Helpful Score: 6
I liked this book, but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I didn't like that we didn't get the emotional healing or really see any part of that section of the author's life. The writing felt forced at times (which, granted, I can totally see how hard it would be to talk about this), but I was left wondering "so why..." It was interesting to see how he thought back then, how he perceived his surroundings, etc etc... it just didn't delve as deep as I would have liked. A good read, though. I would absolutely tell anyone to read it. Just don't hold out for some deep reasoning behind this child's act...
Helpful Score: 3
It was OK, but somehow I thought it was missing something. Perhaps when my children are older, it will be a more chilling story. As it is, it was well written, but not my favorite memior ever.
Helpful Score: 2
A very well written account of one persons experience of a self destructive act. In this book Runyon reveiws his adolescent angst and regret in a very real way and it is powerful, near the middle it becomes repetitive and I regret that I lost interest. But then I am, admittedly, easily distratcted once it gets redundant.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was one I could not put down...
Helpful Score: 1
Painful to read at some points but it was an interesting book about recovery. I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fantastic (but extremely sad) book that was so engrossing that I couldn't put it down! I read it in about two days because I couldn't stop thinking about Brent's story. It is terrible and shocking, but ultimatly quite hopeful.
the account, written years later, of a boy who sets himself on fire and burns over 85% of his body and the rehab (both physical and psychological) that follows. i identified a lot with the boy that brent runyon was. he set himself on fire in an attempt at suicide and then, later on, couldn't remember why it was that he wanted to die. my little blurby review here does this book absolutely no justice. just read it.
Excellent book! Told by a young, emotionally troubled boy who sets himself on fire in his family home in an attempt at suicide. He lives, and this book tells of the difficult aftermath, which is full of emotional and physical pain, as he tries to recover. As a parent, this was difficult to read, but so worth it.
Excellent!!
This is an awesome autobiography - also very heartbreaking
Great book, great writing!
