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This memoir gives a unique view on drug addiction: finally, we hear the story from someone besides the actual addict. This fathers account of his son's dive into the unforgiving world of addiction pulls out all the stops, revealing far more than any other addiction memoir has ever come close to. This book is a must read for anyone hoping to come a step closer to understanding addiction.
Beautifully written. Heart rending. Very educational. I gave the book to a group that helps recovering addicts.
He focuses more on himself and his reactions rather than his son's Nic's, as an almost "how to cope with your child's addiction" resource for parents rather than an actual memoir of his son's. When I picked up "A Beautiful Boy," I was hoping for the same heart-felt, edge-of-your-seat writing I found in "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey. Instead, I found Sheff's writing to be a bit tedious, drawn-out, and self-indulgent. The parts that did deal with Nic were too sporadic and thus made it difficult to relate to and react with characters.If you, like me, are seeking to find a book that helps you struggle with a loved one's addiction, I do not recommend this unless you are a parent looking to relate with David's struggle. He focuses on him way too much in this novel.
It was almost as if he was hidden in my closet and wrote a book from what my family went through. This is a great book to read if you know anyone that suffers with an addiction. While reading the book I could relate to most of what David Sheff wrote. It made me realize that sadly that many people do suffer for some type of addiction, the problem is so many people do not receive the help they truly need before it is too late. I highly recommend this if you know anyone who is an addict or if you are just curious about addiction, it is a real eye opener.
He talks about the devil and seems to embrace the concept of evil, yet denies a belief in God. I experienced everything this writer has gone through, yet ask God to take this burden from me. He calls out to God, yet denies His existance. I have to agree with many others who have experienced this with a child.
Most more than having an addict in the family. We have two other beautiful children. It has great information about the history of certain drugs and reference to other books. I see a man who has neglected his wife and two other children on a self absorbed, personal quest to find an answer to his own life purpose. After suffering the "why me, why our family time", there is a peace you recieve that you cannot understand.
ALL PEOPLE suffer in some way. He sends his son to rehabs, but does not embrace or believe in their techniques of healing. After everthing, he still denies the posibility of something greater then himself. They are happy because their parents can find joy in the midst of suffering.
I found this book to be interresting and well written. It is the peace of God. It gives you the ability do think clearly and guides you to a better inderstanding of the whole concept of why people suffer. It brings you to focus on what you do have and not what you don't. My son is an alcholic. THAT IS THE SECRET OF A WONDERFUL LIFE. The writer is spritualy empty and narcasistic.
I conclude, from the arthur's anthiest point of view, I find this an exceptional read, showing how without God you will not overcome anything. I am a Christian. He is 21 years old. They are in college and very happy. You will suffer just as this writter continues to question and suffer hopelessness today.
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