The #1 New York Times best-selling story of addiction and a father’s love: “A brilliant, harrowing, heartbreaking, fascinating story, full of beautiful moments and hard-won wisdom. This book will save a lot of lives and heal a lot of hearts.”—Anne Lamott
Now a Major Motion Picture Starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet.
What had happened to my beautiful boy? To our family? What did I do wrong? Those are the wrenching questions that haunted every moment of David Sheff’s journey through his son’s drug addiction. David’s story is a first: a teenager’s addiction from the parent’s point of view—a real-time chronicle of the shocking descent into substance abuse and the gradual emergence into hope.
Before meth, Sheff’s son, Nic, was a varsity athlete, honor student, and award-winning journalist. After meth, he was a trembling wraith who lied, stole money from his eight-year-old brother, and lived on the streets. With poignant candor, Sheff traces the first warning signs—denial, 3 a.m. phone calls—the attempts at rehabilitation, and, at last, the way past addiction. He shows us that, whatever an addict’s fate, the rest of the family must care for one another too, lest they become addicted to addiction.
Beautiful Boy is a fiercely candid memoir that brings immediacy to the emotional rollercoaster of loving a child who seems beyond help.
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"A father's story of his son's addiction to meth. A different angle because it really tells the other side, that of the family. Told in chronological order without a spoiler...so just when you think... Also kind of a scary read for a parent - you can appear to do everything right, but some things are just out of your control."
— Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)
“This book will save a lot of lives and heal a lot of hearts.”
— Anne Lamott, New York Times bestselling author“Affecting…Rich with topical research and personal revelation.”
— Los Angeles Times“[A] frightened, beautiful memoir.”
— San Francisco Chronicle“Sheff’s intense memoir is hard to put down…A must-read for, at the least, anyone in similar straits.”
— Booklist (starred review)“This is an honest, hopeful book, coming at a propitious moment in the meth epidemic.”
— Publishers Weekly“[A] moving, heartbreaking account…Anthony Heald does an excellent job with the reading, his voice and intonation conveying the pain and discouragement Sheff must have felt over his son’s condition.”
— School Library Journal“Sheff writes with amazing candor…Anthony Heald narrates, poignantly capturing Sheff’s highs and lows. Powerful, engaging, instructive.”
— BookPage (audio review)“[A] powerful and sorrowful story…[Heald’s] narration is exciting and engaging.”
— AudioFile“Those of us who love an addict—or are addicts ourselves—will find Beautiful Boy a revelation. David Sheff knows all too well what must be endured with faith, and his extraordinary book describes it better than anything else I’ve read. While painfully candid, Beautiful Boy is equally optimistic and powerful.”
— Martin Sheen, actor" Holy. What an ordeal. I learned so much from this book, and felt heartbreak and triumph all at once. A very powerful read. "
— Christine, 2/11/2014" A difficult, compelling, and wrenching journey. "
— Jen, 2/6/2014" This should really get 3.5 stars. It's a wonderfully well written account of a horrible situation, and a father's powerlessness to stop the downward spiral he sees his son going through. I think I was gripped initially by the book, but as time went on, I started to shut down, much the way some of the characters in the book shut down against Nic's drug use. I think that emotion is what keeps me from giving it a higher review. But I am very curious to read Nic's book Tweak now. "
— Deepa, 2/3/2014" got to see more of the family's side of what it is like to go through this...can't imagine... I see the patient's side at work... I liked the book, good information at times (not too much). I skimmed a lot, though - I felt like the author wrote too much about his daily life and life w/his other kids - when I wanted more focus on the substance dependence parts - but still thought it was a good book and would recommend it. "
— Shelly, 2/1/2014" Whether you have or haven't had the experience of watching or knowing another go through the addiction of drug/alcohol. It's a honest revelation & sad, but optimistic. "
— Riley, 1/29/2014" I can't say that I "enjoyed" this book - but as a parent I am glad that I read it and that the author shared his journey. "
— Kim, 1/23/2014" Non-fiction. Awesome story but very sad. His son Nic becomes addicted to meth. Tells how he tries to help him - he's in and out of rehab. Meth is the worst drug to be addicted to. He's sober for 1 yr at end of book. "
— Sue, 1/17/2014" Powerful and validating to those who have loved an addict. "
