a Child Called It, a book by Dave Pelzer
“A child called it, a book about a young boy and his will to survive.” This
sentence was written on the back of this book, and it immediately grabbed my
attention. This book, based on the true story of Dave Pelzer, covers the younger
years of the author, in which he was heavily abused by his own mother in the
most cruel some ways. She no longer saw him as a boy, nor as a child, but as an
“it”. This book is part of a four books series and covers the first years of his life.
the storyline:
Dave Pelzer is born in a family of five. He has a loving mother and father and two
brothers. Everything is going well, until one day, his mother makes a complete 180
degree turn in her personality. She took it on herself to use a lot of discipline on her
children, but mostly on one of them, Dave. Their relationship soon changed from
discipline to a lifestyle that was out of control. She started to come up with worse
and worse punishments and she never missed an opportunity to make sure he knew
that he wasn’t wanted. This started to develop further and further, until she one day
even stabbed her own child with a kitchen knife, made him drink bleach and nearly
made him suffocate by making her own “gas-chamber” in the bathroom. And even
though this was all happening, and he was just a child, he felt the need to survive
and also, surprisingly enough, the need to protect his mother.
I think this is one of the most touching stories I’ve ever read. It is so beautiful, also
heart wrenching, to see the little ways in which a child can find hope in this situation.
He was really young, as described in the book it seemed like he was still in primary
school while this was all happening. I love how it shows both the absolutely
horrifying sight and the loving sight of the relationship with his mother, but also
with his family. Because even though his mother treats him horribly and no one in
his family seems to care, he still loves his family and wants to protect them from
everything and stay with them, no matter what.
Pacing:
the book was well written in the way that it always had another interesting facet
around the corner. I also found that the flashbacks really helped to make the pacing
faster, and it was a very clever way to give some background information as well.
Sometimes there was a moment that could have been a little less detailed, but
definitely not an issue that would cost a star.
About books based on true events:
I really enjoyed this book, which isn’t usually the case when it is based on a true
story, especially not when it is this accurately written. But Dave has written this book
in a very unique way. He did keep the facts in there and it is actually kind of an
autobiography, but it is written as fiction. What I mean when I say this, is that it was
“A child called it, a book about a young boy and his will to survive.” This
sentence was written on the back of this book, and it immediately grabbed my
attention. This book, based on the true story of Dave Pelzer, covers the younger
years of the author, in which he was heavily abused by his own mother in the
most cruel some ways. She no longer saw him as a boy, nor as a child, but as an
“it”. This book is part of a four books series and covers the first years of his life.
the storyline:
Dave Pelzer is born in a family of five. He has a loving mother and father and two
brothers. Everything is going well, until one day, his mother makes a complete 180
degree turn in her personality. She took it on herself to use a lot of discipline on her
children, but mostly on one of them, Dave. Their relationship soon changed from
discipline to a lifestyle that was out of control. She started to come up with worse
and worse punishments and she never missed an opportunity to make sure he knew
that he wasn’t wanted. This started to develop further and further, until she one day
even stabbed her own child with a kitchen knife, made him drink bleach and nearly
made him suffocate by making her own “gas-chamber” in the bathroom. And even
though this was all happening, and he was just a child, he felt the need to survive
and also, surprisingly enough, the need to protect his mother.
I think this is one of the most touching stories I’ve ever read. It is so beautiful, also
heart wrenching, to see the little ways in which a child can find hope in this situation.
He was really young, as described in the book it seemed like he was still in primary
school while this was all happening. I love how it shows both the absolutely
horrifying sight and the loving sight of the relationship with his mother, but also
with his family. Because even though his mother treats him horribly and no one in
his family seems to care, he still loves his family and wants to protect them from
everything and stay with them, no matter what.
Pacing:
the book was well written in the way that it always had another interesting facet
around the corner. I also found that the flashbacks really helped to make the pacing
faster, and it was a very clever way to give some background information as well.
Sometimes there was a moment that could have been a little less detailed, but
definitely not an issue that would cost a star.
About books based on true events:
I really enjoyed this book, which isn’t usually the case when it is based on a true
story, especially not when it is this accurately written. But Dave has written this book
in a very unique way. He did keep the facts in there and it is actually kind of an
autobiography, but it is written as fiction. What I mean when I say this, is that it was
