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A Child Called "It": One Child (平装)
by Dave Pelzer
| Category:
Teens, Biography |
| Market price: ¥ 138.00
MSL price:
¥ 128.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A powerful book of human spirit, of a child's spirit raising from torment, surfferings, cold mother. This is not a happy book, but a book of courage. |
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AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 12 items |
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Mirope (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
Dave Pelzer shares his horrific childhood at the hands of an insanely sadistic mother in this powerful memoir. You will be shocked by the increasingly bizarre tortures his mother inflicts and amazed by David's ability to withstand it all. Ultimately, the book left me feeling frustrated - I wanted to know why David's mother singled him out for her abuse and why his father, siblings and neighbors did so little to protect him. Then I realized that these were the same frustrations David has lived with most of his life. Furthermore, it's unrealistic to expect that there could be a rational explanation. Just as David does, the reader has to accept that the abuse was senseless.
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Sandra Santacruz (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
A Child called It is a true story based on the third worst recorded case of child abuse in California history. Throughout the book David Peltzer all too vividly, sometimes frightening, and heart wrenching recalls a childhood life solely composed of mental, physical, and emotional abuse. The authors ability to illustrate and present a clear picture into the readers mind about his experiences was brilliant. Without a doubt, the author captures moments so well that it feels as if David himself is sitting beside me telling the story. I felt deeply disturbed and disgusted throughout reading the book for the senseless abuse that was forced upon him by his mother without motive. Davis upbringing made,e realize that I am fortunate to have a nurturing home that is filled with joy and happiness. Overall, the book had left me with many unanswered questions. Why was David brutally beaten and not his siblings? Did the mother have some sort of resentment towards David? What made the once nurturing mother into a wicked sick lady? It is amazing how David managed to survive and although he explains how he did it, it is unbelieveable and astonishing the inhumanity that he survived. Even more astonishing is the fact that in his adult life he has came out unscathed and has even stood out as an exempliary figure. Fortunetly, David has two more books that complete the story. One is, The Lost Boy that continues where A Child called It left off. The other, The Man Named Dave is the last book in the series. |
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
This book tells the unforgettable story of a child of severe abuse. One of the worst cases probabably within the U.S. Dave Pelzer, who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable mother, relates the story of his life. This is the first in a set of works written by Mr. Pelzer about his life. He relates to you even more about his life in his works "Lost Boy". You wonder how anyone could possibly come out of such abuse,let alone to become a respected author.
As a fan of memoirs, this is one of the most emotional books I have read. You will feel the anger and sadness...the feel of hopelessness as you read what this child had to endure. But, you also rally behind him-and await Mr. Pelzer's next books to see this courageous man overcome. Long after you have read this work, you will not be able to forget.
Along the lines of this book, "A Child Called It" and along with his other book that i have read "Lost Boy", you will also want to read "Nightmares Echo" and "Sickened". As each offers to you different perspectives of children that must endure the unbelievable and yet survive and inspire us with their works.
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Heather Gibb (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
This book is the story of David Peltzer, who at a very young age was systematically abused and tortured by his own mother while his own father and siblings stood by and watched, sometimes even inflicting there own torture on the very young lad. As a mother of two, my daughter being the same age as David was when his abuse began, I found this a truly distressing story. I had tears in my eyes as David described how his mother would gleefully play "games" with him. On one occassion attempting to burn him on a lit gas stove, on another stabbing him and then not making an attempt to seek medical help for the lad. David was forced to shut down emotionally in order to survive the horrific surroundings in which he was forced to live. From sleeping in a cold garage on an old army cot to the severe beatings which could have killed him. His story is told from the heart of a child yet we can still only begin to imagine what it must have been like to receive this sort of treatment from the one person meant to love and protect him - his mother. In The Lost boy we are taken on the journey of Davids battle to be accepted into a society which does not understand the full extent of his misery. His many foster homes and schools and his ongoing battle with his mother who even after losing her son to the state, was still determined to hurt him from a distance by attempting to have him committed. David grows from a confused frustrated young child into a struggling young adult with the foster child stigma of the times firmly attached to him. Yet he overcomes all of this to join the forces and carve a career for himself. I am now begining to read the 3rd installment of Davids life - A Man Called David and look forward to following his story further into adulthood. Never before has a book had such an impact on me and brought forth such emotions in me that I if I could foster all of the abused and neglected kids in the world I would. Davids story is an important one that everyone should read, for the plight of the small defenceless child is one we should all pay attention to and we should never be afraid to speak out against those who would do them harm.
