bops_mom's Full Review: Dave Pelzer - A Child Called "It": One Child's Cou...
Like many others who've reviewed this book, I've had A Child Called 'It' just sitting on my shelf for awhile. Why you may ask would one buy a book only to let it sit there? Well, I wanted to read this book. I wanted to read the story of this amazing man, but I knew that it wasn't going to be easy for me. Not exactly a nice, happy-go-lucky read if you know what I mean. No sweet romance, or interesting mystery here.
Finally, this afternoon I somehow managed to muster up the "courage" to read A Child Called 'It'. I think it was only because I was tired that I grabbed the book and laid down to relax. (For anyone who's read the book, you know it's impossible to be comfortable while reading this!) Horrific as it was, I devoured this book in just over an hour. I could not stop reading. I had to know what this poor child would become.
About the book
A Child Called 'It' by David Pelzer is the authors true life story about the severe child abuse he endured. It's part one in a three part series, this book covers David's life from age 4 - 12.
I'm thankful that the book starts out telling about how David was "saved". How there were actually some people who FINALLY got up the courage to do something about what was happening to him at home. Knowing that he made it out alive really helped me to get through all the terrifying abuse he endured.
Mr. Pelzer writes the story from the point of view of a child. As if was happening to him right then. He goes into some detail of the abuse... I say "some" and not "graphic" detail, because I really have the feeling that he could have written in a way that would have given us an extremely graphic portrayal of his abuse. As it was, what he did give us was bad enough. David Pelzer's abuse case is the third worse ever in California states history.
As the story starts out, David live in a nice, normal home. He's got a mom and dad who love him and two great brothers. They take vacations, have picnics, visit zoos and just love life.
Then something happens. What we don't really know. David's mom slowly snaps. She starts by beating him and blaming him for things that don't go just right. From there it escalates to what I call torture. Forcing him to swallow bleach, ammonia, baby poop and food she'd made him throw up. He was starved, turned into the family slave and was so mentally abused by his moms mind games that he really started to believe he was just an "it". He wasn't one of the family. He wasn't given new clothing to wear, he wasn't allowed to eat, he wasn't allowed to sleep in his bed any more. It's truly amazing he survived.
His mom obviously had at least one mental illness as well as being an alcoholic. His father, who at one time was his savior from his mom, also started to drink to just get away from all of this. He no longer helped David, but just stood there and let it happen.
My feelings
This story is truly horrifying. Then again, it should be. Child abuse, in any form - great or "small" is something that should not happen. I really can't say this book is for everyone. As it was, having gone though some abuse as a child myself, it was difficult to read at times. I saw myself in David. Feeling worthless and like somehow it had to be my fault. Because of this, I do think that anyone who can stomach such a tale should read A Child Called 'It' - just to know what a child really does feel like. It's not logical, but the mind games really do rule the child.
I also feel that this book should do wonders for anyone who has read it to be sure that if they even THINK a child is being abused that they would stand up for that child and not rest until they're sure the child is safe. Whether that means the child must leave their current guardian or if things really are okay at home, just see it out! Children can't stand up for themselves. They need us to help them, and as far as I'm concerned it's our responsibility as human beings to do this!
As long as I live, I will never understand how anyone could intentionally harm a child. I simply cannot comprehend it. I don't understand how a mother could do these things to her own child. And I do not understand why David was the one who took the abuse. There were other children who never had a thing happen to them. They got to keep living like normal people.... I simply do not get it.
Overall
If you can handle it, read this book. Yes, it's sickening to know that this happens, but really, we do know it happens. Because of A Child Called 'It' we can see how real it is, it's not just a few sentences in the paper or a scene in that movie. It's real life. And it effects these children for their entire lives.
David Pelzer gives hope to all formerly abused children. He overcame his horrific abuse and today is loving father of a son his own.
Dave Pelzer shares his unforgettable story of the many abuses he suffered at the hands of his alcoholic mother and the averted eyes of his neglectful ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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