Must Read Autobiographies - II

A Child Called "It"

Dave Pelzer

A Child Called "It" , written by an Americal author, Dave Pelzer, was published in 1995.

A Child Called "It" is an autobiography of the author, where he describes his childhood turmoils of physical and emotional abuse suffered at the hands of his mother. His mother was mentally not stable and her conditions worsened due to absence of any treatment and her resorting to alcohol as a solace. David was the unfortunate kid on whom she took out all her rage.

Dave's life, though normal in the beginning, gradually became tortured as his mother started abusing him by not allowing him food, by not bathing him and making him walk to the school. the abuse took on a violent form, on occasions causing injuries to him. She forced him to lie to others on the reasons for his injuries and fooled the visitors from protective services.

David's father did not intervene as he was afraid of his wife. is cowed by her behavior, retreating into drink to avoid dealing with the issue; he is scared of her, and ashamed of his cowardice.

Like many abused children, Dave comes to believe that he is somehow responsible for his mother's attitude; he does not understand mental illness and at that age cannot express his feelings. Finally, after years of abuse, during which Dave's mother stabs him for not doing the dishes fast enough and his father leaves, Dave is rescued by school officials and police, who discover his home life and remove him from his mother's reach.

Years later, Dave stands with his son and realizes that his own achievements have healed his wounds, although he will never forget his story. 

Namaste

Prabir