— Kati, 1/7/2014" This is one of those books that I found myself thinking about even when I wasn't reading it. It is completely heartwrenching, especially if you have ever cared for someone who has suffered with addiction. It does carry a hopeful tone as well. *Disclaimer--this book does have some language in it. "
— Alice, 12/30/2013" So moving-devastating. Takeaway:never try crystal meth, anyone. "
— Susan, 12/8/2013" I love how honest he is over his every reaction and thought to his sons addiction. If anyone close to you has had a drug addiction you will relate to his words and experiences. "
— Jana, 12/2/2013" Heart wrenching. Father's perspective on raising a smart and promising son who becomes a meth addict. Middle section gets a bit repetitive, but it is really worthwhile. I plan to read the son's version too (Tweaked) "
— Anne, 11/16/2013" Wonderful book but heartbreaking. A real account of addiction and the common issues for family members. "
— Jocelyn, 7/4/2013" for me it was an emotionally draining read. reminded me too much of the past. "
— Candace, 2/28/2013" A story I am all too familiar with and if you have ever loved someone who fights addiction it's def worth the read. "
— Morgan, 10/13/2012" very thought provoking - "F" word used several times (mostly in direct quotes from his son) "
— Tamra, 9/13/2012" Pair with Carrie Arcos's Out of Reach for readers who want a memoir of a family dealing with a member's addiction. "
— Kelly, 9/10/2012" this father really made you feel as thogh you were living his life. it is at once sad & heartwarming. it really makes you wonder why we as a society don't do more for the addicted. The statistics are so low for staying drug free. "
— Donna, 5/14/2012" Definitely one of the greats. It's a pageturner, as you wonder what's going to happen with the author's son Nic, and it also has some fascinating insights into addiction, both scientific facts and the emotional impact of it all. Should be read by anyone with addiction in their family. "
— Julie, 3/9/2012" Very honest. "
— Susan, 1/21/2012" Must read the son's account of addiction immediately after. titled Tweak. Should be sold as a pair to see the unique perspective each gives and where the blame falls according to the writers. "
— Allyson, 11/5/2011" I listened to this book on cd in the car. It is a nicely told story, heartbreaking and insightful. "
— Dawn, 10/11/2011" This was a very good book. It definitely makes meth absolutely terrifying. I read it pretty quickly and at times had a very hard time putting it down. Most definitely recommended. "
— Nora, 10/9/2011" Much better written than his son's book, "Tweak". Very interesting if you're into the whole drug and recovery and relapse thing! I have such an odd assortment of books that I read, a lot of non-fiction for me plus kids books for my job. Makes for strange bedfellows! "
— Emma, 5/16/2011" Amazing yet incredibly sad, as is any addiction stories. How do families survive this torture?? <br/>p.s. Agree or disagree with Sheff's actions etc. I just find it hard to judge someone who is in that situation...really "
— Pat, 5/16/2011" Though I found the narration annoying and the story a bit thinly revealed, I found myself pulling for Nic's recovery and the sections on the science of Meth addiction particularly interesting. "
— MaryJohanna, 5/13/2011" I don't like to abandon books, but I could not get into this. "
— Ashley, 5/11/2011" It is very hard to read this memoir without coming away from it untouched. There is much of suffering in it--from what it feels like to be a helpless parent. A very touching book loaded with lots of cold, harsh reality. "
— Chris, 5/10/2011" Teenagers sshould read tweak, and the parents need to read Beautiful Boy. Frightening and sad. "
— Katrina, 4/26/2011" An honest and heartbreaking account of a father dealing with his son's drug and alcohol addiction. Very helpful for family members or friends struggling to understand and cope with a loved one's addiction. A powerful and emotional book. "
— Nancy, 4/19/2011" Having a teenage son made this one so hard to read but it was a must!! I was inspired by this dad and all that he tried to do for his son.. "
— Julie, 4/17/2011" An honest, though slightly self-important account of the rollercoaster of caring about an addict. "
— Saira, 4/17/2011" Absolutely fabulous, every last page of it. A must read. "
— Jen, 4/11/2011" An amazing book. Sheff's story has left a lasting and deep impression on me. "
— Kate, 4/11/2011David Sheff’s work has appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Wired, and Fortune. As a contributing editor to Playboy, he has interviewed John Lennon, the founders of Google, Gore Vidal, and others.
Anthony Heald, an Audie Award–winning narrator, has earned Tony nominations and an Obie Award for his theater work; appeared in television’s Law & Order, The X-Files, Miami Vice, and Boston Public; and starred as Dr. Frederick Chilton in the 1991 Oscar-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. He has also won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations.