David Sheff's Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction is not an easy book to read, especially when I am in the middle of fighting with my 14 year old about how she intends to spend her summer, and I certainly can't answer Sheff's question: Has he done the right things in raising his son? Give me another 15 years, and perhaps I'll have a better answer.I wouldn't read this just for fun. It was fairly boring, with its endless details about the "happy" family life. Lots of this is delusional. Sheff thinks that his son Nic is a "good kid" even when he is caught smoking marijuana when he is 12. Trusting his son was the biggest mistake, and the reason that parents should read this book. I don't trust any of my children. Love them, yes; give them some freedom, yes; but I follow them about, check out their friends, and know as much about what they are doing as I can. Hope for the best, expect the worst and all that. I don't think that Sheff was at all prepared for the worst that came.
Aside from the liberal use of the f-bomb, this book would be okay for students to read, but I don't think they would be interested. Nic has also written a book, Tweak: Growing up on Methamphetamine, that sounds far more harrowing and graphic in its depiction of addiction and the poor behavior choices that go along with it.
Ah. Great. Boring, huh? When Mr. Baker suggested it to the incoming 6th grade parents at the meeting last month, I wrote it down (and when I added it to my Amazon "wish list" -- my miles long, accessible from anywhere list of books I want to READ (not own), I discovered the son's book and added it as well).
ReplyDeleteIn any case, it's on my "to read" list, but knowing that it's a bit dry won't make it any easier.
Another book I have on my list is "Smashed," about a teenage girl's experience with drinking and partying. Unfortunately, I suspect I may be able to relate to her life. Ouch.
But that "ouch", I think, has better prepared me for my own children's teen years. I hope. At the time, it was just stupidity.