Has anyone ever read "A child called it" by David Pelzer? Can you relate to him?

Answer 1

I read it and I can relate somewhat... because growing up I really felt like an outsider in my family but it was always just a mental thing for me... it was never like in his life where I was forced to do the things that he did and was stabbed by his mom... my life was never that bad. It is encouraging though because he came out of it and made something of himself. It goes to show that no matter how bad life can be, you can still overcome and I think that it was very brave of him to tell his story.

Answer 2

Personally, I think he was probably horribly abused, but I also think that he probably has embellished certain incidents. I also find it very hard to believe that nobody at his school, or any of the family's neighbours or relatives, actually noticed that of all the Pelzer children, Dave was the only one covered in bruises, wearing filthy, ripped clothes that were three sizes too small. The fact also remains that he has made a lot of money out of his story, and continues to do so. The worse the incidents in his books, the more money he makes. I do think he had a horrific childhood at the hands of an abusive mother - after all, he was removed from the family, and that doesn't just happen for no reason, and the behaviour of his mother as alleged in the book also fits pretty well with a particular type of personality disorder that she may have had - but I suspect that some of the *specific details* have been exaggerated or fabricated. Having said all that, we can only speculate and guess. Only he really knows what's true and what isn't.

Answer 3

I read that book and the others he wrote regarding his life growing up. I can't say I relate to it, but I was disgusted by it to the point where some parts made me cry. When he was taken away, his mother turned on another one of his brothers with the abuse. She was a nutcase and the father was spineless...both were alcoholics.

Answer 4

I can't specifically relate to that but when i was in a foster home
because my parents died the foster parents abused me to the point were i thought i was dead,
and then they never let me eat with there really kids never let me play they locked me in the garage for weeks with out food i ate out of garbage cans they only brought me in for money then when i found my really parents they were not dead my parents were on drugs and my real brother was disabled (drugs during pregnancy) and so my dad would make him suck the lolly pop until it was all gone and took advantage of him we barley ever had food if we did my parents didn't let me have enough food i had to steal food from people in order to live until when i was 10 i went to school and they found out about my home life and then they let me live in an orphanage which was not the greatest and we had to steal food to eat and if were caught the lady made us throw it up and if we begged to much she made us eat the throw up ( i think she was inspired to do that from this book we found her reading this book frquently) and so i ran away worked on the streets at Mcdonalds untill i had enough money to go to collage now i am a well known medical doctor in california and i have 1 kid that i adopted and love truley i hope you were inspired by my awfully long story

Answer 5

I remember reading this book but can't relate because my childhood was never this bad. I actually had a great childhood compared to him. The only bad thing in my childhood was that my mothers second husband molested my older sister and I. So that is minimal compared to his.

Answer 6

It was a good book, very inspirational about the human spirit. Its a shame that these things can happen in society. Can't say that I relate to him specifically, as the Hell he went through is something I could only try to comprehend.

Answer 7

Yes, I've read a few books by him. He's not much of a writer, but his story is heartbreaking. I cannot relate to him as far as abuse is concerned but I can relate to his hopelessness and vulnerability. He was let down by people who should have been protecting him.

Answer 8

My ex-wife tried to get me to read it once because she said it 'sounded like' my childhood, but I never did. From what she told me about it, I can gather it's a sob-story, whether real or fictional, that, although I'm sure is moving and eye-opening and all that crap, I would not be interested in. From what she's told me, I think i caught the live show, but the key to 'abuse' is how you take it.

Answer 9

yes, it is a good book. Another must read is When Rabbit Howls by Truddi Chase.
If nothing else these books will make you want to be more active in child abuse issues.

Answer 10

I've read it - as well as the follow-up books. Very sad! No, I can't relate as I had a wonderful childhood.