Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction
Author: David Sheff
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co
Binding: Hardcover
Released: 2008-02-26
Sales Rank: 357
I have shared this book with my 21 yr old son who is in prison because of drug related crimes. I received a letter today saying that he now understands my side of his addiction. We have read both books (Beautiful Boy and Tweak)by father and son and have new insight and understanding for what we have BOTH been through. I hope to pass these books along to other family members and hope they gain some insight for what we have been through and can be more generous in their support for both of us. Thank you so much Sheff's for your bearing of soul. It has helped me and my son to grow closer.
2008-07-21 - Awakening to Reality
I have never been moved by a book to actually take the time to write a review before. This book is not only well written but it is also a rude awakening to reality that we as parents do the best that we can but still could lose the battle. I have read a few of the negative reviews and I think that people are missing the point that Mr Sheff is simply writing to explain what it is like for families and parents. He does not glorify the events but recounts them with heartbreaking truth. There are parts of the book that may slow it down a touch but overall it is powerful and makes a point. Looking at the book you can see the mistakes that were made by David while raising Nic, but what parent doesn't make mistakes or have regrets. This book is truly an awakening to reality for me that any of our children are at risk and we all need to recognize that and take even the small signs to heart.
2008-07-17 - A different perspective
While I thought the father's view of addiction on the family was interesting, there really isn't much to the book. The story probably should have remained the in the magazine-length format.
Two things did disturb me:
1. Mr. Sheff hides the son's addiction from the step-siblings until they are past the age when Nic started to use drugs. Don't hide your head in the sand a second time!
2. Mr. Sheff allows his son to travel to Europe and attend college out of state when he knows of Nic's drug problems. While it is impossible to control your child's actions, it would seem prudent to provide additional guidance when you know it is needed.
2008-07-17 - Says what a parent feels
David Sheff has chronicled his son's addictive lifestyle as well as his reactions to discovering the problem through his detachment with love. He describes well the emotions a parent experiences as they best try to help and step away from enabling at the same time and how that experience leaves you feeling.
2008-07-16 - Amazing
This book was unbelievable. It was "SPOT" on to what we have been dealing with, with our son for the past 8 yrs. He is an alcoholic and fortunately, as far as I know not addicted to hard core drugs.
We have had several bouts of rehab, jail, etc. He is still struggling. He is now 22 yrs old. It was a sad on one hand and a relief on the other to know that addiction affects families the same, no matter what the addiction is.
Hitting bottom is the key, but what does it take to do that? I keep praying that our son will live long enough to hit bottom and turn himself around. It's a matter of time before we kick him out of the house for the 4th time.
I've been watching "intervention" on A&E which also shows the same details as in this book. I've contemplated turning him into this show. The other day he talked about drinking 19 beers and a bottle of whiskey in one night.....he weighs in at 148lbs and is 6' 2"!!!
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2008-07-23 - Beautiful Boy
2008-07-17 - A different perspective
