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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.

The Book

Time Warner Audio
2005
Audiobook - 3 CDs (abridged)
1-58621-718-6
Non-fiction - a memoir
More at Amazon.com 

Excerpt

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The Reviewer

Patty Foster
Reviewed 2005
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© 2005 MyShelf.com