Brent Runyon's account of his attempted suicide has garnered critical accolades for its glimpse into adolescent depression and rare insight into the human condition. Fearing expulsion and parental disapproval after lighting a shirt on fire at his school, Brent goes home, soaks his bathrobe with gasoline, steps into his shower, and strikes a match. Suffering horrific burns, Brent faces a long, painful recovery-both mentally and physically. "Runyon has, perhaps, written the defining book of a new genre, one that gazes ... unflinchingly at boys on the emotional edge."-Booklist, starred review
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"This was a really amazing book. It was scary too, and made me think about whether anyone I might know is going through the same things the author was at the time. It is scary and has some graphic scenes in it though, so it definately isnt reccomened for younger readers."
— Ruby (5 out of 5 stars)
" it deals with some really messed up stuff...you should read it!!! "
— Analia, 2/18/2014" This is interesting because it is autobiographical. The frustrating part is that the reader never learns why the author set himself on fire (which I think would be the question on everybody's mind). "
— Steph, 2/14/2014" This book was one of the major works I read as a young teenager of the 8th grade. I remember how disgustingly real and raw this story was, portraying the tale of a depressed young man who lit his flesh on fire and survived. Being clinically depressed at this age--something that would continue on until the beginning of my sophomore year of highschool--I was extremely attracted to this book. It wasn't so much the book as it was the character, who seemed so close to me because I could understand why he thought the way he did, because my thinking pattern was the same. The description of his burnt flesh, etched in deep detail, sickened me and made me want to throw up several times; my mom who had glanced at this book once through DID throw up when she stumbled upon one of the more gorey detailed scenes. The fact that the man who had walked within the pages was real made me fall that much deeper into the story. It was an amazing story, and while it is not for the week stomach, it certainly did make the wheels in my head begin to turn. "
— Serenity, 2/9/2014" I found this book to be very engaging and fast paced. Great for teen boys. "
— Becky, 1/20/2014" An amazing read. What is so good about this book is that we get to see what a teen boy really feels and thinks. The book is frightening in its honesty. I was gripped from the first page and read this in one sitting. "
— Kelly, 12/13/2013" A disturbed 14 year old boy seeks to escape his miseries by dousing himself in petrol and setting fire to himself. However his survival instinct take over even though he has lost 85% of his skin. This is the diary of his recovery, sad and traumatic. "
— Bachyboy, 11/28/2013" The true story about a boy who lit himself on fire during a bout of mental illness. It follows him upto and after the event. "
— Brandi, 11/24/2013" Such a good book. Really moving and sad, but also entertaining. Who knew? "
— Kristin, 8/19/2013" A devastating, horrifying book that will make you laugh and sob all at once. It made my heart hurt. And it made me thank my lucky stars that I got through my own teenage angst unscathed. "
— Rachel, 6/2/2013" This starts with a lot of promise, but I felt that the next 100 pages totally stagnated. I realize that this is the author's retelling of these events so they are sussed up for the reader, but it made for really really boring reading. I felt that I got the gist of the book with out even finishing. "
— Robin, 4/3/2013" Shocking, true story of a failed suicide attempt that ends with 85% of Brent's eighth grade body burned. A tale of his struggle to understand and recover. Hard to read, but compelling. "
— Jendimmick, 2/22/2013" Read this a while back. It was heartbreaking and moving. "
— Tara, 11/27/2012" There were quite a few small parts in the that i didnt like but iother than that it was a great book. What makes it even more interesting is that thed book is based on a true story. "
— Moncia, 11/19/2012" It was an interesting book, but it took me a while to read because I couldn't keep myself interested. Also, it had a really abrupt ending. Overall it was ok, but it could have been better. "
— Ally, 9/21/2012" My heart broke for this kid "
— Rochelle, 8/27/2012" i cryed but it was a beautifuly true story "
— Nova, 6/2/2012" This is actually a "young adult book," but it's based on a true story and was very interesting and moving. "
— Allison, 5/28/2012" This book isn't for everyone as it goes into a bit of detail after he is in the hospital, but the fact that it's a true story pulls at you in a way I had never experienced before reading this book. "
— Brit, 11/16/2011" i absolutely LOVED this book! "
— Emily, 10/16/2011" Incredibly painful and poignant, a wonderful read. "
— Kimpy0464, 6/27/2011" Shocking, true story of a failed suicide attempt that ends with 85% of Brent's eighth grade body burned. A tale of his struggle to understand and recover. Hard to read, but compelling. "
— Jendimmick, 6/21/2011" An extraordinarily moving book about a young man trying to come to terms with depression, first with attempted suicide and then with the aftermath. I also appreciated Runyon's afterward, giving us a glimpse into the live he's living now. Excellent. "
— Sarah, 5/27/2011" Did not really enjoy being inside the head of a 13 year old boy. Never resolves his issues, so it was just lots of angst. "
— Rachael, 4/28/2011" Torturously hard read. So freaking boring and uneventful. I wouldn't reccomend it. <br/> <br/>No offense to people who burn themselves ;) "
— Colby, 4/8/2011" horrifying and fascinating. This book made me shiver and think :) "
— Elizabeth, 4/6/2011" This book was Amazing. In the beginning it is annoying becuase the boy is just a bit whiney, but then agian he is a teenage boy. after the incident the book picks up and becomes intense. "
— Morgan, 3/16/2011" This was really a amazing book. <br/>It was disturbing thou <br/>it really goes into detail about his burns. <br/>Its amazing because its a TRUE story. <br/> "
— Stephanie, 3/13/2011" Best. Book. EVER!!!!<br/>I want to meet Brent Runyon. "
— Arryn, 3/9/2011Angela Goethals is a native New Yorker who has appeared on and off Broadway in Picnic, Four Baboons Adoring the Sun, and The Good Times Are Killing Me, for which she won an Obie Award and a Drama Desk nomination. Since moving to Los Angeles with her husband, she has appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, Without a Trace, and Boston Public, with a recurring role on 24.