Customer Reviews

My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Shawn Decker was interviewed for a cover story in POZ Magazine (which I founded) everyone in the office thought he was a natural comedian. He was a teenager in NYC for the first time, getting interrogated by a group of gay men with AIDS. We had fun asking him questions like if he ever tried marijuana. His reply? "no, because I am afraid it might lead to harder drugs, like AZT". My Pet Virus is Shawn's account of a childhood and young adulthood with HIV. If David Sedaris and Paula Poundstone had a love child, it would sound like Shawn Decker. But the book isn't just funny, it is insightful, moving and an extraordinary perspective on the AIDS epidemic through the eyes and experience of a young heterosexual man from Jerry Falwell country, in rural western Virginia.

This is a great book about one of the most well-adjusted people in the world. Shawn has taken what was a death sentence at one time and overcome low expectations to shed some good light on the world. Thank you for having the guts to be a regular kid in a world that wanted to hide you away. Your sense of humor and take on life is a great way to address HIV/AIDS and safe sex to the next generation. Keep up the good work!

I was expecting this book to be touching and sad. I was feeling a little down and decided, what the hell... cry a little. Um. Not so much. I realize that what the author goes through each day is very serious and I'm sure sad in it's own right. But ya know what? He is living - LIVING - proof that life goes on and you just have to keep getting on with the getting on of living life to the fullest. He's funny - oh, he's got some dark humor about him - but he's really funny. I don't think I've laughed so much at a memoir EVER.

Shawn made me laugh - and yes, cry a little - for him, for his mother, for his wife, but mostly it was tears from laughing so hard. He's a bit twisted and well, I like that.

I did, however, learn a lot about his myriad of illnesses and about what it must be like living with them. He did an amazing job of educating his readers while being entertaining. A dark, serious subject has a bit of light to it. This is an absolute wonderful read. Read it.

This is a well-written book about living with a life-threatening disease. Decker writes with humor about the fear and adjustments he and his family go through as they come to terms with his disease. At times hilarious, often poignant, I loved it. I bought it for the people I love who are going through the same thing.

I do a lot of reading, and don't always have a chance to pick up a book a second time, but I have already read and re-read My Pet Virus, and I'm hoping for a sequel. The book handles some pretty heavy subject matter with an incredible sense of humor and wit. After reading this one, you feel like you really know author Shawn Decker, and you like him.

Anyone that can make light of a deadly disease floats right up to the top of my list of favorite people. "My Pet Virus" is a deceptively easy read...one which you'll skim along the text, laughing alongside him, and then realize that there's a much bigger lesson to be gleaned. Don't let the breezy style fool you. Decker imparts a hardwon wisdom that could quite possibly make you jealous that you didn't contract a killer-disease in your youth.

Great book, Shawn is also a great speaker, if he happens to be speaking n your area go see him!

Just finished the book in one sitting and I could not put it down! Shawn and Gwenn's story is so inspiring and the book is incredibly funny!

I had seen the two of them speak while I was a student at UVA and was inspired the first time too. Shawn has been an advocate, friend, Homecoming King, musician, husband, and author in 30 years on this planet. Much more than most people will ever do in 90. Do yourself a favor and buy this book right now! And then join me in anticipation of the next one!

Despite the hardships that he has faced throughout his life Shawn Decker has shown that it is possible to be positive, happy, and accepting- even when those around him did not understand or accept him themselves. Through this book Shawn uses his humor and intelligence to teach not only about HIV but about how to be a better human. As someone who has suffered through hardships of their own I know what a difficult task this can be yet Shawn pulls it off effortlessly and with grace. This book so captured my mind and my heart I read it in one sitting. I laughed, I cried, and I learned. Everyone should read this book.

My favorite reading matter is bios and autobios, and when I heard about this book, I knew even before getting a copy I'd enjoy it. It's one of those "Oh my God I can't put it down!" reads and definitely worth re-reading... and even more importantly, TELLING ALL YOUR FRIENDS to read it! You simply gotta admire a guy with a sense of humor staring constantly into the face of death...and making you laugh along with him. And you gotta admire his mom and dad, who are two of the coolest and most loving parents on the face of the earth. And then there's Gwenn... What a lucky guy!