Augusten Burroughs' mother, Deirdre, who wishes to become a famous poet, suffers from severe mood swings and erratic behavior. Augusten's alcoholic father, Norman, proves to be of no help. By the time he is a young teenager, Augusten no longer feels safe in his own house because of his parents. Deirdre loudly claims that Norman is the reason for her unhappiness, and that he desires to kill her. She ultimately sends then 13 year-old Augusten to live with her psychiatrist, Dr. Finch, the eccentric ("Everyone ... a miracle ... see ... my turd is a direct communication from the God the Father") patriarch of an oddball family, which consists of his submissive wife Agnes, religious older daughter Hope, and his rebellious younger daughter Natalie, who is slightly older than Augusten.