This paper explains that Danielle Steel uses the format of the character's diary entries, which are confusing and very dark,
to give a graphic portrayal of what is going on inside Nick Traina's head. The author points out that the story corresponds with many theories of causation: the biological father was an addictive personality and may have suffered from depression; and many early clues to the
disease, before Nick was even four years old, were ignored by family and professionals. The paper relates that the book's depiction of the progression of the bipolar disease is very accurately portrayed, especially the
difficulties for Nick, his friends and family, and the difficulties in successfully treating it.