Amber M. (amber681) reviewed on 9/15/2012 + 4 more book reviews

This book is unlike any other Danielle Steele novel you will ever read. It is the true story of her son Nick and his battle with manic depression and drug addiction. At that time many people, even doctors didn't know how to deal with the ups and downs of a person suffering from Bi Polar disorder. There is so much compassion, love, sadness and even regret in every word she writes about her Nick.It's like being on a roller coaster ride of emotions never knowing whether they may have found help with this treatment or not. Danielle gives you a very detailed and vivid account of the struggles her family, friends, and doctors went through to try and save Nick.Sometimes she tends to give to much detail and it does take away from who the story is truly about, but At times it is almost to painful to read. You can feel her heart breaking along with your own each time a new treatment fails. Yet at the same time she will have you laughing at the good times when he's playing with his band or just how funny and impulsive Nick could be . She does an excellent job in describing Nick's personality and illness. even adding his own poetry to the book to help you better understand what a beautiful, creative, but disturbed mind he had. By the end of the book I felt like I knew him and was by his side through the entire journey.
Even after knowing how Nick's life ends, there are so many times in the book that I find myself applauding him for his triumphs and rooting for him to continue to make progress. Although like most of us who suffer from this illness he always resorts back to self medicating.
I recommend this book to anyone suffering or has a family member suffering from mental illness. This book helped me and my family understand more about my own illness than any doctor ever could. At one point she says she hopes that someone can use what they have learned through Nick's journey and save a life with it. I personally know that her hope has been fullfilled. It saved mine.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details