Beautiful Boy (Reprint) (Paperback) by David Sheff

About the Book

Sheff's story tells of his teenage son's addiction to meth, in this real-time chronicle of the shocking descent into substance abuse and the family's gradual emergence into hope.

Book Synopsis

#1 New York Times bestseller

Now a Major Motion Picture
Starring Steve Carell * Timothée Chalamet * Maura Tierney * and Amy Ryan

"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

"'When one of us tells the truth, he makes it easier for all of us to open our hearts to our own pain and that of others.' That's ultimately what Beautiful Boy is about: truth and healing." -- Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia

What had happened to my beautiful boy? To our family? What did I do wrong? Those are the wrenching questions that haunted David Sheff's journey through his son Nic's addiction to drugs and tentative steps toward recovery. Before Nic became addicted to crystal meth, he was a charming boy, joyous and funny, a varsity athlete and honor student adored by his two younger siblings. After meth, he was a trembling wraith who lied, stole, and lived on the streets. David Sheff traces the first warning signs: the denial, the three a.m. phone calls--is it Nic? the police? the hospital? His preoccupation with Nic became an addiction in itself. But as a journalist, he instinctively researched every treatment that might save his son. And he refused to give up on Nic.

"Filled with compelling anecdotes and important insights . . . An eye-opening memoir." -- Washington Post

Review Quotes

An honest, hopeful book, coming at a propitious moment in the meth epidemic. Publishers Weekly

An excellent book that all parents can relate to whatever their children's situation. Library Journal Starred

"Those of us who love an addict -- or are addicts ourselves -- will find BEAUTIFUL BOY a revelation. -- Martin Sheen, actor

A welcome balm to millions...who thought they were making this journey alone.-- Armistead Maupin, author of The Night Listener

This book is going to save a lot of lives, and help heal...hearts. -- Anne Lamott, author of Grace (Eventually)

"...moving, timely, and sobering. It's also startlingly beautiful. - Sir Richard Branson, chairman, Virgin Group

"An extraordinary story of pain, perseverance and hope." -- William C. Moyers, author of Broken

"...honest, reflective and deeply moving. BEAUTIFUL BOY is about: truth and healing." -- Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia

For...any one who has ever wrestled with holding on and letting go." -- Thomas Lynch, author of The Undertaking

"A masterpiece of description and feeling...immediate, informative and heartbreaking." -- Susan Cheever, author of Note Found in a Bottle