Dave Pelzer writes, in three parts, of his life so far, from his days existing only as a thing under his mother’s abusive hand, to his escape, life as an adoptee, and his journey to the publishing of his books. The story of his abuse is quite heart-rending, and I think it’s been described as one of the most serious child abuses in America, or something like that. I guess it’s not just the abusing that strikes you, but it’s the fact that his mother actually denied his existence as her son, but treated him as “it” – this thing, only there to be abused and taken advantage of. It’s really quite a depraved world we live in, and the point is driven home by the horrible way he was treated in his childhood.
I would say that the first book is the most riveting, because of this, the sheer magnitude of his experiences. At the end of the first book, he’s rescued, and his life truly begins. Of course, there are episodes where the past (and the mother) comes to haunt him, even in the 3rd book, but things aren’t as shocking as in the 1st, and his straightforward style of writing, while suited and so endearing to telling a child’s point of view, loses its charm as the child grows up. I would say, read the whole trilogy for continuity, and to find out how this remarkable man made his way through the many pitfalls of life he could have stayed in. But always remember the little boy called “it” from the 1st book.
Rating: **** out of 5
