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74th out of 255 books
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81 voters
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His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina
"This is the story of an extraordinary boy with a brilliant mind, a heart of gold, and a tortured soul. It is the story of an illness, a fight to live, and a race against death.
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. . ...more
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. . ...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
February 25th 2009
by Delta
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I read this book many yrs ago. It is my favorite of all Daniells books. I related to everything both she and Nick were going through as i too had a son that was so similar to Nick on so many levels. It was as though she had been watching our lives unfold and wrote a book based on our lives. At the time my son was in his mid teens and I feared every day that one day I would loose him. While reading this book my heart went out to Danielle when in the end Nick took his life .. jump ahead 6 yrs ...more
I read this book because of my own bipolar daughter. She's also been suicidal several times, but she'll soon die anyway from hepatitis C or liver cancer. 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. I say hep C or liver cancer because people who do drugs lie and lie and manipulate and manipulate, but I can see her dying before my eyes. I have to wonder what help I could have given her had I possessed Danie...more
This is my favorite Danielle Steel book. Yes, it is partly because I share her experience of parenting a child with mental illness (though Nick had childhood-onset bipolar disorder and my Ben has schizophrenia which began to appear gradually in his mid-teens) - but, this common thread aside, I couldn't help but applaud Steel's candor and courage in sharing her experiences with the world.
Her Nick is vibrant, charming, brilliant - and troubled. Steel struggles to understand, especially i...more
Her Nick is vibrant, charming, brilliant - and troubled. Steel struggles to understand, especially i...more
Having a child with Bipolar disorder and suffering from it myself I can only say that Danielle Steel is not only and amazing writer in my opinion but a damn good mother! To have lived through the trials and tribulations of Nick's precious short life, to fight to help him win and only lose him in the end must have been more then hell. I can only imagine what this woman went through.
From the other perspective though, Nick's as it is told by Danielle Steel, wow she really did understand.
...more
From the other perspective though, Nick's as it is told by Danielle Steel, wow she really did understand.
...more
This was a heartbreaking book. As a mother of a bipolar son, it was a difficult read. After reading part way through the first chapter, I tossed the book across the room and couldn't pick it up again for months. I was frustrated with the mom's lack of education about bipolar illness and the many freedoms her money allowed him to gain access to without proper supervision. Ultimately, Nick was bent on a path of self-destruction, as many who suffer from bipolar are. His death was a tragedy and...more
In 1998, when Danielle Steel’s son Nick died, what is now “bipolar disorder” was still called “manic-depressive.” In this book from the heart, Steel documents what this condition does to those who have it and those around them, in the context of her son’s short but remarkable life. I admire the author’s courage in sharing her story.
Although much is now known about the brain and common mental disorders, including bipolar, there is still a general lack of understanding and awareness in...more
Although much is now known about the brain and common mental disorders, including bipolar, there is still a general lack of understanding and awareness in...more
I remember hearing about this tragedy when it happened. This is the tragic story of the author's son, Nick who suffered from Bipolar Disorder. He was an enchanting person who could charm the socks off of you, just a few people I know who suffer from Bipolar disorder as well. The author looks back on his life and celebrates the unique person her son was. She knew from infancy that something was different about her son, and she was his confidante and protector his whole life. I am glad I read th...more
kathi
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone suffereing from bi-polar of their families
Recommended to kathi by:
No one
Shelves:
books-read-in-2009
This book was mostly sad although there were some parts that were a little bit happier...but not many. Author Danielle Steele wrote about her son, Nicky, who exhibited signs of bi-polar from the time he was very young...it mentioned 'baby' bi-polar....the book documented Nick's life as well as his mom's stuggle to find help for him.From my point of view the system failed Nick in all ways. His mom knew something was wrong with him but nobody helped her. She tried every avenue she could and th...more
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Not Danielle Steel's typical novel. This time she's writing the story of her son's much too short life. Nick Traina dealt with many personal struggles in his life but was still able to inspire many people with his music as a part of Link 80 and Knowledge. Steel chronicles his life from a mother's point of view and you can tell she wishes she could have done more. I've read that his friends weren't happy with the book because it paints them in a slightly negative light and they say it wasn't ...more
Read a long time back when first trying to understand early childhood bipolar disorder. Amazing how this book has since affected my perspective as so many symptoms run parallel with other kids with his condition, and a little illumination on what being a sibling might have been like. Wasn't impressed by some of the moral values, but was impressed by the creative solutions at a time when bipolar disorder wasn't diagnosed or treated in children. Author/mom had to BEG for a lithium prescription ...more
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 ...more
"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 ...more
I hated this book from the opening paragraph. Yes, I ached for her as a mother, but my personal experiences got in the way. She had finances beyond what most of us will ever obtain and those finances and lack of supervision led her son down more dangerous paths. As a mother that was not able to receive needed medical help for my own child because of a lack of finances, made this book even more difficult to take. Some stories should be written for yourself and kept to yourself.
Very touching book. I am very into psychology and this book has been a inspiration for me. Its about a boy who suffers from bipolar for many years and such a short life. Many people look at mental disorders in a negative manner but not knowing that those who are diagnosed with an mental disorder are very intelligent individuals just struggling through an illness that is genetic. I advise everyone to read this book and it will change your way of thinking towards people in general.
