I read this book last night, and it's just amazing. No book has ever had an impact on me like that before. I'm still sad and kind of distraught over it. It's a true story, about the third worst case of child abuse ever recorded in California.

The author writes of his childhood, living with an alcoholic abusive mother who made him an outcast of the family. Daily she would beat him, refused to feed him, made him do constant chores around the house with unreasonable time frames to do them in. She would get him to do the dishes in 20 minutes. One second more, and it was another meal that he was not allowed to have. When he did eat, it was nothing more than leftovers that even the dog wouldn't eat. He would dig in the garbage can for food, and when his mother found out, she sprinkled the garbage with amonia.

Of course there's a lot more than that, and it gets much much worse. This poor little boy wanted nothing more than to be loved -- but was instead a prisoner, a slave.

It is such an emotional story, that I had to put the book down several times to let myself cry. I think this is a book everyone should read. It makes you understand just a little what some children in the world are going through.

I highly recommend it. It's an easy read, and once you start you will not be able to put it down, guaranteed.

God, I don't think I am emotionally ready for that book right now...

have read all 3 he made, they are amazing

he has just brought out his 4th which i bought lastnight

I read this two years ago when my mother reccomended it to me. I could still recite some of it word for word.

But is it a true story? All of the siblings claim it's false, it never happened. Fiction. And some of it is a little far-fetched. None the less, it's a real eye opener and things like that happen by the day all over the world. I'm just skeptical of this account.

Dissy, read the sequels. I haven't read a man named Dave but the sequel (forget the title) is VERY good.

I'm actually halfway through 'The Lost Boy' right now. It's just as amazing as the first.

Walken, it is a true story. 100%.

no they dont

one of his brother has brought out his own book about what happened

he was thr brother who was abused instead when david was taken away

I beleive it is a half-truth. Parts are exaggerated, some may be made up. He was abused, but I don't think this book is a reliable source on that. Not only is it bias, but there are some severe inconsistencies within the three.

Just my oppinion.

Of course there's going to be some inconsistencies with the brothers who just watched him get abused. Things are always twisted and turned, especially by the abusers.

I want to read it, i mean there's really no reason not to considering it can be read in a night.
I'm just not sure how well i'll handle it.

I didn't read the book, but I watched David's interview on Oprah, I think last year. It was horrible and emo. The sad part is his case is the 3rd worst in the state of CA... there are a couple kids out there that had it worse then him... (not sure how, his mom was a sociopathic b*tch) He talked about growing up, going to school and how he overcame it all. Truely an inspiring guy.

Child abuse is an awful awful thing, regardless of if it's exaggerated or not. It sickens me to the very pit of my soul that children out there think the kind of things detailed in this book are the norm.

Regardless, i thank you all for understanding that this is a difficult topic to discuss, in a book or otherwise, and to please respect the sore feelings of other members with regards to the issues covered in the book.

She isn't a sociopath.

Yeah... I went a little over-board expressing myself there. She just was so horrible to her own child. Its sad to hear about.

Dis, have you only read a child called it? There are 3 books in this series.

A Child Called It
The Lost Boy
A Man Named Dave (on re-reading the topic, I now see you are reading the others lol sorry)

All are very good, and heart rendering. I've also just read The Little Prisoner by Jane Elliott

QUOTE

An inspirational true story of a 4 year old girl who fell into the power of a man whose evil knew no bounds. She encountered terrifying mental and physical torture from her psychopathic stepfather for a period of 17 years until she managed to break free

Although, I will say.... if you are easily upset, I would strongly recommend you skip this book, it is HIGHLY emotional and sad. Hard to believe such things go on in the world we live in

QUOTE

I beleive it is a half-truth. Parts are exaggerated, some may be made up. He was abused, but I don't think this book is a reliable source on that. Not only is it bias, but there are some severe inconsistencies within the three.

Sorry but I can't actually believe you are questioning this?! Dave Pelzer's is one of the worst known child abuse cases.

I have to agree with you Dis... once you start readin git, it's very difficult to put down. But mentally, like you say, you need a break from it. What this man went through as a child, is simply unthinkable

I actually already finished The Lost Boy. My friend has the third book, I'll borrow it from her.

I have to admit, I only read half of the 3rd book, I lost interest in it.

I'm really not a reading person. In fact, in my 26 years, I can honestly say I have probably only read about 15 to 20 books from start to finish. I get bored easily!!

But the first 2 of these books got me.

The 2nd book was pretty sad as well, but it wasn't as gut-wrenching as the first one.

Some of these child abuse cases are just..... insane. It's so terribly sad. It made me think of all these other cases I've heard in the news over the years. It just made me so sad.

All I can ask is... How the heck can a person do anything like this to another human being.... Let alone a mother to her own son, her flesh and blood, the baby she nurtured in the womb until birth, then cared for (or not in this case).

How can someone do anything like this to anyone else and not have such an overpowering bad conscience.

The only thing I can think of is what I think kratos meant - she was/is psychopathic.

I think that's what you mean kratos? If not, sorry lol! But yer, I can only think this is a semi-decent explanation. I just feel for Dave in that his parents really weren't brought to justice, as far as I am aware, correct me if I am wrong anyone?

Edit - Tsk @ typos!

She wasn't a psychopath or a sociopath (they are the same thing). She was an alcoholic. Mr. Pelzer said at the end of 'The Lost Boy' that he had asked her why all that had happened, and she told him. He says that he feels sorry for her, but didn't reveal what she said. I suspect that she must have experienced some abuse of her own as well.

It does happen often that one child is abused and the others aren't. Most of the cases that I have read up on, the abusers do have one or more 'favorites' who manage to avoid the abuse. I'll have to ask my friend about why that happens (she is a child and youth worker).

I can understand what you are saying, but being an alcoholic doesnt justify what she did, and certainly doesn't stop her knowing right from wrong.

My ex girlfriend talked about this book all the time.

I'm sure its good an all, but since she mentioned it I won't read it.

Just thought I would let you all know.

I saw him on Oprah ages ago as well. His story then had me in tears.

Hey Dis

I have attempted to read this book over the past couple of years but just cannot bring myself to do it. Knowing through the media the whole tragic and sad tale behind it I don't think I could emotionally cope with it. I think it would make me far too sad and upset.

Any form of child abuse has to be the worst thing that could happen to a vulnerable and innocent life. (I am in tears now just thinking about that book.) Its great that he shares his stories with others so that people are made aware, that is very important and he is an incredibly brave individual for sharing this.

I never said alcoholism justified what she did, but obviously there are physiological and psychological factors that would cause her to act this way.


Lottie, I know what you mean, it's incredibly hard to read the book. I couldn't really cope with it, but I felt that if he could live through it, then I could at least read about it. I would have felt bad if I didn't.

I've read all 3 of Pelzer's story (yet to read the latest), and yes, Lottie, whilst the story as it unfolds is horrible, sad, twisted and nauseatingly incredible, it's ultimate message is one of strength, hope and survival.

Pelzer is an amazing man. Even years on, he found it in his heart to forgive his mother, recognising that her own problems were a result of her childhood too, for which she had no recourse or help in overcoming.

He forgave his father for not stepping in and being the "hero" Pelzer so desperately dreamed he was. He forgave his mother and loved her til her death.

Pelzer is an example to us all. I admire him a lot. As I admire any survivor of situations where human depravity and social injustice are rife. To have come through it such a loving and forgiving man, wow, that takes my breath away.

By the way, just a tidbit of info here: in the UK 1 in 4 children have suffered abuse of a sexual nature alone - higher within the disabled community. The figure is higher for other forms of abuse (such as Pelzer suffered).

Makes you think, doesn't it?