What do you think?
Rate this book
Sway
As seen on Glenn Beck and The Story with Martha MacCallum!
“I was only nine years old, but I knew what death was. It was the end. When it came to my dad though, no amount of rational thought could outweigh my feelings. I watched the footage over and over again, trying to validate my hopes and dreams, believing there was a minute possibility he made it out of the building alive.”
After his father died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center, nine-year-old Matthew John Bocchi began an obsessive quest to find out exactly how he died. He researched video tapes, pictures, blogs, anything that could potentially answer the question looming in his mind: was his father one of the jumpers? In the first memoir told by a child of 9/11, Matt intimately delves into the psychological and emotional torment that ensued after his father’s death. With heartbreaking vulnerability, he details how his incessant quest resulted in a devastating act of violence that stripped his innocence as a young man. As Matt spirals down a bottomless pit of drug abuse, he willfully risks his life in search of the next high—all in an attempt to forget his past.
Now at twenty-eight years old and sober, he recounts his unique story—one full of heartbreak and despair, grief and uncertainty, but most importantly, happiness and hope. The lesson he teaches us is clear but intricate: No matter how far you fall, you can always rise again. No matter how far you stray, you can always find your way home. And no matter how wide you sway, you can always pick up the pieces and stand tall.
“I was only nine years old, but I knew what death was. It was the end. When it came to my dad though, no amount of rational thought could outweigh my feelings. I watched the footage over and over again, trying to validate my hopes and dreams, believing there was a minute possibility he made it out of the building alive.”
After his father died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center, nine-year-old Matthew John Bocchi began an obsessive quest to find out exactly how he died. He researched video tapes, pictures, blogs, anything that could potentially answer the question looming in his mind: was his father one of the jumpers? In the first memoir told by a child of 9/11, Matt intimately delves into the psychological and emotional torment that ensued after his father’s death. With heartbreaking vulnerability, he details how his incessant quest resulted in a devastating act of violence that stripped his innocence as a young man. As Matt spirals down a bottomless pit of drug abuse, he willfully risks his life in search of the next high—all in an attempt to forget his past.
Now at twenty-eight years old and sober, he recounts his unique story—one full of heartbreak and despair, grief and uncertainty, but most importantly, happiness and hope. The lesson he teaches us is clear but intricate: No matter how far you fall, you can always rise again. No matter how far you stray, you can always find your way home. And no matter how wide you sway, you can always pick up the pieces and stand tall.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published September 8, 2020
63 people are currently reading
917 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 17, 2020
This book is written by my childhood next door neighbor whose father died on 9/11. I remember it as vividly now as I did 19 years ago. Matt’s memoir is powerful and real. I remember his drawings he described when we took him out for dinner after 9/11. I am so grateful that Matt has overcome all of the things he has and know his dad is smiling down and flying around protecting him every day. Love you Matt!!!
August 29, 2020
I received an advance copy from the publisher, and instantly knew this book would be in my wheelhouse. It deals with a tragic death, abuse, addiction and recovery.
Matthew John Bocchi was nine years old when his father was killed in 9/11. That moment left Bocchi with a lot of questions. He was lost. He became obsessed with the idea his father had been one of the WTC jumpers. He turned to someone close and that person betrayed him in one of the worst ways possible. Bocchi spiraled out of control into a world of pills, alcohol and weed. That led him to betraying his closest family members as he put his own life on the line, all to try to avoid his past.
Bocchi is not a professional writer. There are times in his story when he makes jumps in time and breezes over things. I found myself at times thinking about how I’d rewrite something or add more context then I reminded myself he’s sharing his story, which took a tremendous amount of coverage. By the end, I realized the unpolished copy better served the story because it his story. After years of lies, he’s was being open and honest. That’s no easy feat.
Stray is gritty. It’s sad. It’s dark. It’s real. It’s about losing yourself and then finding the strength to recover and then find a balance in a tough world.
Matthew John Bocchi was nine years old when his father was killed in 9/11. That moment left Bocchi with a lot of questions. He was lost. He became obsessed with the idea his father had been one of the WTC jumpers. He turned to someone close and that person betrayed him in one of the worst ways possible. Bocchi spiraled out of control into a world of pills, alcohol and weed. That led him to betraying his closest family members as he put his own life on the line, all to try to avoid his past.
