 "An Incredible, Moving Story of Pain and Triumph" | 2009-11-20 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2JKXDSZTJWCHA |
I read many of the reviews here, and many stated that once they opened the book and started reading they could not put the book down. How true this was for me also. I read the book cover-to-cover in just a few short hours. This book should be read by the abused, soon-to-be parents, teachers, social workers, police officers and those who try to understand and connect emotionally with people who have been abused. Dave Pelzer is truly an amazing person to have experienced such a horrible childhood and to have somehow managed to keep his spirit intact and shine for others to get so much inspiration. This book will take you through incredible waves of emotion. You will not want to put it down, and the experience of reading it will go with you the rest of your life.
I bought this book in an attempt to understand the trauma of my spouse, who underwent a very similar experience in her childhood. For years I failed to truly understand what she went through with her own mother. We had a very troubled time in our early years of being together. We argued constantly, and I often felt like I was constantly being tested to prove my love for her. I also wanted to know why after all the abuse and torture she experienced she would still somehow maintain any sort of relationship with her mother. I have met her mother, and I can say without a doubt she is the most evil person I have ever laid eyes on. After reading this book, I now understand.
In the simplest terms, this book gives you the closest experience you can ever imagine to feeling what it is like to be abused. From the very first page it captured my mind and soon I was shedding tears and wishing I could go back and rescue this poor boy from his monsterous mother and the father who failed to protect him. The one question this book does not provide an answer for is "Why?". We do not learn of his mother's background. There are no clues as to why she would turn from a loving, caring parent into the most horrible creature the world can imagine. There are no answers as to why she chose Dave to abuse, but treated her other children normally. There is no answer that explains why his father turned a blind eye and failed to stop it.
As much as I learned in this book about child abuse and the nature of the feelings of the abuser, I have so many questions that remain unanswered. The story is hearbreaking and disturbing, yet so very profound in the lesson that it teaches. The human spirit and the desire to survive can withstand horrific challenges. It also teaches us that the world can be a very dark place and that there are horrible things happening right now as I write this and you read it. Somewhere out there is a child or perhaps even an adult that is suffering great pain at the hands of another. They are so alone and cannot reach out to others to ask for help. If help is ever to arrive for these silent victims, it has to start by waking up and being more alert to what happens around us. The story of this poor child being tortured at the hands of his mother could be playing out right next door to your very own house. |
| |
| "A heartbreaking story of triumph" | 2009-11-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: AQADKZ39Q5J1R |
This is a heartbreaking memoir about a young boy looking for love. His violently abusive mother beats him constantly, with the stench of alcohol in her breath, while his so called "hero" of a dad and four brothers refuse to help. After David runs to school every day, because his mother won't give him a ride. The school nurse examines him one day and notices all of his cuts and bruises. Even though the nurse thinks that his mother is abusive, David, out of fear, will not tell the family's secret. One day, David's mother pulls his arm out of his socket. When she takes David to the hospital, she lies and says he fell out of bed but that she was too late to try to catch him. It seems that the more she hurts David, the better liar she gets. But that's not even the half of it. David's nightmare is the worst case of child abuse I have ever heard of.
Even though the book was sad, it had to be one of the most inspiring memoirs I have ever read. David Pelzer must be the BRAVEST person I will ever hear about! Out of five stars, I would definitely give this book five, even though I want to give it more! I think this book should be for kids 12 + because it is violent and really sad. It could scare little kids and they might not really understand it. For people that are over 12, you will love it! I've only read it once, but I could read it over and over again.
Another memoir of a chaotic childhood that leads to triumph, which I absolutely loved (I bought it after seeing Dave Pelzer's endorsement on the cover) is I Love Yous Are for White People: A Memoir (P.S.) |
| |
| "Very good book" | 2009-10-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A40TPDQW338XX |
| A Child Called "It" was a very good, fast read. It is a very thought provoking story that made me stop and think about how greatful I have been to lead the life I have and not have to go throught all the punishment that this boy did that he didn't deserve. Had wanted to read this story for quite sometime, but when they had this book on my daughter's list of books they were going to read in class I knew I had to read it. I am soo glad I did. |
| |
| "A Must Read......." | 2009-10-25 |
| - Reviewed By User: A211PGPQMXCEJZ |
| This book,is one that I could not put down.I was done with this book in 4 hours.A GREAT book.Everyone should read it.Dave Pelzer is very inspiring and I commend him for sharing his life with the world.Can't waite to read the rest of his books.I rate this book 10 Stars. |
| |
| "TOO HEART-WRENCHING TO WANT TO READ IT AGAIN!" | 2009-10-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2A8Y9SBRHVSRI |
| This is the most horrifying book I think I've ever read! Another THE GLASS CASTLE account of dysfunctional upbringing! This just beats all I've ever read as far as insane abuse and pure torture...and the abuser being the mother is just too inconceivable to me! Yes! I agree with David, the author, the abused! Why didn't God help him???? Just heart-wrenching! I'm glad I read it but this is one I guarantee I will not read again!!! It's too painful to live through the experience again! Bless David Pelzer! He deserves to be sitting by God's side, beside Jesus, for all eternity!!! It's brilliantly done!.......Another book I read recently that is a totally different kind of book, EXPLOSION IN PARIS by Linda Masemore Pirrung. I fell in love with this book and this is one I WILL read again because of the beautiful storyline.....EXPLOSION IN PARIS |
| |
| "HEART-WRENCHING!!!" | 2009-10-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2A8Y9SBRHVSRI |
| This is the most horrifying book I think I've ever read! Another THE GLASS CASTLE account of dysfunctional upbringing! This just beats all I've ever read as far as insane abuse and pure torture...and the abuser being the mother is just too inconceivable to me! Yes! I agree with David, the author, the abused! Why didn't God help him???? Just heart-wrenching! I'm glad I read it but this is one I guarantee I will not read again!!! It's too painful to live through the experience again! Bless David Pelzer! He deserves to be sitting by God's side, beside Jesus, for all eternity!!! It's brilliantly done!.......Another book I read recently that is a totally different kind of book, EXPLOSION IN PARIS by Linda Masemore Pirrung. I fell in love with this book and this is one I WILL read again because of the beautiful storyline.....EXPLOSION IN PARIS |
| |
Expedited Available
