Leave Out the Tragic Parts

A Grandfather's Search for a Boy Lost to Addiction

By: Dave Kindred

Narrated by: Dave Kindred

This extraordinary investigation of the death of the author's grandson yields a powerful memoir of addiction, grief, and the stories we choose to tell our families and ourselves. Jared Kindred left his home and family at the age of eighteen, choosing to wander across America on freight train cars and live on the street. Addicted to alcohol most of his short life, and withholding the truth from many who loved him, he never found a way to survive. Through this ordeal, Dave Kindred's love for his grandson has never wavered. Leave Out the Tragic Parts is not merely a reflection on love and addiction and loss. It is a hard-won work of reportage, meticulously reconstructing the life Jared chose for himself--a life that rejected the comforts of civilization in favor of a chance to roam free. Kindred asks painful but important questions about the lies we tell to get along, and what binds families together or allows them to fracture. Jared's story ended in tragedy, but the act of telling it is an act of healing and redemption. This is an important book on how to love your family, from a great writer who has lived its lessons.

Critic reviews

"The title of Dave Kindred's astonishing book is precisely what he did not do. A world-class reporter used every ounce of his journalistic skills to investigate a story-the life and death of a beloved grandchild-that most of us would find daunting. But Kindred tells the story truly and with love."—David Maraniss, author of A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father

"Dave Kindred's Leave Out the Tragic Parts is a searing, terrifying, and brilliantly written book that, when I began reading one night, I couldn't put down. As a tireless researcher devoted to finding and writing the unflinching truth about his beloved grandson, Kindred brings us into a fascinating, foreign world. In his remarkable journey, he explores and communicates the bafflement, desperation, and pain experienced by anyone who loves a person with addiction, and he reminds us that reading others' stories can lead to understanding, compassion, and healing. Leave Out the Tragic Parts is a godsend for every grandparent, parent, friend, spouse, and child who loves a person with addiction. It is testament to the power of love. I believe that the greatest art can come from the greatest pain and love, and this book is pure art."—David Sheff, New York Times-bestselling author of Beautiful Boy

"Keening was the sound that confronted me on the other end of the line when Dave Kindred called to say his grandson Jared had been found dead of an overdose in a flop house in Philadelphia. The resounding howl of grief, anger, and bewilderment, would not abate until Kindred turned his consummate talents and unflinching gaze on Jared's all-too-brief life and unseemly death. Maybe, just maybe, if he could tell how the beautiful blond boy in a white tuxedo became a 'traveling kid' named Goblin-a wraithlike mess of tats and vodka-who hopped trains for a living, Jared's life would have some meaning and his grandpa would find some peace. Leave Out the Tragic Parts is a rageful lullaby of love and regret and a wonder to behold."—Jane Leavy, New York Times-bestselling author of The Big Fella

A moving story

This story was well written and moving. I can’t imagine writing something like this as a grandfather about his grandson. The pursuit of getting the details about who his grandson was on the road reveals a love worth listening about.

Careful, this story might soften your heart

A moving tribute to a grandson and an important perspective on addiction. I will be recommending this book to all my reading (and listening ) friends.

All to close to so many I one way or another

Gusty Author and a lovingGrandfather thank you for sharing! In a way it makes me appreciate life so much better than yesterday and it was a great story. Thanks

Beautiful story, beautifully written

Writing about a grandchild who died has to be one of the most difficult assignments. I almost didn’t listen to this book for fear that it would be too raw and emotionally draining. But I am so glad I took it on. It is a beautiful story without being overly sentimental. Wait, of course it’s sentimental, but it’s not exaggerated. It’s not “my perfect grandson.” It’s an honest story about one young man who had endearing attributes as well as crippling addictions. So, yes, the story is raw, but not for the purpose of exploitation, but rather the opposite. Kindred shares the story of his grandson in a way that opens our eyes to a world we knew nothing about. I don’t know how he did it, but Kindred’s dedication to unraveling his grandson’s path—and then sharing that story—is heartwarming proof of genuine love and kindness.

Amazing Book!

This book is a must for anyone trying to understand/figure out how to help a young person getting ensnared by addiction. Deeply moving, honest, and eye-opening, this book made me grow as a person.