Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction
Book Review: An incredible, incredible book
Summary: 5 Stars
Being that I'm currently going through much the same thing that David Sheff went through--albeit on a smaller scale (if there is such a thing as a "smaller scale" of addiction when your own kid is the addict)--Beautiful Boy made me cry like a baby many, many times. I'm sure if you read it, it will affect you, too. So many of the thoughts the dad has are dead on with what I've experienced over the last four years. And the realization that he finally came to--that one way or another, your child will live or die with or without you, and it's really out of your control, so you have to let go of it--is the one thing that I just haven't been able to get my arms around yet. I totally understand what he's saying. But letting go is so, so, so hard. I get daily updates from my kid's counselor at rehab (my son signed a full disclosure agreement). And I cry after reading them. I never in a million years thought that I'd have an addict for a son who would be in rehab 360 miles away from home at age 18. It's tough. To everyone who is reading this review and has a younger child: Talk to them about drugs. Talk about the dangers, talk about alternatives to self-medication, etc. You do NOT want to go through what David Sheff went through and what my wife and I are going through and have gone through for 4+ years. You'll just have to trust me on that one. Kudos to Mr. Sheff for writing one of the best books I've ever read. I wish nothing but the best for him and his son, Nic.Book Review: honest and riveting
Summary: 5 Stars
Loved this book! It is a very honest and heartbreaking depiction of the back-and-forth existence of being the parent of an addict. The father makes no excuses and continually reassesses his impact and/or responsibility in his son's illness. No self-pity or blame placed - just raw emotion. I hope to never have to go through this, but will give this book to anyone suffering through it. BEAUTIFUL BOOK!Book Review: Lacking Story Line Development
Summary: 3 Stars
I felt like there were some really great opportunities for author David Sheff to develop a few more plot lines besides the sheer despair that he felt each time his son deserted his promises to "be clean". Perhaps he could have explored the facts about the major drug companies abilitiy to irradicate certain substances found in the manufacture of meth. Sheff never really makes the connection as to the inner reasons for his son's drug addiction, there is much speculation and wondering and self blame, but there is no real admission of hereditary, parenting effect, environmental, or a combinatin of them all. The ending also leaves you hanging. Where is he today? Did all the therapy work? Ah, yes, now the son gets to write "his side of the story", clever. Book Review: Excellent!
Summary: 5 Stars
A wonderful book. I read it in 3 days. Especially good if you are a parent. His writing & honesty are amazing.Book Review: Audio Book
Summary: 4 Stars
I had never "listened" to a book before. It really made a great book come alive. The narrator did a fantastic job of making me feel the anguish of this parent. It was truthful, even when not flattering to a consciencious parent. It made the reader understand how people can care about someone and love them deeply, but for a parent with a child in the throes of addiction it's painful beyond words until David Sheff put pen to paper. And then you still know while you hear the words and feel the pain, you can't make your heart stop in the same way unless you were to experience such a malignancy yourself. It was a beautiful haunting tale that I will never forget. And I will always root for this man and his son.