Dave Pelzer's A Child Called It

“A Child Called It” is a heart wrenching, page turner, must read, novel. Child abuse is such an important issue that needs to be spoken about, and that is just what this author did. The author of this novel, Dave Pelzer describes his own cruel life that he was subjected to from such an early age. It becomes obvious, very quick into the reading, that the author certainly went through great trauma. The visual imagery Pelzer shares, such as being forced to eat his own vomit, swallow soap, surviving in a “gas chamber,” as well having his baby brothers dirty diaper smudged in his face, makes it known that his abusive life, unfortunately really did happen. It is important to point out that there are no adjectives that can truly describe and grasp the horrible things that Pelzer was put through. However, Pelzer does not just write about all of his horrific years, he also devotes a chapter to the good years of his life. He
The way Pelzer writes made the novel easy to read and understand. However, his horrific story about his alcoholic mother made it extremely difficult to understand how an human being can be so cruel. Pelzer did an excellent job at expressing his feelings. As I was reading I felt like I was him. I felt his gradual hate for his brothers and his father. His father started off as the boy’s hero. But, Pelzer’s father neglected to do anything about his situation. Just like the author felt, I felt like his father was just as bad as his mother because he let it happen. The raw emotions Pelzer shares is one of the reasons this is such a great novel. Pelzer was honest about his jealously and dislike towards his brothers because not only did they let the torture happen, eventually they got in on it. The brothers also treated the unloved boy as an “it.” The brothers would bring their friends into the bathroom to laugh at the boy while he was submerged into the freezing cold