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I want to make a difference. My hope is that someone will be able to use what we learned, and save a life with it. By nineteen, he was dead. Nick rocketed through life like a shooting star. Signs of his illness were subtle, often paradoxical. He spoke in full sentences at age one. He was a brilliant, charming child who never slept. And at first, even his mother explained away his quicksilver moods. Nick always marched to a different drummer. His gift for writing was extraordinary, his musical talent promised a golden future. But by the time he entered junior high, Danielle Steel saw her beloved son hurtling toward disaster and tried desperately to get Nick the help he needed—the opening salvos of what would become a ferocious pitched battle for his life.
He bared his soul in his journal with uncanny insight, in searing prose, poetry, and song. When he was finally diagnosed and treated, it bought time, but too little. In the end, perhaps nothing could have saved him from the insidious disease that had shadowed him from his earliest years. We come away with a heightened sensitivity that perhaps only a writer of this distinction could convey, of what it is like to try to cope with a child with a severe psychiatric disorder….
This is a book about what we can do—as parents, as physicians, as human beings. His Bright Light will make a difference for countless others. Buy the Audiobook Download: Apple Audible downpour eMusic audiobooks. Add to Cart Add to Cart. About His Bright Light "This is the story of an extraordinary boy with a brilliant mind, a heart of gold, and a tortured soul. Also by Danielle Steel. At least it was for me. I had started reading after a gap and I hated that I started off with it. But now looking back, I think it was definitely a good book.
The way Danielle Steel takes us through the rollercoaster ride of bringing up a son like Nicholas Traina was fabulous.
Only a mother who brought up a person like him could write such a moving tale. However I hated that since she had money as celebrity, Nick had a lot of access to t This was one of the kinds of books you both love and hate. However I hated that since she had money as celebrity, Nick had a lot of access to things that were so damaging to his bipolar disorder. I also hated that even though she had suspicions about his mental health and knew that he used to write a journal, she tried to respect his right to privacy. I just could not understand her. Maybe if she had read his journals she would have got a better idea of his mental state and probably started his medications early.
Even the doctors in those era were handicapped in a lot of ways and would have given their diagnosis much earlier. But these are merely my buts and ifs, the reality in all possibilities would have been scary.
It took great courage not to give up on him. However, towards the end I felt Danielle was justifying what she did and why she did so. But on the whole, it is a must read if you want to know about this condition. Nicholas's journals tell you a lot. Oct 14, Sheree rated it it was amazing Shelves: Daniel Steele's hopes in writing about her son's life-long struggle with the condition 'manic depression' now known as Bipolar Disorder are expressed in her quote - "I want to share the story, and the pain, the courage, the love, and what I learned in living through it. I want Nick's life to be not only a tender memory for us, but a gift to others I would like to offer people hope and the realities we lived with.
I want to make a difference. My hope is that someone will be able to use what we l Daniel Steele's hopes in writing about her son's life-long struggle with the condition 'manic depression' now known as Bipolar Disorder are expressed in her quote - "I want to share the story, and the pain, the courage, the love, and what I learned in living through it. My hope is that someone will be able to use what we learned and save a life with it.
Danielle opens the door and her heart and with honesty and courage reveals Nick's gifts and troubles during childhood, as a teen, and during his aspiring career as a musician with band Link 80 through to his suicide at age The most frightening aspect of the book was the realisation of a mother's inability to save her son, even with all the resources available to her.
The reviewers who say this book is repetitive and melodramatic have obviously never lived with someone with mental illness or taken the harrowing journey to gain a diagnosis. Apr 17, Lauren Marie rated it it was amazing. Second time around, it's been years since I read this touching, inspiring, yet tragic story.
It not only tells the story of Danielle Steel's son but also sheds light on bipolar disorder in so far as at what age can you diagnosis and medication treatments available. It shows both sides of the mental health community- the good and the bad. All the money and access to treatment her son had and we, as a society, wonder why there are so many less fortunate people struggling and suffering with mediocr Second time around, it's been years since I read this touching, inspiring, yet tragic story.
All the money and access to treatment her son had and we, as a society, wonder why there are so many less fortunate people struggling and suffering with mediocre mental health care. This book will make you both laugh and cry, but never mocks the seriousness and also fatal nature of mental illness; in this case, manic depression bipolar disorder. Highly recommend for anyone suffering or loved ones who want to learn more and ways to help.
I was never a DS fan, in fact I never read one of her books until this one and its written with love, compassion and honesty. She is an amazing mother, fought with all she had and never gave up on her son. She exemplifies what a real mother is all about. This book is life changing, read it and pass it along This is not my usual reading matter, and though the book is affecting, showing the impossible difficulties involved in raising a bipolar son, and the impossible difficulties of being a bipolar teenager, the story is read through his Mum's lens, and Danielle Steel seems to be as much, if not more concerned with describe the special love between her and her son.
