Customer Reviews

Running from the Devil: A Memoir of a Boy Possessed

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At first you don't think young Stevie Kissing is going to win. But somehow, in the strangest of adolescent maneuverings, he does. You must read this memoir to find out how. And you will rarely stop when you begin reading. In Running with the Devil, an older, wiser Steve Kissing looks back with brilliant narrative drive to a delusional childhood. He chronicles the unruly effects of not a lapsed Catholic childhood, but one that was given to inadvertant bouts of, well, hallucinations, bad dreams, and unreliable goals. And he captures in utter poignancy and hilarity what it means to feel ostracized and clearly puzzled by a strange affliction obsessing him.

It's this juggling act of emotions that occurs with the reader and in the prose that give this memoir the brilliant edge the best creative nonfiction offers. You often don't think young Steve Kissing is going to win, but he does, and once you start in - as I said before - you are not leaving his side as a reader who shadows every page with him.

Being a tenth grade English teacher (at a Catholic school) puts me in a difficult position when it comes to finding books I know my students will be able to grasp and with which they can relate. Kissing's book is just what I was looking for to use in a unit that considers the plight of adolescents and the lengths they go to in order to hide what's going on inside from the world. Steve's book had me both crying and laughing at the same time--a rare gift. His sense of humor is obviously what helped him get through those years.

Nothing I can say will truly do justice for this book. The fact that I even picked up the book in the middle of the most hectic part of the year, much less devoured it as fast as I could speaks for itself. I am a serious critic, but I will say that, much like Stephen King, Steve Kissing had the talent to make me belly laugh in the middle of true horror.

As I said above, you DON'T want to miss this book.

A very honest and funny insight into the mind of an adolescent still caught partially in a childlike, literal understanding of the world, as he progresses to the more rational world of an adult. It's fascinating to see how the author's interpretation and understanding of his affliction are influenced by his environment, in this case his Catholic faith. A true life bildungsroman with both funny and poignant moments, this book has universal appeal. What resonated with me was seeing how our childlike interpretations so significantly effect our development (and no doubt continue to do so). One is left wondering whether this particular guy's crazy interpretations of events were such a bad thing for him after all. A really enjoyable read.

I just finished reading Running From The Devil. I couldn't put it down. Steve writes about his experiences growing up and thinking he is possesed with the devil, in all actuality he is having seizures. This book was both sad and at the same time histerical. I can remember growing up the same era he did and doing some of dorky things that he did, but not with the demons that he experienced. I am a nurse at a seizure clinic and have heard similar stories to Steve's. I can hardly wait to share his stories/experiences with our patients and reassure them they are not the only ones who experience these weird episodes. I highy recommend this book to all who have seizures or know someone who has them. It really gives insight to what that person is experiencing.

and everyone else who walked the hallowed halls of an elementary school and high school!

I could not put this book down once I had begun reading it.
This story is laugh out loud funny as well as eloquent and heartbreaking at times. The writing and the historical references are so vivid that many times I felt like I was back in my gradeschool classroom.

And if you are a parent, the insights into a child's mind and how they can interpret -or misinterpret- life's happenings are invaluable.

This book is an easy read which keeps you wanting more. It is a book about a boy dealing with all the craziness in his mind and body, by himself. It really brings back fun memories of being a kid and growing up in the Catholic faith. Steve explains his memories of life in such a fun, entertaining way. Highly recommend!

I was fortunate to have met Steve Kissing some years ago, before he was married, and while he was still attending college. He had written a guest editorial for the Cincinnati Enquirer, and I wrote to him with my comments. We connected, and became friends and occasional correspondents, and he even invited me to his wedding. We lost touch for a few years, however, and it was in March that I heard from Steve, and he told me about his wonderful book. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy, and my wife and I both read it with enthusiasm and emotion. Neither of us could put it down. Steve reveals a gift for writing which is often unusual for people who are publishing for the first time. If you grew up Catholic (or even if you didn't), if you have kids, or if you ever WERE a kid, I would recommend this book, and I virtually guarantee you'll love it.

This is such an important work for parents, teachers or anyone who cares about the inner landscape of children. By reading Steve's book you will be transported back to your own childhood and adolescence.
Within it you will find a mixture of humor, resilience and moments of pure grace. One could not help but to come away from reading "Running" with more compassion for our children but most profoundly for the children we once were.
"Running" would make a great book for families of teens or junior high students to experience together, as it provides many opportunities to discuss topics appropriate and challenging for today's youth.

I could relate very closely to Steve's story not only growing up in a Catholic school but also with epilepsy. If there is a parent out there with a young child having seizures- please read this! It is important for you to see a young person's point of view. You can then assure your child that it is not their fault and they can grow up without looking at epilepsy as a 'burden'.

If you are an older child or newly diagnosed adult, the book will help you see that you are not alone. (How many of us actually know another person with epilepsy?)

The tone that is being used in this writing is not only humorous but also VERY friendly. Great job Steve, thank you!!

I could relate very closely to Steve's story not only growing up in a Catholic school but also having epilepsy. If there is a parent out there with a young child having seizures please read this! It is important for you to see a young person's point of view. You can assure your child that it is not their fault and they can grow up without looking at epilepsy as a 'burden'.

If you are an older child or newly diagnosed adult, the book will help you see that you are not alone. (How many of us actually know another person with epilepsy?)

The tone that being used in this writing is not only humorous but also VERY friendly. Great job Steve, thank you!!