Beautiful Boy

by David Sheff
Beautiful Boy cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1841
  • Added: 2025-10-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781471173967
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2018-01-11
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Beautiful Boy is a deeply personal and candid memoir by David Sheff, chronicling his son Nic's struggle with crystal meth addiction. The book offers a raw and unflinching look at the devastating impact of substance abuse on a family, from the early warning signs to the desperate search for treatment and the slow path to recovery. Sheff's journalistic instincts drive him to explore every possible avenue of help, while his love for his son fuels his relentless pursuit of a solution. This memoir is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between a parent and child. It provides a unique perspective on addiction, told from the parent's point of view, and offers hope and insight for those facing similar challenges. Beautiful Boy is not just a story about addiction; it is a story about love, hope, and the enduring power of family.

Reviews
The Alley Cat 7 · 2025-08-18
heartbreaking 4.50

The book is a poignant exploration of a father's love and despair as his son battles addiction. It offers a raw and unfiltered look at the emotional turmoil of addiction.

The reviewer found the book to be a deeply moving account of a father's journey through his son's addiction. They appreciated the raw and honest portrayal of the emotional rollercoaster that comes with watching a loved one struggle with substance abuse. The reviewer noted that the book does not shy away from the harsh realities of addiction, making it a powerful read for anyone who has experienced similar challenges. They also highlighted the author's ability to convey the complexity of addiction and the impact it has on both the individual and their family.

Quick quotes

    Beautiful Boy is the heartbreaking account of a father watching his son battle addiction.

    David Sheff, a journalist, saw his son Nic as being ...

    The book is a fiercely candid memoir that brings immediacy to the emotional rollercoaster of loving a child who seems beyond help.

Cannonball Read · Marcella · 2024-11-20
heartfelt 4.00

The book is a heartfelt and powerful account of a father's journey through his son's addiction. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of addiction.

Marcella loved this book and found it to be a heartfelt and powerful account of a father's journey through his son's addiction. They appreciated the raw and honest portrayal of the emotional turmoil that comes with watching a loved one struggle with substance abuse. Marcella noted that the book offers a unique perspective on addiction, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced by both the individual and their family. They also highlighted the author's ability to convey the complexity of addiction in a way that is both compelling and relatable.

Quick quotes

    I loved this book.

    The book is written by the father of Nic, who goes through drug addiction.

    It recounts the events ...

The New York Times · 2008-02-21
insightful 3.50

The book provides insightful and sometimes clichéd but accurate insights into addiction. It offers a succinct and powerful narrative about the struggles of addiction.

The reviewer noted that while some insights into addiction might seem clichéd, they are also accurate and resonate deeply. They appreciated the book's ability to illustrate the complexities of addiction in a way that is both succinct and powerful. The reviewer also highlighted the emotional depth of the narrative, which provides a raw and unfiltered look at the impact of addiction on a family. They found the book to be a compelling read that offers valuable insights into the challenges of addiction.

Quick quotes

    "Beautiful Boy" does illustrate how the most clichéd insights into addiction can also be the most accurate.

    Nothing here is more succinct than ...

    The book provides a raw and unfiltered look at the impact of addiction on a family.

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