version more credit, I am no longer. All I have gotten from your rebuttal memoir is that you are a selfish bitch who should be grateful that either of her sons ever spoke to her again and if she's completely lost one, that's her own fault.
All The Long Journey Home has done has made me even firmer Team Augusten.
February 26, 2011
I enjoyed this book. It was very interesting to read the "other side" of the story. When I read Running With Scissors, I was absolutely horrified by some of what Burroughs said happened in his life.
Robison's side of the story is equally disarming. Her memoir reads as a fairly emotionless recount of a pretty tragic and depressing life. I kept waiting for some emotion to seep into the story, but it was pretty flat.
There were times when I found myself trying to piece together a "truth" by adding her perspective to Burroughs' perspective--I was even tempted to track down "Look Me in the Eye" to get the other son's perspective.
And, then, I realized, "I've put enough time and energy into trying to figure out this family's life! I don't really care what the truth is!" It was clearly a pretty sad life for all of them, and I keep reading these books, looking for their happy ending. I don't think it is coming...
Robison's side of the story is equally disarming. Her memoir reads as a fairly emotionless recount of a pretty tragic and depressing life. I kept waiting for some emotion to seep into the story, but it was pretty flat.
There were times when I found myself trying to piece together a "truth" by adding her perspective to Burroughs' perspective--I was even tempted to track down "Look Me in the Eye" to get the other son's perspective.
And, then, I realized, "I've put enough time and energy into trying to figure out this family's life! I don't really care what the truth is!" It was clearly a pretty sad life for all of them, and I keep reading these books, looking for their happy ending. I don't think it is coming...
May 7, 2011
Margaret Robison’s memoir, "A Long Journey Home", was a journey to read. Much of her writing was disjointed and, at times, hard to follow. She rambled on, obsessing over minute details that lacked substance. For any novelist, there is a fine balance between giving too much detail and not giving enough. Robison erred on the side of too much information. Sometimes her writing was calm and clear, but most of the time it jumped erratically from thought to thought.
The thing that made this novel hard to read, was the fact that Ms. Robison failed to adequately portray, “her side of the story”. As it reads, I found myself asking, “what about your kids”. As a teen, her son, Chris, appeared to be all but forgotten. Neither of the kids had a stable parent. Yet Robison does not take responsibility for how she negatively affected her children. There is no remorse and no apology. Robison notes over and over how her memory was affected by her psychosis, and later her stroke, but she insists that her sons’ novels were lies. Maybe they were, maybe they were not, the author does not provide any concrete information that contradicts her sons' statements.
Margaret Robison made a bold attempt to help readers understand what it is like to be mentally ill. We see how frightening and difficult it can be to the individual sufferer, as well as to those around her. There is little doubt how terrible it must feel to see things that are not there, etc. Unfortunately, the novel did not have the author’s desired effect, which was to redeem herself in the face of her sons conflicting views. In fact, she looked very self absorbed. Had this been a work of fiction, regardless of her haphazard writing, it may have worked. Regrettably, it was not.
The thing that made this novel hard to read, was the fact that Ms. Robison failed to adequately portray, “her side of the story”. As it reads, I found myself asking, “what about your kids”. As a teen, her son, Chris, appeared to be all but forgotten. Neither of the kids had a stable parent. Yet Robison does not take responsibility for how she negatively affected her children. There is no remorse and no apology. Robison notes over and over how her memory was affected by her psychosis, and later her stroke, but she insists that her sons’ novels were lies. Maybe they were, maybe they were not, the author does not provide any concrete information that contradicts her sons' statements.
Margaret Robison made a bold attempt to help readers understand what it is like to be mentally ill. We see how frightening and difficult it can be to the individual sufferer, as well as to those around her. There is little doubt how terrible it must feel to see things that are not there, etc. Unfortunately, the novel did not have the author’s desired effect, which was to redeem herself in the face of her sons conflicting views. In fact, she looked very self absorbed. Had this been a work of fiction, regardless of her haphazard writing, it may have worked. Regrettably, it was not.
