Dave PelzerGenre: Memoir
Published: 1995
Personal Rating: 5/5
Yearly Count: 3
I was mesmerized by the contents in this book that I couldn't stop listening, yet was totally appalled at what I was hearing. It contained horrific, unthinkable acts of child abuse that just broke my heart. The resilience and determination of this little boy was remarkable - a true survivor! I HAVE to read the remaining books in the trilogy: The Lost Boy and A Man Named Dave.
Last month I found this book for .25 and have since found the last one "A Man Named Dave" and am still on the lookout for The Lost Boy. I meant to put it on my memoir list but I have to check if I just thought it or did it ;)...glad to see I have good choice in reading material ;) Although you always seem to beat me to the reading part of it....I'm great at collecting it though ;)
ReplyDeleteJoy, what did you think about listening to a book on your iPod? It's something I have always wanted to try, but I haven't seen any titles that I wanted to "hear."
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Jill
http://mrstreme.livejournal.com
Danielle ~ Whether it's on your list or not, it's worth a read!
ReplyDeleteJill ~ I LOVE it! If you like memoirs, this is a perfect book to try as your first BOiPod. The narrator is Brian Keeler and he is excellent.
Stay tuned. I've decided to do a post regarding reading versus listening. :)
Wow...a 5! Sounds like a tough read, but sometimes they're the most worthwhile. I'd never heard of this, but it's definitely going on the list.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your read vs. listen post. Just a few weeks ago I tried my first audio book, but I just wasn't enjoying it. I gave up after about 3 hours. I just kept thinking, "I think I'd like this better if I was reading it." But it was scientific with lots of stuff I was just learning for the first time, and figured I'd be getting a lot more out of it if I could read passages over. So it probably just wasn't the right book to try. I'm sure I'll give it a shot again soon.
I've read all of these books, and they are all very compelling. It's amazing that anyone could survive the kind of abuse Dave went through, let alone become a successful, loving father and person. He's an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDebi ~ "Compelling" as Susan stated (comment below yours) is exactly right. That's a huge reason why I gave it a 5. I HAD to keep listening. Thank goodness I had the time. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for audio books, I hope to address what you mentioned in my post.
Susan ~ I look forward to the next two!
I remember reading this book shortly after it's first publication. It was well written, yet so appauling. It's so hard to fatham why anyone would do those things to anyone or thing, let alone a child!
ReplyDeleteTeddy Rose ~ Yes, any kind of child abuse is repulsing. I'm so thankful he is using his life to educating others.
ReplyDeleteI read the series when I was in high school. I remember being so engrossed in the first but being disappointed with the rest of the series. Will look out for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteNessie ~ Well...hello there! It's nice to see you again.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll put a little time between them so that I don't have the rush(?) from this one to taint my feelings.
I read this one a while back and found it so touching and heart wrenching. I cannot imagine living such an existence. The author should be incredibly proud of how far he has come in life!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, just wanted to say that I LOVE your blog!!! What a wealth of info!!
April ~ Thank you so much for the compliment. It warmed my heart. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for Dave, it takes one strong person to pick themselves up from what he experienced. I can't wait to learn more about him in the other books. I just don't know when! Grrr.
I remembered reading this book and feeling totally horrified by the abuse Dave was subjected to. They were totally inhumane. A great biography!
ReplyDeleteSandra ~ Have you read the others? I discovered that there are 3 more, not just 2!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why my students like to read about abuse so much, but they are constantly asking for this one. Since it's an 8th grade novel, I don't have it, but hand them Don't Hurt Laurie instead.
ReplyDeleteMs. Yingling ~ I often wonder why I like to read murder mysteries/thrillers. Yikes! The answer I give to myself is that it is the curiosity factor that takes over. I want to know about stuff that I don't already know that has either a connection to me or something I enjoy. (Thrillers usually provide some type of chase, which is what I love.) With that in mind, I'm guessing the students connect with Pelzer as a child. They can relate and are in awe of his perseverance. The good news about the Pelzer books is that he shares a fabulous ending. It gives us all courage to make it - even under dire situations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!