Plot Summary

A Wolf at the Table

Augusten Burroughs
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A Wolf at the Table

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2008

Book Brief

Augusten Burroughs

A Wolf at the Table

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Massachusetts • 1970s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Wolf at the Table is a memoir by Augusten Burroughs that details his early childhood and complicated relationship with his distant and troubled father, from Augusten's initial yearning for his father's affection to the eventual resentment he feels as their familial bond deteriorates, leading to his father's eventual death and Augusten seeking closure. The book discusses experiences of child neglect, substance abuse, and emotional trauma.

Dark

Unnerving

Emotional

Melancholic

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.1

30,499 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs presents a harrowing memoir characterized by stark, vivid prose. Reviewers praise its emotional depth and compelling storytelling, but critiques include an overreliance on dark themes and a sometimes disjointed narrative. Overall, it offers an unsettling yet powerful exploration of a troubled father-son relationship.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Wolf at the Table?

A reader who would enjoy A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs is likely drawn to dark, introspective memoirs exploring complex family dynamics. Fans of J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy or Jeanette Walls' The Glass Castle will appreciate the raw, emotional storytelling and vivid, evocative prose.

4.1

30,499 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Massachusetts • 1970s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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