I hope by Augusten Burroughs' title of his latest book, You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas, he excuses tears of laughter and merriment. His muddling of various Christmas traditions had me on the first page. The book did not meet the table again until the very last page filled with bliss. A page-turner in Burroughs honest, unfiltered demeanor brings me to the oddest of occasions I could never imagine, yet to which I can relate.
In Burroughs' natural style, he provides chapters of enjoyment appealing to the heart of the reader and the madness of the holidays. He illuminates both in each of his stories. Joy and childhood games, hope and desolate, cold stone sobriety and blackout drunkenness, each chapter is wrought with candid feeling. Still they all carry the magic of Santa, his sleigh, and the spirit of Christmas.
You Better Not Cry is unique for Burroughs in that its many tales revolve around a singular theme: Christmas. It is not a title to represent a phase of his life as most his other books are. Rather, it ties many singular events of his eccentric upbringing and realized adulthood together under a premise that compels the Christmas spirit at any age.
Augusten Burroughs applies his twist of humor to his stories to allow readers to live the candor and raw experience of his prose. His logic when dealing with his grandparents' gift is one to laugh aloud to. Only later to picture him as an adult, dodging the Santas on the corner for fear of recognition, I felt myself pulling my head between my shoulders. Toward the end, I could feel the ice cold steps he awoke upon and had to throw on an extra blanket as I turned the page.
Though I could not put the book down, its quick stories filled with love, disgust, and hope are perfect to read between appointments, flights, and awkward conversations. Plus, the compact size is ideal for a purse, briefcase, or Christmas stocking!
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