February 26, 2011
This review is based on an Advanced Reader's Edition. I was not familiar with the Robison family before meeting them in this book but it functions well as a stand-alone memoir. It begins with not Margaret but her parents and other close relatives, who would all heavily influence her life. Born into an odd amalgam of characters, heiress to unspoken family secrets, Margaret Robison spends her youth in Cairo, Georgia, wanting to be someone - and somewhere - else. The memoir follows Margaret as she grows, marries, begins a family of her own, and fights for decades to both preserve her families and survive them. Through myriad challenges she succeeds at times and fails at times but is determined to keep trying, keep pushing forward. Some of my favorite parts came in the author's psychotic breaks; though the conditions are often terrifying, her words and images contain surprising comfort, compassion, spiritual and emotional awakening. Some of the passages are filled with a deep and wrenching sense of beauty; if this book had nothing else to offer (which it does), I would recommend it for those pieces alone.
My criticisms are weak and few. There seems to be an unwritten understanding that the audience has read Augusten Burroughs's Running With Scissors. Several scenes and references are included to explain, defend, or correct what was written in that book, sometimes with little or no background information for the uninitiated reader. Progress along the timeline is uneven and sometimes confusing. A passing reference may include people and projects new to the reader and which are only explained chapters later. People in general are difficult to keep straight at times, with groups of acquaintances scattered over decades and numerous family members included in the stories. Overall it has quite a disjointed feel, but perhaps that is to be expected, considering everything the author shares.
Despite the confusion and awkwardness, I recommend it.
My criticisms are weak and few. There seems to be an unwritten understanding that the audience has read Augusten Burroughs's Running With Scissors. Several scenes and references are included to explain, defend, or correct what was written in that book, sometimes with little or no background information for the uninitiated reader. Progress along the timeline is uneven and sometimes confusing. A passing reference may include people and projects new to the reader and which are only explained chapters later. People in general are difficult to keep straight at times, with groups of acquaintances scattered over decades and numerous family members included in the stories. Overall it has quite a disjointed feel, but perhaps that is to be expected, considering everything the author shares.
Despite the confusion and awkwardness, I recommend it.
Read
May 22, 2011If I could give this book negative stars I would.....complete abdication of responsibility while also attempting to leverage her childrens' well deserved literary attention.
June 20, 2011
Many of us have read Ms. Robison's sons' memoirs on growing up in their highly dysfunctional family. Long Journey Home is their mother's response. The book is a bit choppy and chaotic, but there are moments throughout that remind you that the author is a poet - landscape or moments vividly described in unexpected language.
My problem with all three books is personal and derives from my difficulty in answering some questions for myself: At what point does memoir about family become cathartic and illuminating and at what point is it all about an axe to grind in a highly public forum? Does that even matter? I'm always somewhat squirmy when families parade their dysfunction and even squirmier when it becomes their own little cottage industry as is the case with this family. Where is the line between explication and public revenge?
I confess that this memoir made me cringe more often than it enchanted me with its language, but all three memoirs combined inform an interesting discussion about the purpose of memoir, its definitions, and its place in a family's history. That's a worthwhile discussion to have in this age of public confession.
My problem with all three books is personal and derives from my difficulty in answering some questions for myself: At what point does memoir about family become cathartic and illuminating and at what point is it all about an axe to grind in a highly public forum? Does that even matter? I'm always somewhat squirmy when families parade their dysfunction and even squirmier when it becomes their own little cottage industry as is the case with this family. Where is the line between explication and public revenge?
I confess that this memoir made me cringe more often than it enchanted me with its language, but all three memoirs combined inform an interesting discussion about the purpose of memoir, its definitions, and its place in a family's history. That's a worthwhile discussion to have in this age of public confession.
February 24, 2020
Sylvia Plath she is not.
April 29, 2013
Until last week I was not aware of this memoir written by the mother of Augusten Burroughs and John Elder Robison. I discovered it while searching for something else on the catalog of my public library.
I have read memoir by both Burroughs and Robison. Initially I thought it would be interesting to see how different (or similar) their accounts were from that of their mother. Instead I was almost immediately drawn in to the life of this woman, whose own life was fascinating, challenging and in many ways inspiring.
With plenty of addiction and mental illness in her own family, as well as in the family of her husband (who was the father of her two boys), Margaret Robison made lots of mistakes and did a lot of damage to herself and her family members.
