∎ PDF April Fool Day Bryce Courtenay 9780140272932 Books

April Fool Day Bryce Courtenay 9780140272932 Books

Download As PDF : April Fool Day Bryce Courtenay 9780140272932 Books

April Fool Day Bryce Courtenay 9780140272932 Books

This is the very poignant account of Damon Courtenay, an Australian boy born with hemophilia who came into young adulthood during the years when HIV was first identified. It always struck me as the most horrible of ironies, that the treatment for a debilitating disease (hemophilia) was found to put people at risk for another terribly debilitating disease (HIV / AIDS). This is a powerful, compelling account by his father, mother, and girlfriend (Celeste) of his childhood, young adulthood, and finally his demise. There is is little whitewashing here... the father tells of long workdays followed by nights out drinking, only to arrive home to find his son in need of a trip to the hospital for a transfusion. Damon copes with his illness in an optimistic, pragmatic way that I found inspirational. His parents were tireless advocates for Damon and fought to be able to administer blood transfusions at home to more easily treat the painful "bleeds" Damon experienced. His girlfriend was his rock and most vocal advocate as he neared his death. I found April Fool's Day to be an inspiring book that was hard to put down -- I literally was hooked from the 1st chapter I read online prior to purchase -- and highly recommend it.


Tags : April Fool's Day [Bryce Courtenay] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The author of THE POWER OF ONE celebrates the life of his son Damon, a haemophiliac, who died from medically acquired AIDS at the age of 24. He also condemns the medical approach taken towards AIDS and describes how he and his family coped with Damon's haemophilia and early death. Originally published in 1995 by Heinemann.,Bryce Courtenay,April Fool's Day,Penguin Group Australia,0140272933,AIDS: social aspects,Biography & Autobiography,Biography: general,Coping with illness,BiographyAutobiography

April Fool Day Bryce Courtenay 9780140272932 Books Reviews

This book is painful to read as Courtenay describes in detail a young man's disability from birth and his determination to carry the burden and rise above it only to be brought down by a medical treatment that his government fails to recognize and prevent. Further details describe his isolation and his slow progress to death makes for literature that some could not read. Personally, I felt I was living it with the author, which makes it well written but I do not think it is a book for everyone. The author told this story from his heart and that of his sons's and if nothing else he opens doors into what life can be like for so many suffering from a multitude of illnesses Four stars because not all could read this, but 5 stars for the author and the literature.
Courtenay describes in incredible detail the journey of his son's life with severe illness. The dedication of family, friends and the love of his son's partner throughout is touching. Also, incredibly well depicted is the utter frustration in a medical system filled with arrogance and bureaucracy and lack of understanding and compassion at numerous points in his son's illness. The impressions and impact on the main characters is described in fitting detail as each relates his/her own story. Well done.......
This book affected me so deeply and has stayed with me since I first read it years ago. Having lost a loved one to AIDS I could relate to Bryce Courtenay's pain and I could feel the anger and passion he felt writing this book. Through Bryce's amazing talent for telling a story I felt I really knew Damon and his family. When I got to the last page I let out a deep sigh and cried for Damon, for my own loved one and for everyone affected by AIDS. I thank Bryce for having the courage to write this important book and for sharing Damon's life with us all.

I've read several of Bryce Courtenay's books and every one is a gem. I'm only disappointed that his books are not published in The United States and not readily available in our local bookstores.

I highly recommend this book to everyone and I know you'll be hooked on Bryce forever afterward.
Absolutely terrific book. I think this was Courtenay's only non-fiction book. It is about his son who had hemophelia and contracted AIDS from repeated transfusions. I have 18 of Courtenay's books, starting with "The Power of One" and ending with his last one before his death, "Jack of Diamonds". They are ALL five star books. I am a voracious reader and I would have to say that Courtenay was/is at the top of the list! Buy "The Power of One" (was also a movie with Morgan Freeman) and you will be sold.
This book is a gripping narrative about the struggles of the author's (Bryce Courtenay) family over the years with the health complications of his hemophiliac son, their third child. The intensity of the subject often makes it hard to read. I had to pause quite often to take a breather and relax. For anyone who has a chronically ill child or close relative, this books hits hard close to home.

His stye of writing is very descriptive, you can almost close your eyes and it feels you are there with him and his family, at every step of their long tenuous journey.

I decided to listen to the audiobook. This book has all the markings of being turned into a movie. After "Power of One", this has to be the best "Bryce Courtenay" book, I have read so far.
I thought that I knew something about hemophilia, but it turned out that I knew very little. I read this book because it was recommended by a close friend who has a hemophiliac son. By the time I finished reading I had a fresh understanding and sympathy for my friend's son, for all that he suffers and for how bravely he endures. I had great respect and admiration for his parents and that has increased many fold since I completed "April Fool's Day".

I loved the author, his family, dedicated girl-friend and the good people (professional and friends) who worked with such dedication to help the authors son. On the other hand, I was enraged by the slough of the politicians and the rigidity of some of the Medical Establishment, whose main concern seemed to be protecting their turf and preserving their egos.

I think it fair to say that my friend's son is the beneficiary of the enlightenment that this book has shed on the problems that face hemophiliacs.
This is the very poignant account of Damon Courtenay, an Australian boy born with hemophilia who came into young adulthood during the years when HIV was first identified. It always struck me as the most horrible of ironies, that the treatment for a debilitating disease (hemophilia) was found to put people at risk for another terribly debilitating disease (HIV / AIDS). This is a powerful, compelling account by his father, mother, and girlfriend (Celeste) of his childhood, young adulthood, and finally his demise. There is is little whitewashing here... the father tells of long workdays followed by nights out drinking, only to arrive home to find his son in need of a trip to the hospital for a transfusion. Damon copes with his illness in an optimistic, pragmatic way that I found inspirational. His parents were tireless advocates for Damon and fought to be able to administer blood transfusions at home to more easily treat the painful "bleeds" Damon experienced. His girlfriend was his rock and most vocal advocate as he neared his death. I found April Fool's Day to be an inspiring book that was hard to put down -- I literally was hooked from the 1st chapter I read online prior to purchase -- and highly recommend it.