This was such a sad book. Danielle Steel's son Nick suffered from Bipolar disorder which was undiagnosed for a long while. She continually searched for new schools, hospitals and summer camps to help him. She found a counsellor who eventually worked with him full time alongside 2 carers.
Their whole family were suffering with his outbursts and it was an upsetting insight into how disabilities affect everyone in the family.
Their whole family were suffering with his outbursts and it was an upsetting insight into how disabilities affect everyone in the family.
I read this book my senior year of high school at the request of my AP English IV teacher, Linda Williams. It was one of the only non-fiction books I've read that I actually enjoyed. Nick is Steel's son, who suffered from manic depression and other issues his entire but short life. His story is incredibly tragic, but enlightening. After reading this, I never looked at mental disorders the same way.
This book was about her son's life and his suicide. It was sad, as a mom, you really empathize with her. She described the pain that her son was going through and the pain she and her family were going through as well. It took me a while to finish it- I think maybe because of the subject matter. It's not a book that keeps you wanting to read more, and you don't feel that great after reading it.
The only Danielle Steel book I own. Not her typical story.
It is the biography of her son. It is a walk through his disease, what it did to him and what it did to the family.
I have read this several times, and recommended it to family. With a bipolar brother, it is hard to read and not draw all the parallels. It is easier to understand that the behavior is a product of the disease, not the person.
It is the biography of her son. It is a walk through his disease, what it did to him and what it did to the family.
I have read this several times, and recommended it to family. With a bipolar brother, it is hard to read and not draw all the parallels. It is easier to understand that the behavior is a product of the disease, not the person.
Best-selling author writes about the challenges of raising her handsome and talented son, Nicky, who suffered from manic depression. At nineteen, he took his life. Her goal in writing was to 1) preserve her son's memory and 2) help parents who are trying to raise a child with severe emotional issues. As a mother who also lost her son to suicide, I could relate to her pain and grief even though her story is very different than mine.
His Bright Light is one of the very few non-fiction books that I've read over and over. The emotion that Danielle Steel pours into this tell all story of her son is heartbreaking. I cry every single time I read it, but at the same time, you can't help but smile and laugh at some of the things she describes her son doing. It's brilliant and one of her best pieces of work, IMO.
This was a very moving book. I gained a greater respect for her as a person after reading this. I felt for her as she struggled to get help for her son. My son has some issues as well and I understand a bit of what she went through. Though I knew what the ending would be before I started reading it, I kept hoping he lived. Thank you for sharing your story.
a bit repetitive in her words but one can never imagine being a mother in her situation. My heart broke for her while reading...but I felt his personal journal entries were private and I actually felt uncomfortable reading many of them. I admire her for writing this story. I am sure it would have been difficult but perhaps it also helped her to heal.
I was originally very wary of reading a Danielle Steel book, but this was a very well written, heartfelt account of her son's life. This detailed account and his funny antics truly made me wish I could have met him. He sounded like a very charismatic, fun-loving person. From a psychological perspective, it was intriguing to read about all of the early warning signs and to see how readily the professionals dismissed them. If it was this difficult for someone with ample means and resources, I can ...more
Tanya
added it
Reading because I have a bipolar student in my class this year. Hoping to get more parent perspective from this book because my student's mother is not good at communicating the home issues with us at school. Didn't really get anything like that from this book. It was interesting, but not as good as I remember when I used to read Danielle Steel's fictional books years ago.
I read this book before my bright light, Matthew died 4 yrs ago.The lost of him at 34 was devastating to me and his 3yrs old daughter, who will know him only through their pictures and me always telling her special things about her daddy. I have his personal things saved, and when she is old enough, I will share them with her. K. Fisher
This book is a beautiful tribute to an unfinished life. I am amazed by her undying love and allegiance to her son. While Nick's story is tragic, it is not uncommon. Like Danielle Steele, I hope this book can help parents idenify early signs of mental illnesses and be an example of the kind of love and support children need.
This being the true story of her son Nick. It was such a wonderful glimpse into the woman I have adored as an author all of my life. The tragedy of losing Nick and the lessons that can be learned for people that have children suffering the same way is limitless. God Bless her.
It touched me more than any book has ever managed to. More than the writing, it's the story of the boy in his own mother's words that make you weep like a baby through every page. Your heart goes out to Danielle, Nick and the rest of the family. R.I.P, Nick Traina. :)
This book is an amazing insight to the very confusing mental illness, early onset bipolar. This is very near and dear to my heart, very well written, and something i think everyone would benefit from reading. There is some foul language, as a warning.
I was tremendously impressed by the honesty and openness of Danielle Steel. I am grateful to her for writing the book which must have been quite painful. Thank you for helping educate the public on the struggles and triumphs of this disorder.
Most of my books I am adding and I plan to reread. So I set the to-read. With many things going on with the youth these day. My mind goes back to this book when it comes to certain tragedies. I look forward to reading this book again. </3...
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Since 1981, Ms. Steel has been a permanent fixture on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. In 1989, she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having at least one of her books on the Times bestseller list for 381 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...more
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