Bocchi is not a professional writer. There are times in his story when he makes jumps in time and breezes over things. I found myself at times thinking about how I’d rewrite something or add more context then I reminded myself he’s sharing his story, which took a tremendous amount of coverage. By the end, I realized the unpolished copy better served the story because it his story. After years of lies, he’s was being open and honest. That’s no easy feat.
Stray is gritty. It’s sad. It’s dark. It’s real. It’s about losing yourself and then finding the strength to recover and then find a balance in a tough world.
December 16, 2020
The part about digging him out and each time I heard it, I sensed a smidgen of conviction slipping away. What struck me was the consensus that my father was somewhere beneath all the steel and smoke and throat-choking dust now on the ground. I didn't think my dad was under all that rubble. I knew he found a way out before the building fell. How would he breathe with all that dust and steel covering him?
This beautifully penned memoir is about how the author lost his father in 9/11 and eventually spiralled into a cycle of grief and abuse. The book's themes include drug abuse, sexual abuse and can be pretty graphic at various places.
It's a difficult memoir, because the pain that MJB suffered is real and there was also a person who preyed on this pain, this loss. The memoir talks about how he dealt with the loss over the period of his lifetime till date.
I really loved the honesty and conviction with which the memoir was written, it's a very raw and a graphic one.
Highly recommended!
This beautifully penned memoir is about how the author lost his father in 9/11 and eventually spiralled into a cycle of grief and abuse. The book's themes include drug abuse, sexual abuse and can be pretty graphic at various places.
It's a difficult memoir, because the pain that MJB suffered is real and there was also a person who preyed on this pain, this loss. The memoir talks about how he dealt with the loss over the period of his lifetime till date.
I really loved the honesty and conviction with which the memoir was written, it's a very raw and a graphic one.
Highly recommended!
October 31, 2020
Like most of us, I've been haunted by 9/11 since it happened and always thought that I could not imagine how it actually must have been for the victims and their families. This book gives you a small glimpse into what it was like for a young boy to have lost his father in such a horrific and public way. I applaud Matthew for writing this book and in so doing, facing his demons, voicing publicly his abuse from a trusted adult, making his way through addiction, and fighting for his life every single day while trying to live without his father. I must admit yelling at the audio book when his mother continued to throw money at him when he was obviously an addict, but maybe she should write her own book from her perspective because I know her journey must have been another kind of hell. The writing is not always up to snuff with lots of repetition and missing parts, but that's really not as important as the voicing of his story. Major kudos to Matt for his recovery and his persistence in getting this published. Stay well, young man. I'm sure your dad is so very proud of you.
October 6, 2020
Wow! This is a powerful book and I felt I was on an emotional rollercoaster. It is a story about his journey through childhood and beyond. An honest and at times very disturbing recollection of Matthew's journey to find peace.
January 25, 2021
Sway is a beautiful memoir. This book's crafting is exceptional, all of it—the way the author goes back and forth in time, the language, and the immediacy. I loved it and couldn't put it down until I had read every single word.
This was the first book I have ever read from a child's perspective about losing a parent on 9/11 and its impact on his life. So many times, I just wanted to reach out and hug the author. I was impressed by his constant resilience in the face of 9/11, sexual abuse, and drug addiction.
After losing my best friend on 9/11, I think the only perk, perhaps, of that tragedy is that it caused so many people to find their real purpose. And I think that's the best ending to any story.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/mat...
This was the first book I have ever read from a child's perspective about losing a parent on 9/11 and its impact on his life. So many times, I just wanted to reach out and hug the author. I was impressed by his constant resilience in the face of 9/11, sexual abuse, and drug addiction.
After losing my best friend on 9/11, I think the only perk, perhaps, of that tragedy is that it caused so many people to find their real purpose. And I think that's the best ending to any story.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/mat...
November 28, 2020
Emotionally charged. Raw, honest and incredibly insightful.
