The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon - Book Review

The Burn Journals is a true story. Brent Runyon was fourteen years old when he set himself on fire. It was a deliberate attempt at suicide. And not his first attempt either.

People often wonder what could be so bad for a teenager to want to end their life. What problems could they possibly have? We tend to forget the power of raging hormones and emotions that are so intense they can't be tamed. Teenagers don't have it as easy as some like to believe. They suffer from stress, anxiety and depression just like adults do. As this book demonstrates.

The Burn Journals is the story of Brent Runyon's journey to recovery after being burned. Brent suffered second and third degree burns of partial and full thickness to over eighty-five percent of his body. He was taken to the Children's Hospital where he spent four months being looked after by doctors, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists and occupational therapists.

Nurses cleaned his wounds daily which was very painful. The physical and occupational therapists assisted him to move again as his skin grafts were limiting his range of movement. Psychologists merely angered him. He didn't believe he had a problem, so they couldn't help him, and were a waste of his time. Doctors made him better by performing skin graft operations even if they caused him more pain. And his friends were very supportive and sent cards, letters and made him tapes to lift his spirits.

When the four months were up Brent moved to duPont, a rehabilitation hospital, for 3 months. There he continued his physical therapy and saw three different psychologists during his short stay. He liked none of them. He believed they ask the wrong questions so wouldn't be able to help him.

Next Brent went home for a little while. He attended physical therapy at a local elementary school and went back to the Children's Hospital for some of this therapy also. A tutor came to his home to help him catch up on his school work. Once again Brent had an aversion to his psychologist.

As Brent's body healed he realised that why he burnt himself had become less of a big deal.

Dominion Hospital Day Treatment Program was Brent's last stop for treatment. There he was treated for his mental problems. He stayed there for about two months. It seemed to have helped Brent as when he left there he went back to school. He was away from school for almost a year so going back was scary for him.

Throughout this book Brent uses humour in the form of sarcasm to cope with his ordeal. The book is very well written. It is easy to feel the moments Brent is anxious and the moments he is feeling awkward. Swear words are liberally sprinkled throughout and Brent goes into some very graphic detail about toileting and masturbation. So if these topics are likely to offend, best not read this book. For everyone else it is very easy to get hooked and want to keep reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I give it four out of five stars.