She writes beautifully of her own childhood, her psychotic breaks, her struggles in raising her children, and her creative efforts in art and poetry and finally in the prose that comprises this book.
There are contradictions between the three memoirists memory of life in the Robison home. That is to be expected. The perception of each of the family members who recorded their memories was different and conflicting. Unfortunately, some of the relationships were permanently affected by these differences in perception, and by the public airing of various viewpoints.
I have long thought highly of Augusten Burroughs. I also thought John Elder Robison's book was quite fascinating. Now I find myself to be very moved by this very personal viewpoint of Margaret Robison. It is not for me to decide who is right or who is wrong. Memories and perceptions belong to the people who have them. I appreciate those who decide to share them.
I would highly recommend this book and would give it 4.5 stars, if that were an potion.
I have read memoir by both Burroughs and Robison. Initially I thought it would be interesting to see how different (or similar) their accounts were from that of their mother. Instead I was almost immediately drawn in to the life of this woman, whose own life was fascinating, challenging and in many ways inspiring.
With plenty of addiction and mental illness in her own family, as well as in the family of her husband (who was the father of her two boys), Margaret Robison made lots of mistakes and did a lot of damage to herself and her family members.
She writes beautifully of her own childhood, her psychotic breaks, her struggles in raising her children, and her creative efforts in art and poetry and finally in the prose that comprises this book.
There are contradictions between the three memoirists memory of life in the Robison home. That is to be expected. The perception of each of the family members who recorded their memories was different and conflicting. Unfortunately, some of the relationships were permanently affected by these differences in perception, and by the public airing of various viewpoints.
I have long thought highly of Augusten Burroughs. I also thought John Elder Robison's book was quite fascinating. Now I find myself to be very moved by this very personal viewpoint of Margaret Robison. It is not for me to decide who is right or who is wrong. Memories and perceptions belong to the people who have them. I appreciate those who decide to share them.
I would highly recommend this book and would give it 4.5 stars, if that were an potion.
October 29, 2014
This book is the occasionally hyper-dramatic but always eerily compelling account of how Robison managed her way through life, despite complications and contradictions, navigating anger, betrayal, loss, happiness and success. Some passages, standing alone, would receive 5 stars, and in those moments of clarity and insightful honesty, I could not stop reading. But a good number of passages seemed overblown and bordering on maudlin - those moments would rank as 2 stars. So the text evens out overall to a 3, solid writing that oscillates, just as did its author, between extremes.
Regardless of her final verdicts, on life, love, and sanity, Robison does exalt writing itself as an exercise that can create stability where there is none and heal the soul. So, since the tone jumps back and forth, perhaps this memoir captures glimpses from the other side of the mind, where the human condition meets it greatest enemies. For that rarity alone, it is valuable. Whatever might be her perspective, and where ever the place might be from which it derives, this book is an interesting character study that is definitely worth the read, no matter how long it might take you to actually get through it. Especially read in conjunction with her sons' works, together they paint a mosaic that teaches about memory, self-knowledge, viewpoint, acceptance, forgiveness, understanding (and the lack thereof), and survival. I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in between, but the extremes are much more fascinating.
This book was won through the Goodreads First Reads program.
Regardless of her final verdicts, on life, love, and sanity, Robison does exalt writing itself as an exercise that can create stability where there is none and heal the soul. So, since the tone jumps back and forth, perhaps this memoir captures glimpses from the other side of the mind, where the human condition meets it greatest enemies. For that rarity alone, it is valuable. Whatever might be her perspective, and where ever the place might be from which it derives, this book is an interesting character study that is definitely worth the read, no matter how long it might take you to actually get through it. Especially read in conjunction with her sons' works, together they paint a mosaic that teaches about memory, self-knowledge, viewpoint, acceptance, forgiveness, understanding (and the lack thereof), and survival. I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in between, but the extremes are much more fascinating.
This book was won through the Goodreads First Reads program.
