For the past several years, Sheff has been coping with his now 27 year old son Nic's addiction to meth. "Beautiful Boy" chronicles Nic's life from when he was a baby until the present, highlighting the events Sheff believes led up to his addiction. Sheff reflects on the emotions that came with dealing with such a disease - He treks backwards through Nic's life, finding blame in his own divorce and previous drug use, as well as his ability as a parent. Sheff struggles to accept the disease as something that has always been beyond his control and to see Nic as an addict - someone he may never be able to trust, but will always love. What makes this book so interesting and different from other books about the subject is the unique view of a parent. Sheff makes remarks that I have heard all my life from my own mother - He would do anything for Nic, and only hopes that someday he will have a successful job, a comfortable life, and a loving partner. Most parents could probably relate to Sheff's book. Though it technically chronicles the story of an addict, it is really tells the story of a parent's love for his child.
Nic recently released his own story, "Tweak", around the same time his father's book was being re-released. I was interested enough in "Beautiful Boy" to go out and buy "Tweak" as well. It was marketed as a young adult novel, and I can definitely see why. The book is typical for the genre and the writing style is immature. In "Beautiful Boy", Sheff claims that Nic loved writers such as Bukowski and Fitzgerald, and insinuates that Nic, in his addiction, is attempting to imitate their debacuhery. This assertion provers correct in "Tweak" - Nic may be trying to be the next Bukowski in his writing.
Nic's book being released in the same month as his fathers got me thinking that the whole thing is kind of a marketing scam. Obviously, publishers and booksellers are wanting the customer to buy both the books as a package deal. That might explain why they are displayed next to each other at Borders. Frankly, I find it a little disheartening. Sheff's book was good. His son's was not.
"Beautiful Boy" sounds really good. You explained well about the content of this book --- the son who is addicted to meth and the love of the father. It made me feel i wanna read this book.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as you said, when I read the paragraph that talks about his son's book, I felt like it might be written for marketing or the business. I mean maybe he didn't write for the company, but ovbiously the company re-release his father's book at the same time as the release of the son's book, so company intended to sell both books. Also, you said that Borders display these books next to each other.
But it reminds me of what Ellen said in class on the first day. She said that there are many wirters who are very talented but some aren't famous or not suceed because of their lack of knowledge about the business or selling thier books.
It is not for only writers, everything is related to the marketing, including fashion, art, food, etc. The quality or talent come to second. Always the first important thing is how they market and become famous to sell their stuff.
personaly, i don't like this system, but if i wanna continue what i wanna do, i have to know the knoeledge of the marketing and the business to sell my stuff or become famous.
Thus, it is an interesting example how marketing relate to two writers who are a father and a son.
Good observation^^