Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines
by Nic Sheff
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Book Reviews of Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines
Book Review: Fascinating trip down a very dark street
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book after reading "Beautiful Boy" and was eager to see what the other side of the story looked like. What Nic was experiencing was even more dreadful than his father imagined. Unlike other reviewers, I think Nic offers some insights, maybe tentative ones, into why he becomes an addict. As a former high school teacher and the teacher of a college class in young adult literature, I have to comment on the publication of this book by a young readers press. The book if legitimately and accurately full of drugs, sex, and very graphic language. I would suggest that school librarians be especially cautious before shelving this title. I defend the right of students to read this book and I think a lot will find this book interesting, but I am not sure it is written for them. I agree with other reviewers that the liveliest writing is in the drug use section. What more mature readers may see as appaling, younger readers might view as intriguing and inviting. As others have noted, Nic does seem to come out all right in the end. It may be a real challenge to make rehab as interesting as life on the street. I think this book would provide one valuable perspective for anyone who has to deal with those who are in the grips of addiction.Book Review: Great Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read "Beautiful Boy" prior to reading "Tweak" and thought that it brought everything full circle. This book gave an honest and (sometimes) horrific view of the cycle of addiction and the depths of depravity one could find themselves having to sink to; all in the name of the next high.
I found myself cheering for him when he was clean and sober and cringing when I knew that the devil was knocking at his door (again).
I think that he should be applauded for being so open and honest about who he is, what he's done, and how...because ultimately he is letting people into his life and opening himself up to judgement, criticism and scorn from others...all of which he has seemed to struggle with throughout his life but is still willing to confront head on for the sake of helping someone else.
I also think that this book is a great lesson to parents everywhere to teach your children more about drug use and to listen and look for signs of loneliness, isolation and inadequacy. It seems as though Nic was crying out for help long before he got it.
I loved this book for it's raw truth, and hope that he continues to build on loving himself first, now, and always.
Book Review: Nic , You Are A Beautiful Boy
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read both "Beautiful Boy" and "Tweak", I must say these are two of the best books I have ever read. I think every parent should read these books. I have learned so much about the addiction, I understand things I never did before about my own son who for the last 2 yrs. has been addicted to meth, he was 14 when he started using and is now 16, he has been in rehab now for the past 6 mos. Nic's book has helped me understand what my son is going through, Thank you Nic for your honesty I admire you so much for writing this book , I know it was hard to admit to all you went through, but you never gave up on wanting to get straight. I have seen my son fighting some of the same battles as you have, trying so hard to be forgiven for the things he has done the horrible guilt the thousand of tears he has cried and the thousand I have cried and you and your parents cried. I believe this book will save many lives even kids like mine and I thank you and your father for pouring your hearts out in these books. I believe Spencer was right about the higher power being God and I believe God is using you to save lives, you know he works in mysterious ways. You are a beautiful boy! God bless you and your family.Book Review: I can't do it
Summary: 2 Stars
I read David Sheff's Beautiful Boy and wept. The thought of paying money to Nic Sheff for his side of the same story is a great struggle. The problem is that if children who have not yet tried drugs hear this (and other similar) stories, what will they make of it? People who overcome their addictions fail to make the point of the horrible damage drug/alcohol abuse causes. A child will weigh the possibilities and see someone like Nic who has emerged a published author, and therefore, an addict who can function and earn a decent living. The question then becomes, "If Nic Sheff (or other addicts in the limelight) can do drugs and still have a good life, why shouldn't kids or young adults try drugs? It would be phenomenal if Nic Sheff didn't spend his earnings from this book on drugs. It would be beautiful if Nic Sheff lived the rest of his life clean and productive and happy. I wish this for his family. But I just can not know that I have given him a penny toward possible further abuse and pain inflicted on himself or the people who love him.
I get that this is just a guy telling his story to anyone who may be intersted. And, I am interested. But I just can't do it.
Book Review: Weak and Pathetic!
Summary: 1 Stars
This is the companion volume to David Sheff's "Beautiful Boy" - the story of Nic's addiction to drugs from a father's point of view.
"Tweak" tells Nic Sheff's four-year+ story of digging through trash cans, gay sex, stealing from relatives, friends, and fellow students, finding himself in E.R.s and dingy, trash, and vermin-infested rooms, working with a father-son dealer pair - over and over and over, in pursuit of drug highs. All this while rejecting loving parents and a privileged lifestyle, bouncing out of two respected colleges, and ruining his life, as well as those of his parents.
Nic accepts no responsibility for his actions, no great commitment to break from drugs - in fact he ends up in the drug underworld everywhere he goes, including Paris, and little regret for the pain he causes others. The book is endlessly repetitive - non-stop drug binges, and offers no lessons for others.
Nic ends up in Savannah, continuing to live off others while hopefully putting his life back together "working" as an art model. I wouldn't bet a dime on his success, though, of course, I do hope he succeeds.