June 21, 2016
3.5 stars
I have been a Burroughs fan for years, but I just recently discovered the memoirs written by his mother and brother. Running with Scissors is so crazy dysfunctional that one cannot help diving deeper to discover how "truth" may be altered by various perspectives. It was interesting to see the parallels in each story, but Margaret Robison and Augusten Burroughs were approaching each from opposite spectrums. I enjoyed reading her side of things; she provided a background and insight that Burroughs wouldn't have. I was able to understand things a bit better from her perspective. I still, however, feel that she was so wrapped up in her issues that she was blind to much that was happening in the lives of her boys. She seems to be a different kind of eccentric than Burroughs describes her in Running with Scissors, but eccentric nonetheless. Her writing is a little choppy and a little fluffy at times. However, I enjoyed this memoir for the most part.
I have been a Burroughs fan for years, but I just recently discovered the memoirs written by his mother and brother. Running with Scissors is so crazy dysfunctional that one cannot help diving deeper to discover how "truth" may be altered by various perspectives. It was interesting to see the parallels in each story, but Margaret Robison and Augusten Burroughs were approaching each from opposite spectrums. I enjoyed reading her side of things; she provided a background and insight that Burroughs wouldn't have. I was able to understand things a bit better from her perspective. I still, however, feel that she was so wrapped up in her issues that she was blind to much that was happening in the lives of her boys. She seems to be a different kind of eccentric than Burroughs describes her in Running with Scissors, but eccentric nonetheless. Her writing is a little choppy and a little fluffy at times. However, I enjoyed this memoir for the most part.
February 16, 2018
Ugh - I knew I was in trouble when the first chapter started in 1935! Her only fame came from her bizarre treatment of her sons. I quit, returned this to the Library. I should have read the Goodreads ratings first.
September 28, 2020
I have finally come full circle - the Unholy Trinity!! I have read all three versions of this dysfunctional family. Mother Margaret, besides being mentally challenged is also a self-centered drama queen. She adds rainbows and lollipops to her memoir, while Augusten centers on hate and fear and John Elder’s version falls somewhere in between. Regardless it was not a happy home, the truth lies out there somewhere in the middle of the road! The writing wasn’t very good and some parts were downright boring!!
Why did she never mention sending Chris to Dr Turcotte and then letting him adopt her son? That was a pretty big part of Scissors?
Both sides of the families were rife with mental issues for generations - no wonder they were ALL screwed up!
Why did she never mention sending Chris to Dr Turcotte and then letting him adopt her son? That was a pretty big part of Scissors?
Both sides of the families were rife with mental issues for generations - no wonder they were ALL screwed up!
March 7, 2011
I received this book as a First Reads Edition and was really excited to read it. Having finished the book I am feeling rather mixed. It was a bit disjointed as I have seen other reviewers mention. To be fair the author has had multiple psychotic breaks and a massive stroke and freely admits to gaps in her memory so a fully linear narrative is not a fair expectation and probably not even necessary. There are some very strong images and feelings evoked as the author discusses her battle with mental illness and her determination to return to as normal a life as possible after a stroke which left her initially with severe speech limitations and permanent paralysis on her left side. These sections of the book are compelling and I would have loved to have read more about her personal struggles and the strength she had to overcome them. She was less successful at describing her relationships with others. Ironically her son, John Elder is best known for his memoir about his own experience with Aspergers Syndrome and I see definite traits toward the same sort of difficulty with relationships and difficulty breaking out of herself existing within the author. She sometimes uses the individuals in her narrative, who she states had great influence and meaning to her as props or asides in detailing her own story. While I don't doubt that much of her other son, Augusten's Burroughs' account of their life from Running With Scissors is exaggerated, it is easy to see traces of the self obsessed, self important woman portayed in his narrative within Margaret's own narrative. She is least successful when attempting to defend herself from both of her sons' portrayals of her and would perhaps have been better off not even responding to the previous writing. She has a fascinating story to tell in her own right and when the author focuses on her personal narrative and experiences and avoids convincing us that she is a talented writer, artist and misconstrued woman she succeeds in having us see the unique person she is. I would recommend this as an interesting first hand account of mental illness and recovery from multiple traumas.
May 12, 2011
Everyone has a story. Margaret Robison’s story took many years to tell. Her sons (Augusten Burroughs and John Elder Robison) told only bits and pieces of her story in telling their own stories. Margaret used poetry to share glimpses of her thoughts and feelings, but poetry is just that: glimpses. Here in her memoir, Margaret Robison is able to tell her own very emotional story.
