About a year or so ago someone wrote me and told me that One Boy’s Struggle would become a cult classic. As per the usual with me I didn’t pay that complement much attention (yep – A.D.D.). It was a complement, right? Then a few weeks ago someone else wrote me and said nearly the same thing and then again, just last week yet another person called it a cult classic. The latest person didn’t even say it would be or could be, she said it is a cult classic! She was pretty much a-matter-of-fact about it.
Okay, now I am starting to pay attention. I decided to look up ‘cult classic’ in the dictionary, or rather, Google, and this is what I found:
Cult Classic – allwords.com: ‘A work of fiction that is extremely popular with a select audience but may or may not be successful at the time of the work’s original publication.’ also: ‘has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans’ Wikipedia
The first thoughts that came to mind when I read the definitions is that One Boy’s Struggle is not fiction and the word ‘cult’ doesn’t seem complementary. One Boy’s Struggle is a memoir and therefore, non-fiction and it isn’t a movie. I know, a bit picky of me, but we ADDers tend to be perfectionists to a fault. However, if I ignore my uncertainty for the word ‘cult’ and get past the ‘fiction’ part and put in ‘non-fiction’ the definition is pretty much true.
There really is no other book like One Boy’s Struggle either. Not dealing with ADHD, PTSD, a child’s struggle into adulthood and beyond, or much less anything else for that matter. How could there be? It is the story of my life, after all. It is a story of hope, spawned from tragedy, but it is not a novel or a character driven play. It is the assemblage of real life notes of a life that was in jeopardy, from someone who was trying to figure it all out and put his life (back) together.
Still, I have discovered something else and because of what I have discovered I can no longer be entirely certain that it is the story of my life anymore. No, I haven’t gone crazy, in fact, quite the opposite. Things are clearer for me today than they ever have been and I must admit, I give special thanks to the readers of One Boy’s Struggle, because, it is not simply my story anymore. It is your story too. So many people have written me asking if I am their long lost twin or relative. Even people who do not agree with everything I write concerning ADHD, or, my ideas, but they relate to the situations I lived through, my actions and my reactions and the actions and reactions of those around me who were affected by my ADD (odd) behaviors. Behaviors, which are all too common in those of us who have ADD or ADHD!
In other words I have found that, like me, a lot of other people are discovering themselves through a series of notes about a person’s life that were put together to form something of a book, but it isn’t really a book at all. And, if it is not actually a book, what is it then?
It is me and perhaps, in a chapter or more, or a few pages, or a few sentences, it is you too?
I am humbled and honored for the consideration, but I ask you: Do you think One Boy’s Struggle is a cult classic? I guess time will tell and you will be part of that telling.
I have decided to go back and write a new afterward for One Boy’s Struggle, called: 4 years later. I had also considered rewriting the book itself, a bit, to add some things people have asked me over the last few years, but after some serious consideration I have decided to allow One Boy’s Struggle to be what it is without any modifications. Besides, the rest of my story continues to be written in the books that follow and online here on ADDerWorld.com.
Thank you, dear reader, for reading my writings and being a part of my self-restoration, and perhaps yours, your partner’s or your child’s as well. I was seriously worried when I published One Boy’s Struggle that I would be cut down, criticised and further ridiculed, and to a lesser degree that has happened, but for the most part feedback has been out of this world better than I ever could have dreamed of!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!
Bryan
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When I posted the link for ADHD Can Be Sexy on my facebook page, one of my non-ADD friends said I find the most interesting books and that she wanted to read it when I was done with it. Word of mouth has made your book a “cult classic” when non-ADDers are owning up to reading it if they don’t have the disorder. I’ve noticed lately that I’m finding more and more people that have ADD or know someone w/it. In the last couple years it sort of was tight lipped unawareness keep quiet attitude about it. Hopefully this “cult classic” idea leads to more awareness of what we all go through with daily struggles.
Do I think One Boys Struggle is a cult classic? I don’t know, I know I’ve certainly lived it and can identify with a lot of the content. Does that mean all the non-ADDers are cult followers? I guess that makes us the ‘cult’. I looked up the definition of cult: a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. We are all certainly bound together by the zany actions our disorders cause.
I think I see a change coming in how others will perceive and treat us….
Bryan –
I would like to think of it as a Classic Memoir – Cult seems like everyone who reads it should drink the kool-aid or something. It is a book that makes people think and opens their eyes to different viewpoints.
You have done well and I am grateful you have been proactive enough to amass such a following on this website and your books – You help people find answers to many questions. Yo also help people understand that they are not alone in this big bad world.