David Pelzer suffered from and survived the third worst case of child abuse in California. After living through his nightmare, he managed to re-visit his childhood and write the autobiography in a three-book sequence. His first book titled, A Child Called "It", portrays his life from when his family life was too perfect, to when each day he woke up to fight to stay alive. Throughout the book he tells of his abuse, life at home, and his only hope of living, his father. As the story progresses and the severity of David's abuse grows worse every day, he comes to the same decision; do I fight to live or hope to die?
With the exception of the first chapter, the rest of David's life is told as a flashback. The fact that the book begins with David's rescue gives you reassuring hope that soon his torture will end. The way in which David Pelzer writes, matures at the same rate as his age and character. In many instances, this makes one feel David's pain and anguish. This technique creates an imaginary sense of friendship between the reader and David. The author builds loyalty to the reader through his narrative approach. David Pelzer is uncomplicated and innocent, just as a child would be. His genuine, child-like dialogue draws you to his life, and feeds your compassion and desire to save him.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
David was born to something commonly known as the "Perfect Family". His early childhood was spent on trips to the Golden Gate Bridge and Russian River where they would go camping for weeks at a time. He was born to a loving and devoted mother, a proud and brave father, and two brothers that only exceeded his own age by a few years. For whatever reason, he never explained what exactly had started his abuse. He mentions his parent's love of drinking, yet it was never mentioned to be at a cause of his dramatic lifestyle change. When the abuse begins, he mentions how he remembers his parents fighting. Yet even their marital issues never seemed to have gotten in the way of their love for their children. Throughout the book he never formally addresses a specific cause to the start of what he once thought would be the end of his life.
As his mother stripped him of his very own humanity, his spiritual self was all he had left to keep himself alive. His father, who he once thought would someday save him, gradually faded out of his life. When his dad finally moved out, David hated the world. He claimed that his far worst enemy was God, for not answering any of his prayers. David learned to hate anyone that knew of his situation, yet failed to help him. David Pelzer also learns to become his own hero. He knew that if he didn't have his own heard, he would die. Yet there were times when he even doubted that much.
There are points in the book where he describes waking up and hoping that today would be the day she finally killed him and woke him from his never ending nightmare. This compelling story will take its reader from heart-wrenching torture and discipline, to David Pelzer's rescue and recovery of his own life.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
I had the opportunity to see Dave at a conference and he had all of us spellbound. The fact that this atrocity had taken place is astounding enough and the fact that Dave, even as a child, had the tenactiy to endure and overcome his hellish childhood and survive is truly amazing. I have read both this book and it's sequel and I can truly say they are must read works. It is filled with personal insight to what his "life" was like and how he had the courage to endure. Not everyone who reads these books will believe his story, but I can tell you that while seeing this man before us relaying the events with such conviction and firmness with tears in his eyes made a believer out of me. No one could write books like these and call them fiction. Child abuse is real and the story Dave tells is real. If one person sees the signs after reading these I pray they too have the courage to step in and help their "Dave" out of their abusive situation. You sometimes need to "read between the lines" to find the cause for some actions as they are not clearly visible. I can't wait to get the final book in his trilogy. The saying " What doesn't kill you will make you stronger," truly fits this remarkable human and the people who helped him survive! God bless him!
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer is a heart breaking account of David's childhood. The story retells all the horrors that were brought upon him by his mother as he was growing up. Even though the book is extremely sad and depressing it is wonderfully written and entertaining. I finished the book in a 2-hour sitting, I tried to put it down but I had to see what was going to happen next.
The book opens with David getting rescued from his outrageously abusive mother, which is good because as you read the rest of the depressing pages you know that it will end sometime. All of a sudden one-day David's mother begins to abuse him. First it is just verbal and emotional, but soon it escalates into horrible physical punishments. His mother makes him eat his brother's dirty diaper, he can't eat dinner with the family, and she even stabs him one day because he didn't do the dishes on time. She plays terrible mind games with David, once she told him that his punishments were over and she loved him again. He believed her and then realized it was only an act when a social worker arrived the next day to see that everything was ok. It is amazing that David lived through all of his mothers abuse and can talk about it today.
