Interesting how Courtney's best book the Power of One was written while Damon his son born a hemophiliac and was later to develop aids through one of his hundreds of blood transfusions. Tandia was also written during the families trauma riddled years. Damon undoubtedly was a silent and hidden inspiration to these masterpieces.
Although this book never rated as well by me due to the constant despair leveled at a good deal of the medical staff in Damon's life. Many unknown barriers existed for those staff dealing not only with the patient but also the anguish of the parents and their own well being.
The spirit of Damon lived on in Bryce to make him become Australia's greatest ever author with more than a dozen best sellers worldwide.

I am drained - both emotionally and physically after completing this memoir. This was a long read for me and an incredibly arduous yet loving journey for the marvelous family of Damon Courtenay. To have a son born a hemophiliac is beyond daunting. I had no idea about all of the spontaneous bleeds of a hemophiliac nor the resulting physical deterioration in the body. The "mother" part of me reading this book wept openly. How did these parents continue to find their needed strength both physically and emotionally? Add an AIDS contaminated transfusion to the mix and life really becomes challenging.
One reviewer I read wrote:
"This isn't a book you actually "enjoy" but it is an important book. It is the book Damon asked his father to write, to instruct people about AIDS and, he hoped, reduce some of the stigma attached to AIDS victims. (Damon died in a time when you were expected to wear gowns, gloves and masks when entering the room of someone with AIDS) You will laugh, you will cry and you will scream at too many in the medical community who made things terrible for Damon at various points in his life, from babyhood all the way up to his death."
So why read this tribute to a dead son? For me it was the empathy I feel and the beginning bud of understanding of this terrible condition. There were so many obstacles: ignorance, depression, seizures, pain, loneliness, but these elements were blended with the dedication of a devoted lover (Celeste), generous and caring doctors (at the end of Damon's life), a profound belief in the power of the mind, an unquenchable attitude of gratitude and a zest for life.
My challenges seem smaller now. My life is abundantly rich and full. This well-loved author "barred his soul" if you will and in so doing touched mine.

I first read this in 1994, when AIDS was "new" and fatal. It moved me then and as an Occupational Therapist was certainly a guide as to how the paternalistic and patronising the medical profession can be towards both long term conditions (haemophilia) and HIV. In retrospect it is very sad in that there are now very effective treatments and preventative medication so the book is really "history" now, but I well remember the fear such diagnosis initially generated in ignorant clinicians. It's a hard and emotional read but I think worth it and life affirming. It's particularly nice to learn Celeste has made a life and found happiness in her future.

My lovely Mama actually recommended this book to me. I asked her once, what is a book that has stayed with you for years and this was it.

The only way I can describe this one is; a very hard read. Based on a true story, Bryce Courteney writes the story of his darling son who mistakenly contracts HIV/AIDS through a blood transfusion as he was a hemophiliac.

The story follows his childhood, tragic contracting of the disease, his fight for life, his incredible love and eventual ending.

I think what struck me most with this book is the very sad stigma associated with this disease in 1993. In my head I like to hope that no one would ever be discriminated like this now, but I’m sure there are many situations where they are.

The death of his son, Damon Courtenay, must have been an incredibly painful account to write and Bryce did it with such grace and vulnerability.

A highly recommended read for anyone looking for a deep book, one of personal tragedy and also to know more about this horrible disease.

Based on one of Bryce's sons, Damon's life. This book is about the struggles of a young man suffering from Haemophillia, who then through one of many blood transfusions contracts HIV leading a few years later AIDS.

Thank goodness that's over

A beautiful retelling of a life that should have broken Damon early on. Yet this wondrous person persisted and loved and grew into an extraordinary person. Bryce’s dedication story to his son breaks and remakes your heart while paying deep attention and respect to the love between Celeste and Damon as they face every adversity.

This story has imprinted itself within me and I will forever remember Damon’s legacy.

Courtney at his most honest and his best. ★ 5

An interesting insight into the plight and suffering of AID's patients in the 80's and 90's. Some of the book was a bit repetitive, and drawn out, but a pretty easy - though heavy- read.

Amazing book and tragic true story, opened my eyes to HIV and living with AIDS.
A heart breaker, have some tissues to hand.

A powerful story delving into the trauma of losing a child over a lifetime of suffering to not one, but two slow but fatal illnesses. Fraught with sadness and dramatic descriptions, the story lingers a little too long on the painful process, making the book longer than it needed to be. Much of this length can be attributed to repetition of narrative from different points of view.
An informative and heart rending narrative that labors at times under its own weight.

I'm not close to done but felt compelled to say ... wow!

Now that's I've finished it ... still wow! Definitely an inspiring story of love and devotion under impossible circumstances. I also enjoyed the Australian "flavor" (for lack of a better word).

If anyone in SD is interested in this, the Central library branch has a copy. It'll be back there within the week, after I turn it in.