Thank you,
Pat
Thank you Pat – To have my book as ‘cult’ or ‘memoir’ simply stated as a ‘classic’ is an incredible honor in of itself. After researching a bit more of why people would call anything a ‘cult’ classic I am coming to realize that it is actually one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on something from its readers, viewers, fans etc… It’s quite emotionally touching, actually.
Hi Cookie!
Seems facebook is the place to spread the word too. I am going to create an Adult ADHD can be Sexy facebook group tomorrow to announce the release, along with my announcements on ADDer World. That book is getting me so many curious emails, it’s craaazy
I guess I was stuck on the ‘cult’ part of the messages, but I do believe it is meant as a complement, don’t you? It’s not a bad thing
I hope your right about that change, but to be honest, I am starting to ‘feel’ it coming on too!
Bryan
Bryan,
Thanks for your insight! OK, based on the comments and observations you made here, “In other words I have found that, like me, a lot of other people are discovering themselves through a series of notes about a person’s life that were put together to form something of a book, but it isn’t really a book at all. And, if it is not actually a book, what is it then?
It is me and perhaps, in a chapter or more, or a few pages, or a few sentences, it is you too?”
This made me think about something I read that has really touched me AND is relevant to what you are talking about but from an even bigger big picture perspective AND I think, as someone with ADHD, could benefit from, OK:
There is another book – that as a librarian-in-training, I feel I could even recommend to folks – to read your book and this book in tandem. It is called “Peace Is Every Step” by Thich Nhat Hanh.
You said that your story is everyone’s story – which I believe too – or at least we all have similar experiences with ADHD or not. Thich Nhat Hanh talks about how when you read any word in any book that that page, those words, are all of us, not just in what is read, but in the actual paper itself as a physical product. It may sound a little abstract but it is really worth reading and comtemplating. I read daily meditations daily and it really helps me.
I feel like your book can help people understand where they’ve been, and the Peace book can help people understand and learn how to live int the present moment.
So, peace Bryan and friends!
Kerry
Thank you for stopping by and commenting Kerry. I will have to check out that book, and I already know it is a major, influential piece of literature. Thank you for the recommendation.
Hi Bryan:
I wish I would have answered your question immediately instead of “thinking it to death.”
Since I thought about it too long, my reply will be scattered and probably hard to read.
If I only know what you’ve written (of the “comments,) ” and I stick to the words in question;
cult classic I’d prefer to think of it as follows:
Cult: highly devoted but specific group of fans
Classic: something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality
BUT: If it would make you feel better; make a reference to “International Consensus Statement on ADHD ” in your next book. Let them see more extensive list of “cult members.” http://www.russellbarkley.org/adhd-consensys.htm
DSM and IDEA
You wrote “It is not simply my story anymore. It is your story too.” As a “cult member,” I say “thank you” for writing the book. And you’re right: I read a line, or paragraph, and reflect on a personal situation that would fit perfectly on the page.
You mentioned “cut down, criticised and further ridiculed, and to a lesser degree that has happenedI .” We all get it from every direction; the entire justice system and public health system in our county believes ADHD is about making bad choices; and they enforce strict punishment/reality-based treatment. It means you DO NOT PASS GO….GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL!
When you hear from naysayers, I suggest you “hear it” for all of us, just as you “write” for all of us. Don’t take it personally.
I have to get back to the book now: I won’t say what is happening (so I give nothing away.) I’m on page 99.
I’ll leave you with this thought………………. you could toss a real piece of “cult fiction” into your next book by mentioning something about the benefits of homeschooling. Then we’ll see what kind of mail you get!!!!
Donna Anderson
Thanks Donna, very interesting comment and one I had to read a few times
I like this from your comment a lot:
“~Cult: highly devoted but specific group of fans
Classic: something that is a perfect example of a particular style, something of lasting worth or with a timeless quality.~”
Perfect and your on page 99? And you already feel this way. I never imagined and I continue to be amazed.
Thank you so much,
Bryan
Hey Brian,
No I don’t think ‘cult’ is a bad way to describe us, it actually is a compliment as you say – you have a ‘cult following’ in this group. I think the word has different connotations for different people.
I think I like the word ‘classic’ better, because don’t we as ADDers imprint our lasting worth in our own zany ways upon the rest of the world? But if your books bring on discussions of ADHD and awareness, I say bring it on baby!!
I looked up ‘cult’ a bit further and found a different definition: “An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest”. I also saw some related words: fad, furor, rage, craze.
No wonder you got hate email – we hear enough of that in real life, so glad you deleted it. Did I ever mention I’m so grateful to have a place to come to where I’m free to be me?
So Cookie, so ‘cult’ and ‘classic’ work well together, hence cult classic? lol Thanks for looking into it. Once of my problems has always been taking and accepting compliments, but thanks to the ADHD community I am learning too