I don't think that their love for each other was any greater or lesser than most mother-son bonds, and the continual stressing of how dee This is not my usual reading matter, and though the book is affecting, showing the impossible difficulties involved in raising a bipolar son, and the impossible difficulties of being a bipolar teenager, the story is read through his Mum's lens, and Danielle Steel seems to be as much, if not more concerned with describe the special love between her and her son. I don't think that their love for each other was any greater or lesser than most mother-son bonds, and the continual stressing of how deep that love was did nothing other than cause me to wonder why she felt the need to reiterate that at such length.
A Beautiful Tribute This memoir is a tribute of Danielle Steele's son Nick who lived a full life, but was plagued with a brain disorder called bi-polar. I learned a great deal from his experiences, which I am grateful. As much as I can appreciate Danielle Steele's writing, her memoir chronicling her son's life contained too much detail.
Thus, it dragged at certain points, and was taxing to read at times. Libro bastante crudo en cuanto tratar con un adolescente que sufre de bipolaridad. Jul 24, Pilar rated it really liked it. His Bright Light was written as a tribute to Danielle Steel's son, Nick Traina who was born with bi-polar disorder and committed suicide at the age of nineteen. The failures and the successes, the ups and downs, the sadness and the joy. It was heart wrenching and difficult for me to read. I had to put it book down a couple of times, because I felt bad His Bright Light was written as a tribute to Danielle Steel's son, Nick Traina who was born with bi-polar disorder and committed suicide at the age of nineteen.
I had to put it book down a couple of times, because I felt bad for Nick and all he suffered, as well as Danielle Steel and her family. Mental illness is real and it not only effects the person who is suffering from it, but it also impacts everyone else around them. At that time, there wasn't as much information regarding treating bi-polar disorder, otherwise known as manic depression as there is now.
Although I'm grateful to see there have been strides in the medical field, there is still more to be uncovered and revealed regarding brain disorders. I get into more detail about my thoughts in my vlog review: Mar 12, Stephanie Payan rated it liked it. I'm really torn on how to review this book. I read it because as an author I love Danielle Steel. Also, the battle that her son had with being bipolar, manic-depressive hits very close to home with me.
I hoped to read this and grab insight, and see how she handled the battle and struggles that are "bipolar lows". I'm not sure that it did that, but I was touched by her journey. It was a very touching story of unconditional love.
You see, bipolars don't want to take their meds but, since their body needs the meds, they're drawn to cocaine or pain pills or heroin. Your subscription to Read More was successful. She is fascinated by the pressing life situations that affect us all, how people handle them and are often transformed as a result. Very heart wrenching and touching, but very well worth the read if you are touched by someone who suffers from mental disorders bipolar, depression, If you are a fan of Steel then this will be worth it but for fans of tragic life stories, you may want to go elsewhere for something to pull at your heartstrings. Paperback , pages. Nick rocketed through life like a shooting star.
She loved her son for every second of his life regardless of what he I'm really torn on how to review this book. She loved her son for every second of his life regardless of what he did and what condition he was in. She gave him everything imaginable. For a normal person that wouldn't be financially possible to do what she did for her son. I have no doubt that if I were in her position I would do everything in my power to help him, but I would never be able to afford the extended resources she had.
I loved her detail of his life and how regardless of how it seemed on the outside she would always explain the positive of his soul and spirit and be optimistic. This review is rambling - but that's how I felt parts of this story were. They were all true events, feelings and reactions but I felt at times she was repetitive.
I feel like this is a story I can't judge or critique because it was so traumatic I can't fathom going through it myself - then having to relive it while writing this book would be devastating all over again. I give her so much credit for having the strength to tell this story and share it with the world.
It took me extra time to read the last two chapters because I couldn't stop crying. If nothing else this story reminded me to love him more unconditionally and make sure he knows it always. What could have been a beautiful and moving book was ruinned slightly by Danielle's waffling. This is the third book I've read by her and I'm seeing a pattern. The stories she tells are interesting she just ends up making them less so by repeating herself. I'm not sure why she does this?
To make the book longer? Because she thinks the reader is stupid and unable to remember something she told them a couple of pages ago? I have loads of books by her on my tbr list and I hope they are not all like What could have been a beautiful and moving book was ruinned slightly by Danielle's waffling. I have loads of books by her on my tbr list and I hope they are not all like this! This is the story of Danielle's son, Nick. Who tragically killed himself when he was I think this book was a way for Danielle to work though her grief, she obviously loved him very much and did everything she could to help him.
I had to keep pushing myself to read this, for the reasons listed above, there are only so many times I can be told how amazing and bright Nick was. He seemed to fit alot into his short life and I enjoyed reading about his rise to fame with his band. There were some poems in the book, I didn't like the ones written by Nick but the ones written by Danielle are beautiful.
The chapter written after Nick's death was the most page turning and sad. She stops repeating herself here and just tells what seems to be a really honest and heartbreaking account of events. I was reading this in the staff canteen at work and it was a struggle not to cry. If you are a fan of Steel then this will be worth it but for fans of tragic life stories, you may want to go elsewhere for something to pull at your heartstrings.
