When Dave Pelzer was four years old, his mother started to mentally and physically abuse him. His mother was not always mean, she turned mean when she began drinking. If he didn't do his chores he would be severely punished. For example, if he did not do the dishes, he would not eat for that night. He is not an only child. His mother was nice to his brothers. Sometimes, if he's lucky, he will get leftovers from his brothers. His father is nice, it is just his mother who is mean. He was taught how to lie in case a teacher asked about his bruises during school. The beginning of the book talks about how he left the household and became free. A teacher told a policeman and the policeman took him away from his evil mother.
His mother even went so far as to make him eat his baby brother's fecal matter. Also she tried to burn him using the stove, but he managed to delay her burning him until his brother got home. The argument is that kids should be treated nice and respected. They are the future of a nation. Do we want to be a nation of child beaters or a nation of nice, caring people. I know what my answer is, do you?
I could not put this book down. It is essentially a page turner. I personally enjoyed it and yet it sickened me about how there can be people that cruel in this world. It showed me that not all parents are kind and loving. Some are beating children daily. There is probably a child being beaten right now. I think everybody should read this book to show them not everyone has a great family life. Be thankful for what you have. If you're an abused child there is still hope. I believe the abuses in this book were premeditated; In order to lock a child in a bathroom with chemicals takes prior planning. This is a really good book and I would hope I have the same amount of will power in me as he had in himself.
I believe the author achieved his response if it was to appeal to readers' emotions. His writing was very effective and showed me that there are kids being beat in what seems like everyday families. His book was very powerful .It was a sad book. I personally did not think the book was difficult others might think it was. This book was not beautiful but it was not supposed to be. This book has many strengths and not many weaknesses. This book is one of the best books I have ever read. I think the only reason the author was allowed to write this was because it was an autobiography. I agree with the author's arguments they are strong and have good points. I found this book to be very interesting.
It was no where close to being dull. The book was very moving in emotional response. It was really powerful. I think every one should read this book when they reach an age that they can handle and understand it.
