My Mum had always talked about this book from when I was a kid, at 24 I’ve just gotten around to reading it. It is truly an amazing journey through Damon’s life, it’s not just a book you read but a book you feel and love.
I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.

Pretty tragic story. Didn't realise it was non-fiction until I started reading it.

This book had me sobbing over the final pages and left me with me with a feeling of deep, deep heartache that I could physically feel. I don’t think I’ll ever look at the sun’s rays piercing through the clouds at sunset again without thinking of Damon and Celeste.

April Fool's Day is the incredibly moving story of a young man's life cut short by AIDS and the true & pure love for a young woman that will inspire you to live every day to its fullest and love like there is no tomorrow.
There is truly no other words to describe it expect that it is a must read novel that will change how you see life.

"The lovely smiling image I have of Damon will remind me that Love is an energy-it can neither be created or destroyed. It just is and always will be, giving meaning to life and direction to goodness.
Our love will never die."

Celeste. April Fool's Day

Good story of love and the struggles. He tried so long for love

Well I’m in tears.

oh dear Damon, dear Celeste. i read your book. thank you. love to bryce and benita RIP. MY HEART IS RIPPED OPEN but better for knowing you all. pete

Tragically sad. A moving account of a young mans short life born a haemophiliac who contracted HIV via one of his “life saving” transfusions and later died of AIDS in his early twenties.
“April Fools Day” was published in 1993 however the intervening years between 1990 (when Damon Courtenay passed away) and 2022 have in no way diminished the heartbreaking story of this amazing young man’s life, his ability to grasp and live and love life to the very fullest in the face of such daunting odds, and the unconditional love of his family and those closest to him.
This book broke my heart and is a reminder of how very precious our health and our lives are.

I like how the author is sharing about his son, who was a haemophiliac. It is really interesting to know about a rare disease which will gain more awareness in the society. The story takes place in real life which added more sympathy to the author and the characters themselves. At the part where I am right now, I am a little bit annoyed by the author who is also the father, who didn't really care about how the size of his son's head is getting bigger in the first place.

♥️

AUSTRALIA/ SOUTH AFRICA

Sitting in bed crying after finishing this one , first book that has made me cry in a long time .

So sad and raw and man , I’m like really saddened by this one . This is a biography / autobiography from Bryce Courtney and his family documenting the health journey in the 80s:90s of his son Damon who was a haemophiliac . It’s a very gripping and soul wrenching read . Also knowing that Courtney likely wrote Power of One and did in fact wrote Tandia while dealing with this gave me a new found appreciation for both those books .

I actually read this book about 25 years ago... but it is a book that will never leave me.
I still remember the absolute power of the book and my utter devaststion when I finished reading.
it took me on such a rollercoaster ride and made me realise another side of life that I was fortunate to not have encountered. It was probably part of the reason that I now value my family so much... because you never know what is going to happen in the future.
If you want to read a book about compassion, devotion anf hope, then this is that book.