And it always makes me feel really mean when I've not "enjoyed" books like this but thats just how I feel about it. Oct 24, Ghizlane Eddiba rated it it was amazing. Danielle Steel, the famous writer, speaks in this book about the story of her son Nick. Since his early age, Nick was seen as a bright, talented and charming child. His gift for writing was astonishing for a child his age, his musical talent was extraordinary, his social intelligence was at its top level, but the time he started the junior school, some alarming signs were seen in this extraordinary child, like not being able to sleep, having depression, panicking during social events, not being Danielle Steel, the famous writer, speaks in this book about the story of her son Nick.
His gift for writing was astonishing for a child his age, his musical talent was extraordinary, his social intelligence was at its top level, but the time he started the junior school, some alarming signs were seen in this extraordinary child, like not being able to sleep, having depression, panicking during social events, not being able to handle minor stressful situations and committing suicide attempts several times.
After struggling with doctors, hospitals, therapists, his mother got finally a diagnosis, explaining his disease as being a manic depression. His mother did her best of efforts to help him, but whenever he grows up his disease became more dangerous and incontrollable, his last attempt of suicide was successful This book is an alarming sign for everyone suffering from depression, it warns everyone to take the symptoms seriously, to get the right diagnosis at the early age, and to get the right doses of medication in the right time, no one is excluded even kids could suffer from this disease.
Oct 28, Jen rated it really liked it. Very moving, interesting book: I used to read DS when I was in late H. But I loved this book, which is nonfiction. I wish DS had included the journals from his last years, as I think they would have been very telling. After reading it, I feel a soft sp Very moving, interesting book: After reading it, I feel a soft spot in my heart for Nick and wish I had met him. My heart goes out to all families dealing with problems like this. Unfortunately, most families don't have the resources DS does to get diagnoses and find help.
Mar 10, Sophie rated it liked it. I'm not sure how to feel about this book. It was interesting, but I felt she wanted to explain her mistakes, to gain redemption. It is hard to have anyone you love with mental illness. But pushing him this hard, conjuring the feeling in him that "I'm not healthy", isn't a good way. Not one calm moment, no wonder he was frustrated.
There is always a chance to commit suicide, mental illness is hard to bear. But there are more gentle ways, with a calm environment, some relief will come. He was a gre I'm not sure how to feel about this book. He was a great guy, I feel so sorry to lose such person. He was talented and intelligent. I'm sure he would be a great writer or poet. Danielle Steel's battles to get her son properly diagnosed and then her descriptions of the difficulties of everyday life reverberate loudly with my own experience. The unwritten messages I received from this book are: Don't give up fighting for your loved one.
Don't lose sight of who they really are. Keep on encouraging and supporting them no matter what they say or do. Try and develop a network of true friends around everyone. I stumbled across this book by chance. Nov 19, Jill Robbertze rated it liked it. I have very mixed feelings about this book. I'm deeply sorry for what happened to Nick and for D.
S and her family's loss but I couldn't help suspecting that drug abuse played a bigger part than what was described in the story. I do think Nick's whole situation was very unique due to the family background, being brought up very spoiled, having so many siblings, having a famous and busy mother. Although interesting, I also found this a somewhat tedious read due to too much repetition. Oct 04, Diane rated it it was ok.
This book started out interesting to me, finding it amazing that not too long ago, Danielle Steele had such a hard time trying to get her son, Nick, diagnosed with manic depression, but as the book kept going, it became harder to read, as I felt she was trying to convince herself that she was a good mother. There is no doubt that she went through a lot to try to get the best care for her son.
Sep 19, Rachel rated it liked it. Tragic, truly truly tragic. To be honest I fell in love with the smiling face on the cover so I read it not knowing who he was or what the book was about. Turns out it is a biography written by Danielle Steele about the life and death of her son, Nick Traina, who was an amazing and unique person, but he suffered from bipolar disorder and ultimately died from an overdose.
Jan 07, Kim rated it it was amazing. Though there is some hard language in here and the topics of suicide and manic depression are tough to read about, this story is real. The struggles are real. The disease is a killer and the cure unfound still. I loved this mother's perspective. I also envied her the resources and support people she had in feeling with this child. What some of us wouldn't give for those resources! Jan 08, Kimbox rated it it was amazing. Wonderful book, very good explanation of bipolar and how it manifest itself.
Very heart wrenching and touching, but very well worth the read if you are touched by someone who suffers from mental disorders bipolar, depression, Mar 30, Karen Miller rated it it was amazing. Anyone who has ever struggled with a child dealing with depression will be able to relate to this nonfiction account.
Anyone who wants to understand what it is like to struggle with a child who is dealing with depression should read this book. It is informative, sensitive and well written. His Bright Light 1 7 Dec 29, The Story of Nick Traina 1 5 Nov 20, Steel has been a permanent fixture on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. In , she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having at least one of her books on the Times bestseller list for consecutive weeks.
But Guinness was premature. The fact is that one or more of Ms. Steel's novels have been on the New York Times bestseller list for over consecutive weeks.