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Beset: The Pursuit of Happiness in Times of Crisis
"This title is one of the most brutally honest books you'll have the pleasure of reading..."
"A memoir with a difference. I laughed and despaired throughout this book!"
The true story of a single father who embarks on a personal journey like no other following a slide into emotional and financial crisis. As problems mount, internal chaos grows and his young son's autism worsens, he realises that he himself is his own worst enemy and begins to unearth the true meaning to his life...
Set during the global recession, this stirring true story of a father overcoming his demons for the sake of his children and himself will inspire divorcees, single parents and anyone struggling through their own times of crisis.
'Beset' - A modern memoir about an enlightening journey of self discovery.
"99% of this story is true, 1% is outrageous liberty-taking. Although I may only be 99% telling the truth when I say that, I only really remember 1% of what happened." - Lee Daniel Bullen
"A memoir with a difference. I laughed and despaired throughout this book!"
The true story of a single father who embarks on a personal journey like no other following a slide into emotional and financial crisis. As problems mount, internal chaos grows and his young son's autism worsens, he realises that he himself is his own worst enemy and begins to unearth the true meaning to his life...
Set during the global recession, this stirring true story of a father overcoming his demons for the sake of his children and himself will inspire divorcees, single parents and anyone struggling through their own times of crisis.
'Beset' - A modern memoir about an enlightening journey of self discovery.
"99% of this story is true, 1% is outrageous liberty-taking. Although I may only be 99% telling the truth when I say that, I only really remember 1% of what happened." - Lee Daniel Bullen
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Published November 14, 2013
86 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Lee Daniel Bullen
13 books5 followersLee Daniel Bullen is the bestselling author of 'Beset', 'Double Ex' and numerous comedies and novelettes.
He previously worked as an illustrator and screenwriter but now solely devotes his time to crafting natty novels.
His personal interests include squirrel romancing, ferret fondling and stringing the guitar. His more intelligible writings are available in paperback and eBook.
Follow Lee on Twitter: @bullen_author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bullenauthor
He previously worked as an illustrator and screenwriter but now solely devotes his time to crafting natty novels.
His personal interests include squirrel romancing, ferret fondling and stringing the guitar. His more intelligible writings are available in paperback and eBook.
Follow Lee on Twitter: @bullen_author
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bullenauthor
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 27, 2022
To have your son diagnosed as autistic would have been traumatising enough, but to have that diagnosis at the same time as your divorce, coupled with losing your job - no prospect of finding another, because the author’s island of Tenerife was badly affected by the recent global financial crisis, and it's not hard to see how life would take a complete nosedive. This is exactly what happened to Lee Bullen, and he tells his story with amazing honesty, humour, and acceptance. We follow his ups and his many downs as Lee discovers what really matters in life, the important things that sometimes can only be discovered through adversity. An interesting read.
July 9, 2013
A hilarious account of author's personal, emotional, and financial crises. Yet poignantly describes the fear, loneliness and despair that life and personal choices have taken him too. Maybe a bit crude for some but I enjoyed the author's comedic approach to his darkest times.
May 27, 2013
I can't finish it. I thought it was a memoir about raising an autistic son but I can't get past this Tom, Dick and Harry business.
September 11, 2013
Lee Bullen outdid himself in this book. I wanted to know how he dealt with being a single father, with 2 young children below the age of 5 years, one being autistic and finding time to be the best father he could be with the crunching recession times where getting a job was so hard. And budget cuts were happening every where. Why I loved the book, because of how he broke himself into 3 I's. Tom, Harry and Dick.
2. With the frustration of having an autistic child and always hoping they could talk and not be so erratic. And that moment he asked"where is dad? " that did it for me. It was a moment of hope
3. Plus it has a lot of good humor, good self conversations. Interesting self analysis. Good stuff, definitely worth time reading.
2. With the frustration of having an autistic child and always hoping they could talk and not be so erratic. And that moment he asked"where is dad? " that did it for me. It was a moment of hope
3. Plus it has a lot of good humor, good self conversations. Interesting self analysis. Good stuff, definitely worth time reading.
July 7, 2013
it mostly kept my attention. I did enjoy his sense of humor.
April 23, 2014
Thought the book had a promising potential. But bored me to tears with the author's class warfare rants.
April 24, 2014
great to read a book by a contemporary, using contemporary language but still well-written and refreshingly/comfortingly honest!
September 27, 2014
Couldn't finish it so skimmed the last chapters waiting for him to stop moaning.
January 17, 2016
I agree that he is his own worst enemy. I almost quit when he blamed vaccination for his son's autism, but kept reading. I wish I had stopped there and saved myself some time.