I read this book in 2 days and I am typically a slow reader. The pages turned fast because the writer tugged at my heart. Matt is a brave, resilient, vulnerable person. I felt so many emotions reading about his dad, uncle's and mom that I had to take a deep breaths at times. I'm encouraged by his strength and appreciate his need to want to share his story in an effort to provide hope and healing to people trying to overcome adversity. I respect this author, his story, and will recommend this book. God Bless Matthew B.
I read this book in 2 days and I am typically a slow reader. The pages turned fast because the writer tugged at my heart. Matt is a brave, resilient, vulnerable person. I felt so many emotions reading about his dad, uncle's and mom that I had to take a deep breaths at times. I'm encouraged by his strength and appreciate his need to want to share his story in an effort to provide hope and healing to people trying to overcome adversity. I respect this author, his story, and will recommend this book. God Bless Matthew B.
September 23, 2020
An awesome listen (Audible) that was a learning experience about the trials and tribulations of those left behind by the 9/11 terror attacks. Box hi does an outstanding job of tapping into his emotions as he tries to deal with the myriad of issues the attacks left on an impressionable 9 year old. Truly one of the better memoirs I have ever heard. Must read!!!
November 21, 2020
A gut wrenching memoir that takes you on a brutally honest trip from tragedy to rock bottom, to redemption. It was hard to put the book down. It is written as in a conversational way that pulls you in and keeps you hooked until the end.
June 6, 2021
Yes I read this in two hours. Gutwrenching and I almost cried on the beach twice but if anyone had a reason to use drugs... He's so honest with himself and the reader. My friend growing up knew the family, his grandparents went to my church and his dad was from my town.
September 20, 2020
You won’t be able to put this book down. A brave, raw story about love, loss, addiction and triumph. Beautifully written.
October 6, 2021
A very real and hard to read story about sexual abuse and addiction and less about 9/11.
September 13, 2021
On September 11th, 2001, Matt who was only 9 years old, lost his dad. His dad was working in The World Trade Center. Matt went on a quest to find out his fathers last moments. He watched countless hours of 9/11 footage and read anything he could get his hands on. He asked his mom and uncle about their last phone calls with his dad, more than once. Matt just had to know exactly how he died. Along the way Matt turned to drugs. Drugs helped him so he couldn’t feel any pain, and soon he became an addict. In this book, Matt talks about the struggles he faced: by losing his dad in such a tragic way, being sexually abused, and fighting his addiction.
I saw this book on social media and had to read it. Matt’s memoir is the first book told by a child of 9/11. In this book Matt was open, honest, and raw. He wasn’t afraid to show the bad shit he went through. He put all of his demons on the table. He shared his fight with addiction and his journey to peace and sobriety. I’m glad I found this book and read it.
I saw this book on social media and had to read it. Matt’s memoir is the first book told by a child of 9/11. In this book Matt was open, honest, and raw. He wasn’t afraid to show the bad shit he went through. He put all of his demons on the table. He shared his fight with addiction and his journey to peace and sobriety. I’m glad I found this book and read it.
July 3, 2021
Sway is a beautiful and incredibly powerful memoir about Matthew John Bocci, who, at the tender age of nine, lost his father on 9/11 and spiraled into a cycle of grief and abuse.
This memoir is a difficult one. It’s raw and emotional. A whirlwind of emotions to say the least. I cried, I got angry, I got even more angry, and by the time the book ended, I wanted to give Matthew the biggest hug. *sends virtual hug* I found myself rooting so hard for him as if he was my own friend/family member.
I’m inspired by Matthew’s strength and willingness to share his story and provide help and encouragement to those trying to overcome their battles. No matter how far you fall, you can always rise again.
Thank you Matthew for gifting me a copy of this book. I’m honored to have read your story.
**TW: sexual child abuse, alcohol/ drug addiction and abuse.
This memoir is a difficult one. It’s raw and emotional. A whirlwind of emotions to say the least. I cried, I got angry, I got even more angry, and by the time the book ended, I wanted to give Matthew the biggest hug. *sends virtual hug* I found myself rooting so hard for him as if he was my own friend/family member.
