The unrelenting grace that surrounds Hunter Biden, the prodigal son.

[pnwmom]

A review of Beautiful Things: A Memoir by Hunter Biden.

https://www.ncronline.org/culture/book-reviews/hunter-bidens-memoir-evokes-comparison-prodigal-son-parable

BY YASHI PHOUGAT

There has been one book that has shaped my view of integrating my faith with my political interest, and — unlikely as it may sound — it is Hunter Biden's Beautiful Things. When I first started telling this to close friends and my university classmates, they chuckled. "The oldest president in history's crack addict son? Have you completely lost it?"

That reaction is warranted. Hunter Biden himself admitted this strangeness. In the book's prologue he writes, "Mine is an unlikely résumé for this sort of confession. Believe me, I get it."

In the same way, I understand friends' reactions when I speak about how Biden's memoir touched me. His story is complicated in a way that news headlines don't communicate. But through reading Biden's own telling of the pain in his life with an open heart, I learned about the unrelenting grace that surrounds America's prodigal son.

(snip)

The writer of the review, Yashi Phougat, is a student at Boston College.

Yashi Phougat is a senior studying communication at Boston College. Originally from Indiana, she was selected to be a Social Fellow at Boston College, creating digital content for @bostoncollege on Instagram and helping launch @bcmessinacollege for Boston College's first associate's degree program for first-generation college students with high financial need. Additionally, she has participated and led retreats through Campus Ministry, including Kairos and Halftime, and interned for the nation's leading tax policy think tank, the Tax Foundation. She intends to work in political communications upon graduating in May 2024.

An Amazon link go the Prologue OF BEAUTIFUL THINGS:
https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Things-Memoir-Hunter-Biden/dp/1982151110/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BFDE8ZUL5MRO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bwqBlcvQMluNX581NLv5kQkejEF5sMuzOIHstLiuRPnH1kIXVpDXKyBC6HpxPDnDtSlKubXdWCUcNRNqw1nBBABQo8xwu60s_DUELPm4iP2XBjJE5ZeYRY88p71Eu5936HwbfNeFxDNpuVQfXeK5KOI4cG28Ls1Qq0y35ZnEjgNq72AygSTRzia604h37iH8CqHhvtr0UFMvgl-u7dwyIQgoK84AV6upuf819f35uEo.ELPaxKE4uM2l9AsQyytbPfIwrvwH93L2vsVoTWFMP4g&dib_tag=se&keywords=beautiful+things+a+memoir&qid=1705875064&sprefix=beautiful+things+a+memoir%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-1&asin=1982151110&revisionId=&format=4&depth=1

[cilla4progress]

1. Interesting!

Will check out article - thanks!

Ok read it...tearing up. ..

I'm not a christian and haven't read the Bible. I've heard.stories about Jesus and his message and values. There is something incredibly resonant and touching in Hunter's story. Almost mythical..biblical, dare I say.

❤️

[pnwmom]

2. You're welcome. I found it unexpectedly moving. nt

[Deuxcents]

3. As did I. Glad I clicked on

[Ocelot II]

4. The book is heartbreaking, and what the GOP House is obviously trying to do

to Hunter now - break him so he starts using again, in order to hurt his father - is despicable and infuriating.

[Irish_Dem]

5. The article brought tears to my eye.

And there are only a few paragraphs from the book.
The entire book must be very moving.

[pnwmom]

6. A senior at Boston College wrote the piece, and it has convinced me

to buy a book I never intended to buy.

[Irish_Dem]

7. I'm thinking the same thing.

I need to read this book.

Also saying a Hail Mary has saved my bacon on more than one occasion,
so I know what Hunter means when he references that prayer.

[pnwmom]

8. Me, too. There's something about that prayer.

And for me it also evokes memories of my grandmother praying the rosary nearby as I fell asleep.

[Irish_Dem]

10. I like praying for help from a female mother figure.

I think it is the comfort of a mother and grandmother figure.
And knowing she lost her son, she understands pain and helping others.

I remember the nuns in Catholic school when I was young saying Hail Mary's.
I looked up to the nuns, so it made an impression.

[pnwmom]

12. The idea of a loving presence was more real to me, when imagined as a Mother.

So Catholics are lucky to have that special prayer.

[Irish_Dem]

13. Yes it feels real and personal.

Praying to Jesus or a distant father God, not so much.

[JanMichael]

9. Edited to nothing.

I give up

[SYFROYH]

11. I know the Biden family loves him and will do anything for him...

...but he's a liability to this presidency.

[RainCaster]

17. I don't see it that way

Hunter is that son, cousin, brother, or nephew that we all have in our families. It makes Joe more real to see that he can be so gracious and that he presents such a strong father figure in Hunter's life. Strong doesn't mean strict in IMHO.

Many of us have our own addictions, he is not unique. I only wish my own parents had been as gracious as his dad.

[cilla4progress]

20. Only to

asshole rethugs.

[SYFROYH]

23. Maybe some independents and Democrats, too.

Joe and his son are loved here, but not necessarily among all those who lean left.

[Hekate]

14. This moved me to tears. So many of us share the pain of "lost" children...

Last edited Mon Jan 22, 2024, 01:54 AM - Edit history (1)

Rather, we have the pain in common, but shame and pain keep us silent.

Halfway through the essay the question came to me: how would I myself react if my son ever abandoned his anger and came back?

I don’t know, but for the first time since I wept when he withdrew from our lives 5 years ago, I wept for him again, my son.

Bless the author Yashi Phougat for her powerful prose, and bless the Bidens, every one.

https://www.ncronline.org/culture/book-reviews/hunter-bidens-memoir-evokes-comparison-prodigal-son-parable

[pnwmom]

16. Especially for only being a college student, she is so wise.

I hope her words reach many.

[Arazi]

15. K&R Adding the book to my reading list now

[happy feet]

19. Me too

[vanlassie]

18. I finished it in one day because it was so compelling.

What the Republicans have been doing to this sweet soul is just despicable. Such a fine family, the Bidens. We are so lucky to have Joe.

[cilla4progress]

21. Exactly how i feel

Unholy hell...

[Skittles]

22. I read the book after seeing an interview of Hunter Biden on TV

it's good - he is really, truly honest about the extreme ups and downs of his life

[shrike3]

24. Thanks for this.

The Hail Mary and the Guardian Angel prayer are two I pray when I need to calm myself.

The author writes wonderfully.