A
Brother's Journey
Surviving
a Childhood of Abuse
By
Richard B Pelzer (co-narrator)
Narrated
By: Joshua Gates
Richard
Pelzer has added another dimension to A Child Called "It"
by his older brother, Dave Pelzer. Richard reflects on his actions
in tormenting Dave and his own abuse when his mother turns on him
and he becomes "It." This account begins when Richard
is about five years old and ends about the age of sixteen.
The
audio book begins with the author's introduction on how the book
came to be. Richard reads the preface as well as the afterward,
and his varying emotions on the secrets in his childhood home come
through. He explains that this book has been therapeutic for him
and wants to ensure that child abuse is reported and taken seriously.
This book was written over fifteen year period.
Joshua
Gates gives this book an emotional edge and makes the listener feel
Richard's pain, despair and horror at what is happening in his childhood
home. Joshua's voice reflects Richard's indecision about his participation
in tormenting Dave as he struggles with self-survival and embarrassment
at what he is doing to his brother. Some of the graphic details
are difficult to hear, but they are necessary to achieve the horror
of what happened and how so many people, including his father, knew
about the abuse, but did nothing to stop it.
There
is no sugar coating in this memoir. Richard is matter of fact in
his writing style. The memoir is chronological and reflects a child's
view on what happened. There is no attempt to justify what his mother
did or what caused her to behave this way. Also, there is no indication
as to why Dave and later Richard were chosen to be the recipients
of the abuse, while three other brothers were spared. Although the
other brothers did not receive the physical and mental abuse of
Dave and Richard, they were aware of the abuse and left the home
as soon as possible. Alcohol is mentioned frequently as one contributing
factor.
When
getting ready to listen to this audio book, have a box of tissues
available and make sure that young children are not around. This
audio book is not intended for children. You will face a wide range
of emotions from horror, disbelief and joy as Richard comes to terms
with the abuse and grows into a young man. The only thing that is
missing is the years between about sixteen until the book is published.
Maybe this will be the subject of his next book.
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