Margaret’s childhood in the 1950s was a different world than the world today. However, even then it was a facade. It was not the life that it appeared to be, setting the stage for many of Margaret’s later struggles. The difficult societal changes following the 1950s were challenging enough. Add to that Margaret’s turmoil in dealing with issues of alcoholism and mental illness, not only as a woman, but as a wife and mother.
Margaret is open about her battles and her feelings. Her memoir is difficult to read in its honesty and its poignancy. Yet it is beautifully told and ultimately inspirational.
Indeed it was a long journey for Margaret, but I believe she is finally “Home”.
October 9, 2011
I had read some negative reviews on this book, which is why it took me so long to finally pick it up and read it. Some people said her book made excuses for the things that happened in her son's book. However, I feel like her book is just their life from her viewpoint. That being the viewpoint of a mother. Ask any family to tell you the story of their life, and you will get several different versions of the same thing. That is what happens in this book.
Never does she make excuses for anything that happened in their life. It's a beautifully written book, full of honesty, pain, regret, forgivness, more pain.
Reading her book doesn't make me think that her son's books were full of lies. Just that they wrote their books from their memory of growing up in this very dysfunctional family. As a mother I can understand her description of their life growing up. And as a daughter, I can understand theirs.
Never does she make excuses for anything that happened in their life. It's a beautifully written book, full of honesty, pain, regret, forgivness, more pain.
Reading her book doesn't make me think that her son's books were full of lies. Just that they wrote their books from their memory of growing up in this very dysfunctional family. As a mother I can understand her description of their life growing up. And as a daughter, I can understand theirs.
July 12, 2011
Ugh. She lacks the talent of either of her sons, especially Augusten. After having read all of his stuff, I expected to be thoroughly entertained by his mother's work. This woman clearly thinks she has all the talent in the world, as she often reminds the reader. If you have to remind your audience that you are a Writer, there's a problem. She also repeatedly complains about her difficult childhood, which, compared to the hell she exposed her own sons to, was nothing. She's self important and boring. She's right that there is talent in her family. It belongs to her sons.
July 23, 2013
I looked forward to reading this book, hoping to get a better understanding of the mother Augusten Burroughs described in his books, but was sorely disappointed. There were a few interesting segments of her life, but most of her stories were boring and irrelevant- like she was trying to explain her "crazy" but couldn't. "Running With Scissors" may be mostly fiction, according to Miss Robison, but it was an easier and more enjoyable read.
July 27, 2011
Long Journey Home is poorly written and not very interesting. Were Margaret Robison not the mother of Augstin Burroughs, this meroir never would have been published. Robison's portrayal of herself reveals her to be narciccistic and overly eager to place herself in the role of the victim in order to justify her own behavior later in life.
March 8, 2012
Written by the mother of John Elder Robison (Look me in the eye) and Augusten Burroughs (Running with scissors), Margaret Robison's autobiography is so depressing I finally had to stop reading because I couldn't take it anymore! Truly, it is a very sad account of a woman tortured by her depression and psychosis and the unhealthy relationships that follow her through life.
Want to read
January 31, 2011I have read a bunch of stuff by Augusten Burroughs and also have researched the story behind the book. I would totally love to hear Margaret's side of the story. I was always fascinated by Augusten's description of her and her melodramatic ways. Looks great!
November 15, 2016
I don't like giving bad reviews on books. This book however true, was poorly written and I felt like she was just attacking her son for his book. I find memoirs very interesting and yes this was interesting. Strange yet interesting. She is all over the place and it's hard to follow.
July 20, 2011
just an awful book.boring,all over the place,
August 17, 2012
Abandoned, spring 2012. Meh.
There should be a status for "abandoned unfinished".
There should be a status for "abandoned unfinished".
April 6, 2012
interesting at times. but sadly too tedious for me to finish. The knowledge that there were only 20 pages left could not convince me it was worth my time to read on.
August 26, 2011
I couldn't finish the book, it was too depressing too crazy. Even though I had all the other books from this family, this was just too over the top to finish.
August 29, 2011
I'll stick to Augusten.
September 28, 2011
I have concluded that she really is crazy and selfish, a difficult combination to have as your mother!
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