A Child Called "It" Review

Title of the Book: A Child Called "It"
Author: Dave Pelzer
Number of Pages: 180
Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Review: “Mother starved me for about 10 consecutive days.” This quote is from Dave Pelzer’s horrific childhood which is brought to light in the book “A Child Called It.” This true story of child abuse is extremely hard to read but well worth it. This book is much more than a book about abuse, it’s about human courage and how far a human can be pushed before breaking. The drive for survival is something every human possesses, this book shows how far that survival instinct can go. Pelzer’s awe inspiring will to live is something that is not understated in this book. No other book can have such an evil but enlightening plotline at the same time.

The worst story of child abuse in the history of California comes in the form of a book called A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer. This true story is about a child's struggle to survive his mother’s sadistic games. Once living in a happy and healthy home life, everything changes and his mother begins to abuse him to the most horrific extent possible. Although the torture he suffers would break any normal person, Pelzer’s courage and will to survive are something truly inspirational and awe inspiring. This book isn’t about torture, it’s about one child's will to survive.

This book is like no other. It is depressing, but also inspiring at the same time. The courage the author has to survive is so amazing and impressive. This book gives you two emotions at once. It’s so impressive how the author blends hope and torture into one. The Climax of this book is horrendous, but also inspiring at the same time. A quote Pelzer tells himself is a prime example of this, “No! I told myself, I don’t need that bitches help!... You cry, you die. Now take care of that wound!” Pelzer was about 8 or 9 at the time this happened. No 9 year old should have to tell themselves this.

This book is written from the first person perspective of Dave Pelzer as a child. He seems to switch between reliving the encounters and actually being there, even as an adult. However, he does this in such a clever way that it flows so well and you feel like you’re standing there watching him but there’s nothing you can do. He describes his pain, torture, hunger, and depression in such a way that you feel as if it’s happening to you, it’s gut wrenching. Especially during the moments of true torture, such as being forced to eat a used diaper, swallowing a spoonful of Ammonia, eating his own vomit, or getting his arm burnt on a gas stove. There are so much more examples but these are some of the most gruesome.

Anyone who can get their hands on this book should read it. It leaves you with questions that seem unanswerable and make you think about your own personal morals. It makes you look deep in yourself in a way you probably haven’t experienced. This book tears you down but lifts you back up. It shows so much about the human spirit and how much it can actually go through before breaking. It lifts you up with how positive this kid can be when there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a hard subject to talk about but Pelzer writes about it with such finesse that it makes it an easy topic to write about. This book is a must read.