The fact that Dave Pelzer was the author of this book makes it as good as it is. No one could have written a book about David's tragic childhood better than he. He retells of the horrible events with such accuracy and emotion that no one else could get it right. Only Dave knows what was said and how it was said. It adds a feeling to the story that makes it enjoyable to read, even though it is such a sad and depressing story.
The book reads like you are having a conversation with Dave and he is telling you the story. The story is written easily and straightforward, just about anyone who can read will be able to understand this book. The way David writes makes you feel so bad for him because he doesn't feel bad for himself. He tells how he feels about certain events but never feels bad for himself, which makes the reader more depressed for him.
This book gets a huge thumbs up. Anyone would enjoy reading this book, it has its depressing parts but you know everything turns out ok because David describes getting saved in the beginning. Even though it is terribly depressing, it is also entertaining to read, and I would recommend it to anyone.
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
I find it amusing to read the 'bad' reviews of this book. Some readers say things such as 'bad grammer', 'far-fetched', 'trying to get back at his parents' and 'lots of kids get abused, whats so great about this?' Just trying to think about how these people can believe themselves is astounding. Do they even think about what they are saying? Obviously not, either they can't think, havnt actually read the book, or are uneducated. Of course it has bad grammer...its from the perspective of a child! Far-fetched? What can't believe the human race is able to commit such cruelties? And what makes it so special? That Dave is here to talk about it today. He is ALIVE, through all the torture. Californias WORST case EVER of child abuse. Just that fact alone it amazing, to live through the worst case ever, while sometimes the first itme a child is beat, they can die.
Some people say its 'dumb', well look whoes talking! They are calling a book about a real life story of survival dumb, while they probably sit at home, on their computers, well-fed, clothed, and loved. 'It's all made up, he doesnt like his parents.' Who would EVER, i mean EVER, make up such a horrific story, at the age he is! And how did those police case files appear? The comments from his teachers who saved him? That made up to? Oh yeh...totally!
Enough about people, and back to the book. Amazing, horrific, astounding, scary, sad, depressing, shocking...just some of the word's to discribe it...One of the best books about real-life child abuse...because not many people can write about it first-hand...because most don't survive...
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A reader (MAL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
This book along with Dave's other two books are a must read! I started reading the book and in two hours I finished-I couldn't put it down. This horrifying story brought tears to my eyes more than once. I just would like to commend Dave for succeeding in his stuggles-In a civil society like ours, it's so difficult to understand the severity of child abuse and mental illness. Abusers are definitely mentally ill, in my opinion and need to be accountable for their actions - regardless. If people were more accountable to others-child abuse would hopefully decrease. As a child abuse victim; it was very difficult for me to read this book...but it was also healing. Victims of child abuse, very rarely detail the life they lived-and oftentimes remain a victim for life. It is clear to me that Dave has strong courage and a stronger will to make this world a better place-inspite of his tragic childhood. Thank you Dave for helping me to deal with the victim within myself-and to face a better tomorrow-because of your inspiring spirit. |
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Corey Roggen (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-13 00:00>
A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer is an easy read, but full of idea, advice and emotion. The book goes into detail of how a young Dave Pelzer survived in his years of torment and abuse controled by his mother. The conversation used to show how dreadful Dave's growing up was, shows the reader very specifically the events that occured in his daily life. This story is one that will make your angry at times, happy at times, and cry many times. It is an autobiography explaining how to live being raised as a slave to your own family, and the courage that Dave had to survive. It does not only tell a story, but it educates people on how to live for yourself, and value what you have. This book is short, but contains graphic abuse, given both mentally and physically. People who are not in the mood to cry, should not read this book. Middle school children through adults can read this story, but middle school children may not pick up on small writing style changes used to show Dave's change in emotion. A Child Called "It" is a "never put downer" as well as a good literary piece with a respectable theme. It is an excellent read for enjoyment or education on abusive lifestyles. A Child Called "It" was a fantastic book. |
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1 2 | Total 2 pages 12 items |
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