This is an autobiography/ nonfiction books that shows the abuse that Dave Pelzer went through as a child. It shows the almost-unimaginable struggles Dave Pelzer went through growing up in a home with an alcoholic mother.
When I received this book from the librarian, I thought that the book would mention something like a child being hit and yelled at, but it was more. I never imagined a person starving their child, burning them (purposely), violently punching and kicking and slapping them and dislocating their shoulder. What’s worst is that she MAKES her child make up some lame story so if anyone asked, the child would know how to answer in response. On top of that, the mother goes on living her life as if nothing had happened. Normally when you think of “mother”, none of those images come to mind. You think of loving, nurturing, tender-hearted, patient and comforting person, right?
Can you imagine living fearfully day-to-day not knowing if you’ll stay alive because you were sooooo hungry, or always having to think about what evil plan your mom has planned for you? Or sleeping in a freezing cold basement while your brothers were treated like princes and royalty? Can you imagine what it’s like being HATED by everyone in your school because you stole their food when no one was looking and you knew if you didn’t you would die? Can you even begin to picture what it’s like to have cuts, bruises, welts, scars and scrapes all around you and you can’t tell anyone?
Yeah? So the next time your mom tells you to clean you room, or she tells you that you can’t go to the REALLY important party because you have to see your family, instead of saying something like, “Why!? I HATE YOU….you ruin my life!” you might want to give her a big hug and say, “Thanks mom. I genuinely appreciate all the concerns you have for me. Thank you for loving who I amJ”.
I know this was another book I learned from. I’m one of those fortunate ones whose family shows me so much love and I don’t realize how rare it is sometimes. I have brothers and sisters all around me that care so much for me that they would jump out in front of a car to save me. My family feeds me TOO much that I might die of being overstuffed before I die of old age. My parents are soo patient and they love me unconditionally.
Let’s be thankful and live each day as if it’s our last,
The Reader
Continuation...(10/1/09)
As I was reading further into the book, the punishments became even more gruesome. How would you feel if your mother started laughing like a hyena while you were begging for food? Think about being in Dave's position always wondering "why" she treats him worst than a piece of trash, or always hoping to earn just "an ounce of respect; one little bit of dignity". Envision a your mom leading you into a bathroom and filling ammonia and Clorox together and telling you she read about it in a newspaper and the the next thing you know, she leaves the bathroom but she tells you not to open the door. You stay there and within minutes you breath in the fumes and your throat feels like it's on fire (and raw) and cough up blood. What about having to lay down (naked) and keep your head down in a ice-cold bathtub for hours until your skin gets all wrinkled and pruny?
"I felt God had hate me? What other reason could there be for a life like mine?" This made me want to start bawling my eyes out. I've had times when I thought my life was REALLY difficult but I have it really really good compared to the life of the child called "it". This was probably more of an eye-awakening book than it was sad and depressing. I know people say this all the time but we really DO have to REALIZE that things could be a lot worst and our concern is so minute compared to other things...
