I had no idea that this was a true story until I got about halfway thru to the first picture. Really, I am surprised at the lack of medical knowledge that requires transfusions at the hospital by a single doctor and later on how much needed to be advocated for patients. I know it continues today and feel for those patients that don’t have advocates.

Generally, I've never been a huge fan of Bryce Courtenay books.

But I knew after a chapter in, April Fools Day was going to be in it's own ball-park.

I adore this book.

I first read April Fools Day when I was 16 years old and it would be fair to say, even then, it profoundly moved me. Bryce Courtenay's love for his son and the tragedy of mighty Damon's life made this book one with plenty of tearful moments. Admirably, Bryce is also very forthcoming and authentic about his own shortcomings as a husband and a father in his telling of the story.

However, somehow, even despite being all about AIDS, haemophilia and death, April Fools Day is filled with love, lightness and life-affirming moments too. Damon and Celeste's love is somehow stronger than AIDS and Celeste shines a light in an otherwise deeply unlucky life.

Five stars in a heartbeat. But if you take the challenge, be warned, you'll need to keep the tissue box on stand-by.

Idk how Bryce manages to make such a sad story so uplifting

Would absolutely reccomend

Bryce Courtenay details the many challenges faced by his son, Damon, who was born with hemophilia and later contacted AIDS from transfusions of the very blood product (Factor VIII) intended to stop his frequent “bleeds”. Damon suffered tremendous pain throughout his life from the arthritis in his joints caused by frequent internal bleeding; his suffering was compounded by bouts of thrush, pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhea and countless infections as AIDS ravaged his body and mind. He was in and out of hospitals his whole life, but had a happy disposition and generally maintained a positive attitude. His parents and girlfriend supported him, cared for him and helped him live as full a life as possible. Towards the end of his life, Damon urged his father to write his story, a story of love. And that is exactly what Courtenay has done in the telling of his family’s experience of living with a hemophiliac and an AIDS patient. Their pain is palpable, as is their love for Damon.

I learned a lot about both hemophilia and AIDS from the detailed explanations and descriptions of both conditions by Courtenay and came away with great admiration for the strength, determination and courage shown by Damon. My only criticisms of the book are its constant repetitions of the consequences and treatment of the “bleeds” and the resulting length (over 600 pages). If Courtenay’s objective was to provide the reader with an “up close and personal” feel of Damon’s pain and suffering that cannot be forgotten, he succeeded.

Read years ago. Need to reread

The heartbreaking story about Bryce Courtenay’s youngest son Damon, who was born a haemophiliac. Not only did he have this terrible disease that made his life so difficult, but he become HIV positive from one of the thousands of transfusions he needed to keep him alive. He died from AIDS on April 1st, at only 23 years old.

This is a terribly sad story, and makes you feel so angry at a health system that allowed this to happen. In the US they had stopped accepting blood donations from the gay community as soon as they realised that AIDS was transferred by blood. In Australia the politicians, not wanting to upset the gay voters, waited another two years before finally testing blood donors, resulting in over 50% of haemophiliacs contracting the disease throughout the 1970’s/1980’s in Australia.

There is a lot of medical information about both Haemophilia and AIDS and the extraordinary cocktail of drugs that Damon had to take to stay alive. I certainly came away from this book more informed about both diseases.

Courtenay is understandably angry about a lot of things, particularly the lack of support from many sectors and individuals in the health system. As a parent, he has my enormous sympathy and empathy. However, on the whole, this book is marred by his voice. He does not come across as a particularly likeable person; I’m not sure whether to commend his honesty in portraying himself, or be outraged by some of his behaviours and views. He often comes across as a bit of a dick, to be honest!

This book would have been more effective if it had been written by Damon’s partner, Celeste, who appears to be an amazing individual - and certainly more likeable than Courtenay.

5 stars

Bryce Courtenay, storyteller extraordinaire and one of my most favourite authors tells the tragic story of his own son and his horrendous struggles in life. Damon is born a hemophiliac and accidentally contracts AIDS through a "life saving" blood transfusion. My heart goes out to every family who has been and may ever have to suffer such hardship, I'm not sure I would be able to cope without heavy sedatives.

"When the afflictions which continued to beset Damon didn't fill me with despair, I marvelled at the capacity of the human body to take the kind of punishment the remorseless onslaught AIDS delivers to it. How Damon was able to survive was a mystery. Why he'd want life to continue was even more bewildering. -Bryce Courtenay

An insanely beautiful and insanely sad book. It is a book that starts at the end, so you know where it’s going, but also have no idea what will happen along the way. Very vulnerably written.
I thought this was one of the best books I’ve read in a while.

A very special book. Utterly devastating, but also important. A must read.

Bryce Courtenay you are a brilliant writer /author this was a true story that sweeps you up and draws you into their lives. It’s raw, honest and gives you a clear understanding of Damon’s life and grips at your heartstrings in a sincere way and its full of courage and a lot of love.

Bryce Courtenay writes his son's story of growing up as a haemophiliac who acquires AIDS from a blood transfusion during the time when AIDS was just hitting the news in the states. Damon grew up in Australia so no one really new what it was all about until it was too late and it was already in the blood banks.
Damon's attitude throughout his 24 years of living with thousands of blood transfusions and an endless amount of sickness of one form or another is amazing! When he is in his late teens he meets Celeste, another teenager and the love that grows between them is one you just don't hear about. She becomes his world and he of hers.
This book took me through many emotions, including sadness, but it was also an inspiration in so many ways. Thank you Bryce for a brilliant read..

I listened to this on audio. My mum rocked up to celebrate Easter and I opened the door with a tear streaked face barely able to speak. I had just reached the 50% mark.
So our Easter weekend was spent sitting down listening to the book again from the beginning. It just finished and both my mum and I are using our Easter napkins to wipe away our tears.

I was born with many health problems and am actually on a lot of the same pain killers that Damon was on. My mum often tells me about the guilt she harbours over errors of judgments she has made over the years and I have tried many times to ease her concerns and explain to her how much I appreciate having her in my life.
While my struggles are nowhere near the trauma of Damon’s life, I was able to relate to a lot of what he went through. While he was judged as being gay, I am often judged as being a drug addict due to my uncontrollable seizures.
This novel hit home so much for us and we are both so grateful to Bryce for sharing such an intimate and emotional part of his life. Bryce’s bravery has helped us to face and accept so much about our own lives and situations.

Looooved this book, I couldn’t put it down