Kathleen B. (katiebaldwin) reviewed Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: A Memoir on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
incredible, honest memoir. i give bill credit for being so open with his experience. with out a doubt, he's brought awareness to a horrible disease! the book brings you back and forth from his childhood to present day. it helps you understand the history behind some of what he's dealing with. must read!
Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) -
Helpful Score: 1
Reading this book was like being on a runaway train that you know is going to crash. Like seeing a tornado heading your way and not being able to get out of its path. His writing was so deep it had my mind on overdrive.
I got sucked into his story from the very first chapter. I was headed down this path at one time so I can understand the allure of crack, the rush of that first hit, the need to chase it, the horrible craving and searching for more ,not caring how I looked or acted, not caring who I hurt. It was hard to read because for me it brought back all those horrible feelings that I know I never want to feel again. Thankfully I saw this addiction for what it was and was able to walk away from it and where I knew it was taking me. I can understand why his family and friends stood by him through all this, that is what you do for someone you truly love and are trying to help. My sister did the same for me and I am forever grateful.
My heart went out to him, he was such a lost soul and he only hints at why. That really had me intrigued so I just kept turning the pages hoping to find the answer. He seems to be deeply troubled over a childhood problem that was left untreated.I don't believe he's out of the woods yet, but I pray and hope he is.
Some of his perceptions on life were so deep and personal for me that I actually got stuck in them and found myself reading certain paragraphs over and over while my brain was trying to process them. This was a book that made me remember some bad experiences in my life, some of his thoughts and feelings used to be mine so I truly felt a connection with him. I think this guy is a powerful writer. I'm looking forward to more of his work.
I got sucked into his story from the very first chapter. I was headed down this path at one time so I can understand the allure of crack, the rush of that first hit, the need to chase it, the horrible craving and searching for more ,not caring how I looked or acted, not caring who I hurt. It was hard to read because for me it brought back all those horrible feelings that I know I never want to feel again. Thankfully I saw this addiction for what it was and was able to walk away from it and where I knew it was taking me. I can understand why his family and friends stood by him through all this, that is what you do for someone you truly love and are trying to help. My sister did the same for me and I am forever grateful.
My heart went out to him, he was such a lost soul and he only hints at why. That really had me intrigued so I just kept turning the pages hoping to find the answer. He seems to be deeply troubled over a childhood problem that was left untreated.I don't believe he's out of the woods yet, but I pray and hope he is.
Some of his perceptions on life were so deep and personal for me that I actually got stuck in them and found myself reading certain paragraphs over and over while my brain was trying to process them. This was a book that made me remember some bad experiences in my life, some of his thoughts and feelings used to be mine so I truly felt a connection with him. I think this guy is a powerful writer. I'm looking forward to more of his work.