I’m inspired by Matthew’s strength and willingness to share his story and provide help and encouragement to those trying to overcome their battles. No matter how far you fall, you can always rise again.
Thank you Matthew for gifting me a copy of this book. I’m honored to have read your story.
**TW: sexual child abuse, alcohol/ drug addiction and abuse.
November 21, 2021
A sad memoir about a young man who lost his father on 9/11. He was obsessed with his father’s death and how he died. I did learn some macabre facts I hadnt read anywhere else.
January 4, 2024
More about addiction than finding out about his dad. Still a decent book. Warning to others there is descriptive sexual assault talked about and graphic descriptions of 9/11 victims
June 9, 2021
Wow. This book is tough to write a review for, because words don’t really seem to do the emotions it evoked any sort of justice. Having gone to college with Matt, I knew him on the “superficial, party friends” level. I just assumed I knew him - Kind. Funny. Fun.
Matt has always been a great guy. But from start to finish, this book shows how much depth, heartbreak, turmoil, and strength there really is behind the layers that make people who they are. The vulnerability shared here is rare. And honestly beautiful. I could talk about this book for hours, but just do yourself a favor and read it - whether you know Matt or not. It left me feeling raw, cracked open, and inspired all at the same time.
It also served as a little reminder that as much as we think we may “know” someone, we truly have no idea what they may be going through. Be patient. Be kind. Be caring. Be supportive. Also, if you’re struggling, be open. Be vulnerable. Ask for help. Idk, all the things. Just read this. Everyone should.
Matt, if you ever see this - this is amazing. The world is going to benefit so much from you sharing this. Damn.
Matt has always been a great guy. But from start to finish, this book shows how much depth, heartbreak, turmoil, and strength there really is behind the layers that make people who they are. The vulnerability shared here is rare. And honestly beautiful. I could talk about this book for hours, but just do yourself a favor and read it - whether you know Matt or not. It left me feeling raw, cracked open, and inspired all at the same time.
It also served as a little reminder that as much as we think we may “know” someone, we truly have no idea what they may be going through. Be patient. Be kind. Be caring. Be supportive. Also, if you’re struggling, be open. Be vulnerable. Ask for help. Idk, all the things. Just read this. Everyone should.
Matt, if you ever see this - this is amazing. The world is going to benefit so much from you sharing this. Damn.
September 15, 2020
I could not put this book down. This is a heartbreaking story and the first one written by a child who lost someone in 9/11. Matthew gives a heart wrenching account of his thoughts and trials but ultimately the story provides great inspiration. Definitely a must read!!
January 23, 2021
This book was inspiring and heartwarming. Matthew was dealt a tough hand for any child to bear and he has come out on top. I wish you all the best, Matthew.
October 12, 2024
This is the story of the author. Matthew was only 9 years old when his father was killed in the 9/11 attacks. His father - who worked on the 105th floor was above where the planes hit and knew he would never make it out. However - Matthew and his three brothers - never could understand why. At such a young age, they thought their father would walk through the door at any minute. Once Matthew's father was confirmed dead, Matthew started down a rabbit hole of trying to figure out what happened to his father. He became obsessed with watching videos of jumpers - tryings to see if one was his father. In the midst of his grief, a family member who he trusted took his innocence and that, along with the death of his father, sent Matthew down a path of personal distruction. He spent years uner a fog of drugs and alcohol being well into his 20s before he got help.
This is a hard book to review. Matthew sustained a terrible trauma with the death of his father and the abuse from an uncle that his path didn't surprise me all that much. His mother was trying to hold herself together and that of his younger brothers (one that was only a few months old when 9/11 happened) that I think Matthew's struggle got easily overlooked. Matthew was an adult before he told someone about the abuse. I was happy to hear that he finally got the help he needed and has been in recovery for a few years now. I hope it takes. The downside for me of this book was there was just page after page of drug abuse. It started strong in the beginning of his tale of what happened after 9/11. But I don't think there is enough substance of this book to make me give it higher than 3 stars because it was just endless drugs. And while that was obviously his story, it just got to be overwhelming and I was hoping to read more about his family or his brothers. It could be that they asked not to be a part of it - who knows.
Tragic story. I hope his path forward continues to improve.
This is a hard book to review. Matthew sustained a terrible trauma with the death of his father and the abuse from an uncle that his path didn't surprise me all that much. His mother was trying to hold herself together and that of his younger brothers (one that was only a few months old when 9/11 happened) that I think Matthew's struggle got easily overlooked. Matthew was an adult before he told someone about the abuse. I was happy to hear that he finally got the help he needed and has been in recovery for a few years now. I hope it takes. The downside for me of this book was there was just page after page of drug abuse. It started strong in the beginning of his tale of what happened after 9/11. But I don't think there is enough substance of this book to make me give it higher than 3 stars because it was just endless drugs. And while that was obviously his story, it just got to be overwhelming and I was hoping to read more about his family or his brothers. It could be that they asked not to be a part of it - who knows.
Tragic story. I hope his path forward continues to improve.
February 23, 2022
An excellent book that shares the raw experience of living a life with grief, trauma, deception, love, and resilience. I recommend you give the gift of reading this book to yourself. We can all learn from Matthew's appreciation of his giving and sharing of life's vulnerabilities and hope.
As seen on Glenn Beck and The Story with Martha MacCallum!
“I was only nine years old, but I knew what death was. It was the end. When it came to my dad though, no amount of rational thought could outweigh my feelings. I watched the footage over and over again, trying to validate my hopes and dreams, believing there was a minute possibility he made it out of the building alive.”
After his father died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center, nine-year-old Matthew John Bocchi began an obsessive quest to find out exactly how he died. He researched videotapes, pictures, blogs, anything that could potentially answer the question looming in his mind: was his father one of the jumpers? In the first memoir told by a child of 9/11, Matt intimately delves into the psychological and emotional torment that ensued after his father’s death. With heartbreaking vulnerability, he details how his incessant quest resulted in a devastating act of violence that stripped his innocence as a young man. As Matt spirals down a bottomless pit of drug abuse, he willfully risks his life in search of the next high—all in an attempt to forget his past.
Now at twenty-eight years old and sober, he recounts his unique story—one full of heartbreak and despair, grief and uncertainty, but most importantly, happiness and hope. The lesson he teaches us is clear but intricate: No matter how far you fall, you can always rise again. No matter how far you stray, you can always find your way home. And no matter how wide you sway, you can always pick up the pieces and stand tall."
As seen on Glenn Beck and The Story with Martha MacCallum!
“I was only nine years old, but I knew what death was. It was the end. When it came to my dad though, no amount of rational thought could outweigh my feelings. I watched the footage over and over again, trying to validate my hopes and dreams, believing there was a minute possibility he made it out of the building alive.”
After his father died on 9/11 in the World Trade Center, nine-year-old Matthew John Bocchi began an obsessive quest to find out exactly how he died. He researched videotapes, pictures, blogs, anything that could potentially answer the question looming in his mind: was his father one of the jumpers? In the first memoir told by a child of 9/11, Matt intimately delves into the psychological and emotional torment that ensued after his father’s death. With heartbreaking vulnerability, he details how his incessant quest resulted in a devastating act of violence that stripped his innocence as a young man. As Matt spirals down a bottomless pit of drug abuse, he willfully risks his life in search of the next high—all in an attempt to forget his past.
Now at twenty-eight years old and sober, he recounts his unique story—one full of heartbreak and despair, grief and uncertainty, but most importantly, happiness and hope. The lesson he teaches us is clear but intricate: No matter how far you fall, you can always rise again. No matter how far you stray, you can always find your way home. And no matter how wide you sway, you can always pick up the pieces and stand tall."
September 7, 2024
Sway is about Matthew John Bocchi, who lost his father on 9/11.
This book is a raw and gutwrenching look at how Matthew grappled with the tragic death of his father, his obsession with 9/11 and trying piece together the day he lost his dad compounded by sexual assault by a family member and how he succumbs to addiction to avoid the pain of dealing with his dad's death as well as the pain of sexual assault that is inflicted upon him by a trusted family member.
Bacchi was able to get sober and confront his abuser. At this time, he has been sober for 9 years.
Quote from the book that I love ~
~I like to believe that everything happens for a reason. I fight my demons one day at a time, and I forgive myself and others as I search for my place in the world. I learn from my blunders, and I’ve learned that the sum of these days makes a life. Some days, we are untouched by life, and some days, we are pushed and pulled by forces outside of our control. We need to stand our ground and sway… to bend and lean and wobble to let time, gravity, and momentum work magic. Then, when we are ready, strong and clear, stand straight and tall and move forward.~
An emotionally impactful book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is a raw and gutwrenching look at how Matthew grappled with the tragic death of his father, his obsession with 9/11 and trying piece together the day he lost his dad compounded by sexual assault by a family member and how he succumbs to addiction to avoid the pain of dealing with his dad's death as well as the pain of sexual assault that is inflicted upon him by a trusted family member.
Bacchi was able to get sober and confront his abuser. At this time, he has been sober for 9 years.
Quote from the book that I love ~
~I like to believe that everything happens for a reason. I fight my demons one day at a time, and I forgive myself and others as I search for my place in the world. I learn from my blunders, and I’ve learned that the sum of these days makes a life. Some days, we are untouched by life, and some days, we are pushed and pulled by forces outside of our control. We need to stand our ground and sway… to bend and lean and wobble to let time, gravity, and momentum work magic. Then, when we are ready, strong and clear, stand straight and tall and move forward.~
An emotionally impactful book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 15, 2025
3.5
I wanted to rate this higher because the subject matter is so important and the story truly deserves to be told. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t. If the author had hired a ghostwriter or even worked with a stronger editor, this could have been a much better book.
The writing structure is rough, and the inconsistencies in facts made it hard to stay engaged—honestly, it was difficult to get past chapter one. For example, one sentence mentions “it had been 10 years…,” and just a few lines later, the timeline changes to 15 years. Issues like this happened often enough to pull me completely out of the story.
And that’s the frustrating part, because the story itself is powerful: a child losing his father in a traumatic way, the spiral that followed, and the long, painful road to rebuilding his life. It’s compelling, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring.
The book contains graphic, vivid details that can be tough to read, but the emotional weight is real. Sadly, the writing—overly detailed in the wrong places, contradictory in others—kept me from giving it the rating I wish I could.
I wanted to rate this higher because the subject matter is so important and the story truly deserves to be told. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t. If the author had hired a ghostwriter or even worked with a stronger editor, this could have been a much better book.
The writing structure is rough, and the inconsistencies in facts made it hard to stay engaged—honestly, it was difficult to get past chapter one. For example, one sentence mentions “it had been 10 years…,” and just a few lines later, the timeline changes to 15 years. Issues like this happened often enough to pull me completely out of the story.
And that’s the frustrating part, because the story itself is powerful: a child losing his father in a traumatic way, the spiral that followed, and the long, painful road to rebuilding his life. It’s compelling, heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring.
The book contains graphic, vivid details that can be tough to read, but the emotional weight is real. Sadly, the writing—overly detailed in the wrong places, contradictory in others—kept me from giving it the rating I wish I could.
January 17, 2024
Wonderful book and such a beautiful tribute to Matthew’s father who lost his life during the 9/11 attacks - but also such a terribly sad story of how one traumatic event was the catalyst for a series of other traumatic events, starting in childhood and permeating every stage of his life thereafter. It’s beautifully told and Matthew shares his experience in a totally raw and honest way. The book has a very distinct beginning, middle and end - with the “punch line” being that you can pull yourself out of the deepest darkness with the right support and determination. It’s a story of self discovery and courage.
It is easy to forget that it wasn’t just the victims themselves who lost their lives in 9/11; it was friends, families, colleagues and bystanders who also felt the trauma and had their lives shattered. This book helps to unpick that and some of the feelings experienced by those who lost.
Trigger warning - the book includes reference to sexual abuse, death (in quite detail) and drug abuse.
It is easy to forget that it wasn’t just the victims themselves who lost their lives in 9/11; it was friends, families, colleagues and bystanders who also felt the trauma and had their lives shattered. This book helps to unpick that and some of the feelings experienced by those who lost.
Trigger warning - the book includes reference to sexual abuse, death (in quite detail) and drug abuse.
September 15, 2023
Reading this book was a lot like watching The Whale for the first time, inspiring tears and shame and contempt and fury, a raw unfiltered account of what transpired. Through it all, the author stresses honesty, demonstrating how lies and denial feeds addictive energies. In the end, he overcomes with the light of truth, proving what happened and tricking his predator with terrifying cleverness. In my humble opinion, this memoir is significant to contemporary culture, addressing a number of social issues that are rampant today, including and especially the systemic shaming of straight men who suffered abuse. Statistically speaking, the vast majority of addicts are victims of trauma. In such cases, one might say it's an arrested spiritual journey. Luckily for Matthew, a spiritual experience is precisely what drove him to sobriety. Let's hope that he continues to sway with the music of life. God/Gods/Goddesses bless this beautiful man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2023
I found this book the way I find many— on a list of disturbing books. However I don’t know if I’d call this disturbing in the way most books in those lists are. This book is heart wrenching and stomach churning. It handles a lot of heavy subject matter, only one piece being 9/11 and the description of wreckage from the scene as the narrator tries to decipher if any remains are those of his father.
While this book starts with a heavy focus on the events of 9/11, the main focus is on the life of Bocci and how losing his father in the tragedy effected him. And how he was able to gain hope and understand his father was with him in hard moments throughout his journey towards recovery. Overall? I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t have the stomach to handle heavy topics. But it’s ending sentiments are truly something.
While this book starts with a heavy focus on the events of 9/11, the main focus is on the life of Bocci and how losing his father in the tragedy effected him. And how he was able to gain hope and understand his father was with him in hard moments throughout his journey towards recovery. Overall? I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t have the stomach to handle heavy topics. But it’s ending sentiments are truly something.
November 26, 2021
What a most excellent read. I could not put this book down. Great story, gritty and raw. I found myself shaking my head at things he would do and how much drugs he took and lived to tell about it. He lost his father in the 9/11 disaster and was tormented and obsessed about how his father died, what events took place causing his death. The cover will have meaning once you get into this book.
I highly recommend this book if you want to know the awful side of addiction. Be warned though it is very raw and not for the faint-hearted. It kept my interest the whole way through and can't wait to read more from this new author.
I highly recommend this book if you want to know the awful side of addiction. Be warned though it is very raw and not for the faint-hearted. It kept my interest the whole way through and can't wait to read more from this new author.
August 30, 2023
Well how to start this one.. The story is about a young person who, like many other kids, lost their parents in the September 11 terror attacks. It shows how much pain and sadness this day brought to lots of American families, and what came after. The book tells a really strong story that teaches us how tough it can be to get through hard times. It's not only about the sadness of losing loved ones but also about how difficult it is to move forward. The story shows how people can find strength even when things seem really hard. In a world that changed a lot after September 11, this book reminds us that people can be really strong even when they go through really tough things.
February 4, 2024
A brave and brutally honest memoir about trauma and loss. This would be a good book to discuss some of the interrelated issues of how we collectively hold trauma and how vulnerable victims and survivors of significant events (be it a terrorist attack or natural disaster) are likely to be revictimized due to their increased vulnerability. Bocchi's narrative style is not my favorite but I think it's very effective and unsparing in how he describes his grief process and addiction. I think we absolutely need honest narratives like Bocchi's as we continue to face national health crises around opioid addiction and mental health.
August 5, 2024
Captivating from the very start. Matthew’s parallel of feeling the One World Trade Center building his father worked in sway as a kid when he would visit, and the notion of standing your ground and swaying through being “pushed and pulled by forces outside our control” is so powerful. I don’t know you at all, Matthew, nor did I know your father—but I can feel it in my bones that he is more proud of you than you could ever imagine.
If you’re looking for a sign to get sober, this is it.
I hope you either find it in this book or simply by reading that line I wrote just before this one.
If you’re looking for a sign to get sober, this is it.
I hope you either find it in this book or simply by reading that line I wrote just before this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews