Pete Doherty: My Prodigal Son: My Prodigal Son - A Child in Trouble, a Family Ripped Apart, the Extraordinary Story of a Mother's Love

by Jacqueline Doherty

For over three years Jacqueline Doherty has been watching her rock star son's messy descent into drug addiction. Every step of the way has been charted by a hungry media. And every step of the way has been agony for a loving mum. Pete Doherty's celebrity means that his addiction has become public property. But Jacqueline is a private person and her painful account is that of any mum - or any parent - trying to help a child in trouble. This is the compelling story of Pete's childhood, his burgeoning talent, his success as a musician and his drug addiction, set against the backdrop of his loving relationship with his mother and his family. It is a moving memoir of how a happy, middle-class family is coping with a family member opting to love drugs more than he loves them, or himself. It is a memoir that will offer hope to other mothers and families in a similar situation.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Drugs, Biography, Memoir, British Literature

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2006

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good insight into the life of Pete from his Mum's perspective. While I'm a big fan of Peter and his honestly with his drug addiction, I can not even imagine the stress, worry and trauma this has put his family through.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, warm, heart wrenching book. It is plain to see why she has written this book. Everyone passes judgement and has an opinion of celebrities without knowing anything about them except for what is written in the media (which a large percentage of is untrue). I felt privileged as a reader, to have been allowed a glimpse of her family life and being a mother myself, of a 21 year old son who is about to embark on life as a post graduate, would also want to inform the judgemental general public of what a fine young man my son is.

[VicKino · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai rarement lu un livre aussi juste, aussi bienveillant sur le sujet de l'addiction.

Certains passages sont très durs à lire, quand on pense que c'est une mère qui les écrit. C'est le récit d'une femme forte qui se démène pour faire au mieux face aux démons de son fils. Elle pose des explications très claires sur les mécanismes de l'addiction et de son impact sur les proches. En cela, c'est un témoignage utile, nécessaire qui a dû/peut aider beaucoup de gens qui sont dans une situation similaire.

Enfin, ce livre a été écrit en 2007, Peter Doherty avait 28 ans. Il en a aujourd'hui 45 ans, s'est sorti de son addiction à l'héroïne, et que l'on aimerait dire cela à cette maman de 2007.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this a couple of times now and I am still warmed by how caring, kind and forgiving she is. The Pete Problem as she calls it has caused her and her family so much heartbreak and nearly caused the break-up of her marriage but she comes across so understanding about it all. She is a devoted mother and you can only begin to imagine how much fear and pain she is going through worrying that every day could be her son’s last. She talks about his trips to rehab. She is in touch with him all the time, never letting a few days go by without trying to find out how he is and where he is . His father on the other hand takes the path of taking his distance from his son and it is his mother’s constant worry and need to be in touch which nearly breaks the family down. It is a very moving and heartfelt book.

[Swee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subject of addiction really fascinates me and the psychology behind it too, so finding out about how it affects families of the addicts was eye-opening. This book by Jacqueline Doherty, mother of famed indie rocker Pete Doherty details her struggles with the torment she and her husband Peter Doherty Snr face having to deal with their sons ongoing battle with drug addiction. It is awful that with the intrusion of the media that this Peter Problem as they called it can't be dealt with in peace. As of right now Pete seems to be recovering in France in a relationship with a member of his new band Putra Madre. The main thing to do is be supportive in these situations and be forgiving for what they put you through. Very sad reading but helps you understand the impact addicts families go through. Highly recommended

[Lewis Birrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting at points but got a bit too bogged down in philosophy and Christianity – which wasn’t really what I was there for. It’s perhaps more a book aimed at families affected by addiction, than those looking for empirical insights on Pete Doherty.

At 200-odd pages, it’s a decent enough read for fans of Libertines/Babyshambles or Pete Doherty.

[Shelby Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you second guess what we see in social media, and it’s disheartening the ignorance some people show to others lives x

[Tabitha Whitfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much Christianity

[Alex]

Pete’s mom’s book.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a touching insight in to what it's like to watch someone you love dearly struggle with addiction. It's a relatable reminder of the lengths we go for those we love. The deeply religious nature of some sections (though admirably unapologetic) was a slight unexpected. But, if in the situation of dealing with a prodigal or an addict in the family, it's really nice to read that you're not alone with all of the pain, anxiety, and obsession.

[Mici · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book more aimed at families going through a crisis than for fans of Pete Doherty. There are very few insights into the machinations of Pete, but there is chapter after chapter on the authors relationship with her church and her own poetry. For Pete Doherty fans, there are copious childhood photos which are worth checking out.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really sad account of drug addiction from a mother's point of view. Pete Doherty's mum has written her account of his addiction and attempts to overcome this in rehab. I read this for the summer challenge- about a musician.

[Sarah Blyther · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor.
Really wanted to read about Pete.
Book should have been called 'POOR ME'

[Dominika Klekner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit neurotic, typical mummy's boy story. Still a cool info hub for Peter's fans :)

[R7835 · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a load of shit

[Meher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn.

[Nathen Fitchen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't really worth the read.