July 6, 2020
An honest and raw memoir
A journey of discovery. This was a well-written, honest, and often raw account of a marriage break-up, a father’s love for his two children, and a devastating Autism diagnosis for his young son. The narrative, from a man’s perspective, was at times expressive, but also believable. There were touching and unexpected moments in this book that lifted it above your average life-story memoir, and made you question your own thoughts and chosen path too. How would I have coped with this turn of events? Lee helps to highlight the stark reality of having a disabled son whilst your marriage and work prospects crash down around your feet. The mark of the man is his insistence of not giving up, and his desire to give everything he can to ensure his children grow up safe and happy gives this book a positive vibe. Well worth a read.
A journey of discovery. This was a well-written, honest, and often raw account of a marriage break-up, a father’s love for his two children, and a devastating Autism diagnosis for his young son. The narrative, from a man’s perspective, was at times expressive, but also believable. There were touching and unexpected moments in this book that lifted it above your average life-story memoir, and made you question your own thoughts and chosen path too. How would I have coped with this turn of events? Lee helps to highlight the stark reality of having a disabled son whilst your marriage and work prospects crash down around your feet. The mark of the man is his insistence of not giving up, and his desire to give everything he can to ensure his children grow up safe and happy gives this book a positive vibe. Well worth a read.
February 10, 2020
Much as I hate to leave poor reviews when it comes to people writing their memoirs, I did find this a slog. The author seemed obsessed with looking at everything negative in his life and in turn this made for a bit of a depressing read - also I found the book was less about his son's Autism diagnosis (which is why I picked it up) and more about his own life crisis, of which there were many. I wish him all the best and hope life is treating him more kindly in 2020!
November 7, 2020
Not what I expected
When I ordered this book i thought it would give me some insights on autism There were times when I almost set the book aside as it seemed inane something made me trudge on and the end , though not what I expected, was very rewarding. A lesson of faith
When I ordered this book i thought it would give me some insights on autism There were times when I almost set the book aside as it seemed inane something made me trudge on and the end , though not what I expected, was very rewarding. A lesson of faith
May 8, 2020
I found this read to be very moving and close to my heart – my eldest son is Epileptic and borderline Autistic so I can relate to a lot of Lee´s problems as I too am a single parent. Lee´s feelings of being alone in an alien word of Autism had me laughing out loud but also crying especially when I read the Beautiful Autism ditty which are oh so true to life with an Autistic child
Beset drove Lee through happiness,sadness and specially hopeless feelings, yes a story (based on true life events) of how life brings us to the edge to test ourselves. This is a well written account of a single Dad striving for contentment & peace as he tries to make the best life for himself & his 2 adorable children.
In his writings Lee lead me through all of the emotions from joy, sorrow, despair, laughter, pessimism and finally optimism and hope. The heartbreak and despair about Danny´s future and his confession to Gaynor that his biggest fear that he would never have a conversation with Danny. His hopes that one day Danny would interact with Nadia.
Finally Lee´s elation that there is hope and that Danny has finally asked ´Where´s Dad?´ and ´Pee Pee´, small steps for you and I but giant steps for Danny – sparking much needed hope in Lee´s hour of despair.
What a roller-coaster of emotions Lee went through – good times, bad times, sad times and compete desolation and loneliness. Life throws us curve-balls and we deal with them to the best of our abilities.
Thank you Lee, a well deserved 5 star rating
Beset drove Lee through happiness,sadness and specially hopeless feelings, yes a story (based on true life events) of how life brings us to the edge to test ourselves. This is a well written account of a single Dad striving for contentment & peace as he tries to make the best life for himself & his 2 adorable children.
In his writings Lee lead me through all of the emotions from joy, sorrow, despair, laughter, pessimism and finally optimism and hope. The heartbreak and despair about Danny´s future and his confession to Gaynor that his biggest fear that he would never have a conversation with Danny. His hopes that one day Danny would interact with Nadia.
Finally Lee´s elation that there is hope and that Danny has finally asked ´Where´s Dad?´ and ´Pee Pee´, small steps for you and I but giant steps for Danny – sparking much needed hope in Lee´s hour of despair.
What a roller-coaster of emotions Lee went through – good times, bad times, sad times and compete desolation and loneliness. Life throws us curve-balls and we deal with them to the best of our abilities.
Thank you Lee, a well deserved 5 star rating
May 22, 2015
I enjoyed this biography. The author has various things going against him in life, and we get to read him rate aspects of his life during certain time periods. Of note, is his coming to grips with his son's autism, and his eventual thankfulness in what would seem like a small improvement to those that are not faced with having an autistic child...but yet, means tne world to him.
March 19, 2016
Intresting
Reading memoirs to me is like sitting at a public table enjoying coffee or tea and people watch, except with a bite more insight into the lives of those that captivate you longer than others.
Reading memoirs to me is like sitting at a public table enjoying coffee or tea and people watch, except with a bite more insight into the lives of those that captivate you longer than others.
July 20, 2014
There were high and low points of this book. Most of the time, I wanted to shake him, but it seems like he made some realizations toward the end.
September 29, 2016
Lee is a friend from the days when I had a life. A proper life. BESET is a desperate story, but when I can prise myself away from his woes, I love the way it takes me home.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews