True to form, Beautfiul Boy by David Sheff is a dark and depressing book (see post below.) I didn't think it would be wise to make such a radical change to my literary system as to pick a book that was light and airy. Well, I didn't disappoint myself with this book.
Again, this book is extremely well-written but it is firmly on the side of depressing. David Sheff introduces us to his son, NIc, who is brilliant, funny, thoughtful and just a great kid. This boy has so much potential to be all that he can be and so much more. As it turns out, Nic becomes a drug addict as an adult. Beautiful Boy takes us on Mr. Sheff's journey as he tries to save his son from the ravages of drugs and alcohol. This journey is a rollercoaster ride of continual recovery and relapse. I found myself, towards the end of the book, getting a bit weary of Nic's relapses. I can only imagine how those in Nic's life endured it all.
Sheff examines what the causes might have been for Nic's drug use, as well as, what he could have done differently. But with all 'shoulda, woulda, coulda's' they don't matter because you do what you know when you are in the middle of that particular situation. The book ends with a year of Nic's recovery. This is not a happy ending because, due to Nic's previous history, you aren't sure whether this is going to stick. Welcome to David Sheff's world.
Next book: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan.