Beautiful Things

A Memoir

By: Hunter Biden

Narrated by: Hunter Biden

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times Best Seller

“I come from a family forged by tragedies and bound by a remarkable, unbreakable love,” Hunter Biden writes in this deeply moving and “unflinchingly honest” (Entertainment Weekly) memoir of addiction, loss, and survival.

When he was two years old, Hunter Biden was badly injured in a car accident that killed his mother and baby sister. In 2015, he suffered the devastating loss of his beloved big brother, Beau, who died of brain cancer at the age of 46. These hardships were compounded by the collapse of his marriage and a years-long battle with drug and alcohol addiction.

In Beautiful Things - “an astonishingly candid and brave book about loss, human frailty, wayward souls, and hard-fought redemption” (Dave Eggers, New York Times best-selling author) - Hunter recounts his descent into substance abuse and his tortuous path to sobriety. The story ends with where Hunter is today - a sober married man with a new baby, finally able to appreciate the beautiful things in life.

©2021 Hunter Biden. Photograph courtesy of Joe Biden. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

So painfully raw it was almost hard to listen to

I wasn't expecting Hunter Biden to be so open at just how ugly his addiction was. Not a very flattering picture many times, (he didn't try to make excuses at all). Good job on narration as well, not all authors are good narrators (and I mention this because bad narration can ruin the story).

Lots of negative reviews on Amazon from people who haven't read the book and just want to spout their political opinions. I found the book almost uncomfortably raw at times. The love and support Hunter had from his family was touching, yet it wasn't enough to help him overcome.

Also a real eye opener to just how addicting crack cocaine can be. Helped me to understand why some remain addicted even when it's costing them everything dear to them.

Recovery is a journey, not a destination

It took a lot of courage for the author to share his journey. Anyone in recovery knows we all find our recovery in different ways and at different times. It is almost impossible to pin down why it happens: genetics, life trauma, etc. All that matters is that for about 1 person in 10 it DOES happen. Once the monkey is on a person's back it's difficult to dislodge. The "drunk-a-log" or "drug-a-log" is one often heard in rehab centers and 12-step meetings. I'm a bit amazed he survived his addiction because of the extreme depths to which it took him. However, his sharing of experience, strength, and hope is what turns this into a beacon instead of a downer.

It was also nice to take a look into a loving, supportive family. Far too many people who struggle with addiction are utterly abandoned by their families. That part was meaningful. That alone is a benefit to families who have members who struggle with addiction. It's fine to "hate the addiction", but separate the problem from the person.

Worth the read.

Wishing the author many years of recovery and a brilliant future.

All around winner

I smiled and cried throughout and listened in one day. I bought the book out of idle curiosity expecting to have all
of the salacious tabloid gossip debunked. Instead I listened to a heartfelt story of love and redemption. The Biden story is heartbreaking but the love this family has for each other has allowed them to overcome tragedy and celebrate life.

Victim mentality & Wealth Privileged

I did actually buy the book on audible and keep an open mind. It is sad that he has lost family members at different stages of his life but continues to play the victim and treat himself with crack and alcohol.

This book screams victim mentality & wealth privilege. Whether he realized it or not, Daddy Joe always enabled him by using their wealth & their last name in government to bail him out. It’s so cringe worthy to hear his excuses on certain things. Just own up to it Hunter, you’re in your 50’s now, not a teenager. Get busy living, or get busy dying. However, I truly do wish Hunter’s new found love for his wife keeps him away from drugs.

Who in their right mind thinks it’s ok to start screwing your dead brothers widow? Or knocking up a stripper? (He failed to mention the latter). The Biden’s are borderline as crooked as the Clinton’s are.

Beautifully honest

What a deeply, brutal honest book. This book was really good. Keep in mind bad reviews are most likely based on a dislike of Joe Biden and politics - not the actual book. Really a great book and great audio version

sob story

she uses his misfortune and his family's loss to cover up all of his evilness

RAW AND EMOTIONAL

The love that exists in the Biden family is totally unconditional-the truth sets us all free!
All Americans (Republicans and Democrats) have family, friends and neighbors who possess these demons- President Biden and his immediate family have shown us that love, devotion and faith can help us overcome our adversities- let’s pray that Hunter and his family defy the odds- Amen!

Beautiful, Raw, Heart-wrenching

The amount of love in that family is amazing. As someone in recovery some of this was so hard to hear, but I'm glad I continued. It's astounding Hunter is still around, there must be a greater purpose for him, and this book is a start. I hope it reaches people who need to hear it. I wish Hunter all the best. He deserves it, and given the beautiful letter to Beau in the epilogue, it seems he may finally believe it himself.

Raw

Hunter Biden pulls no punches. I wish him and his family nothing but the very best life full of beautiful things.

Do Not Recommend

I am not sure what I was expecting, but I did not like the book. My perception was that it was self serving for Hunter Biden, and not sincere, and not a well written story. Telling the detailed chronicle of his addictions seemingly meant to cleanse his soul, but instead leaving you very sorry for all those who would tried to depend on him and trust him his entire life including his poor children and his deceased brother Beau's children, I also feel sorry for those like his new wife Melissa and all others who are still trying to trust or depend on him now and in the future.