Although the beginning of the book starts out with David being brought to safety, the end of the book is a surprise. Why? Because although the book was not very long, the story itself felt so manipulating and elongated. I almost started to forget that the beginning of the book guaranteed David actually survives.
But, I am glad he does. And the best part about the end is he finally starts to believe in
G-d again. I was not surprised that he ended up having a life and a family with a child of his own. He is definitely going to be a love parent because of the loveless child hood he endured.
My one worry is that he may be overprotective. His fear of his child getting hurt may cause him to say not allow him to date, or near other family members. It is like a protective mother of her son going off to college and saying that she will always love him more than any other girl ever could. It is sweet, but can be creepy.
My hopes for David are that he does not live in denial because he wrote the book to prove it. And, I also hope he doesn’t not feel sorry for himself because what he went through was terrible and took up his entire childhood. I have a feeling that he might live vicariously through his son for a while, but that is ok. As long as he deals with life as it is at his current older age, David is free to see himself in his son… imagine himself in his son’s shoes surrounded by love.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Child Callled It 5
When David says that not only does he hate his mother but his brothers and his father, I can't help but side with him. He has all the right too. They say that people that do evil things and people that watch evil things be done but don't do anything to stop them are both just as terrible people. And, I agree.
David's father has all the right to be scared of David's mother, but I just do not understand how it ever got to the point where he started being scared of her. Usually, the man in the relationship scares the woman, just due to their natural masculine, aggressive natures. So when did the father "loose the pants" in this family? I have no idea.
If only the brothers did not take after both of their parents. David used to play with his brothers and they used to actually have a relationship. Did they never miss David? Did they never care enough to ask, “Why is David getting hurt and not me?” You would have thought since they were older maybe they would have understood what was going on. David, who was younger, caught on quicker. Either his brothers knew what was going on and were too scared to stop it, or did not understand. Their mother could have brainwashed them, but I am still disappointed in them. Little boys are supposed to be little rebels. What happened to these cowards?
I wonder if David will ever be able to forgive his brothers. I myself have trouble apologizing and forgiving. If it were me, I probably would not have enough time to forgive them because it would take a long time.
David's father has all the right to be scared of David's mother, but I just do not understand how it ever got to the point where he started being scared of her. Usually, the man in the relationship scares the woman, just due to their natural masculine, aggressive natures. So when did the father "loose the pants" in this family? I have no idea.
If only the brothers did not take after both of their parents. David used to play with his brothers and they used to actually have a relationship. Did they never miss David? Did they never care enough to ask, “Why is David getting hurt and not me?” You would have thought since they were older maybe they would have understood what was going on. David, who was younger, caught on quicker. Either his brothers knew what was going on and were too scared to stop it, or did not understand. Their mother could have brainwashed them, but I am still disappointed in them. Little boys are supposed to be little rebels. What happened to these cowards?
I wonder if David will ever be able to forgive his brothers. I myself have trouble apologizing and forgiving. If it were me, I probably would not have enough time to forgive them because it would take a long time.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A Child Called It 4
David starts to lose faith in his power to survive, so so do I. It is sad to see him come so far with such determination and then all of a sudden start to give up. What he does not seem to realize is that him giving up makes him stronger. Maybe he is not giving up on survival, but giving up on winning his mother's love and affection. I think he is maturing in that he realizes his life is more important than love from someone that hurts you so much. I hope that by the end of this book, he realizes that he does not need his mother to love him and that there will be other people out there that will love him.
When David says that he does not believe in G-d anymore, nor does he love but loathe his mother I am almost in shock. Such a young boy has learned so fast. I feel so sad for him when he says that he does not believe in G-d anymore. It is understandable that if there was a G-d, wouldn't he have protected David and children like him?
My hopes for this book are that by the end, David starts to believe in G-d again. Also, that he learns that there is love in the world and it is not wrong to want to be loved. Hopefully, his brothers or father will grow a pair and help him. I have high hopes for his youngest brother because David loves him so much.
When David says that he does not believe in G-d anymore, nor does he love but loathe his mother I am almost in shock. Such a young boy has learned so fast. I feel so sad for him when he says that he does not believe in G-d anymore. It is understandable that if there was a G-d, wouldn't he have protected David and children like him?
My hopes for this book are that by the end, David starts to believe in G-d again. Also, that he learns that there is love in the world and it is not wrong to want to be loved. Hopefully, his brothers or father will grow a pair and help him. I have high hopes for his youngest brother because David loves him so much.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
A Child Called it 3
David's mother does not only physically abuse him, but she mentally scars him. She tells him she does not nor can she ever love him. I can not imagine. Taking a moment to appreciate having a sanction of unconditional love, I must say how lucky I am. It is too horrible. Too horrible.
If you ever feel unappreciative, read this book. David's failure to obtain love from his family will make you go up to your parents and kiss them. And maybe, for the first time in like 12 years you will let grandma and grandpa do the same, or call you a short nickname. It is not selfish of you. David would want you to. Looking at the cover again, I feel dissatisfied with the portrayed image. So I do kind of judge books by their cover. We would all be hypocrites of we tried to say we did not. Smooth hardbacks or papery flimsy covers. I bet that if they were the same price anyone would choose a hardcover over a soft cover. This might not make much sense, but for some reason I could not really imagine this book in a hardcover. It would just look really harsh.
I used to think that I wanted to be the designer of book covers… pick the “it” graphic for the cover that could just say it all by the end of a book. But, after being in scribbler and seeing how much work it is to crop photos and what not, I do not think I could take it, really. And, the fact that I can not even draw or take good pictures probably limits my design eye. So, maybe this cover is not as bad as I think it is. Besides, it is the least important part of this story, really.
If you ever feel unappreciative, read this book. David's failure to obtain love from his family will make you go up to your parents and kiss them. And maybe, for the first time in like 12 years you will let grandma and grandpa do the same, or call you a short nickname. It is not selfish of you. David would want you to. Looking at the cover again, I feel dissatisfied with the portrayed image. So I do kind of judge books by their cover. We would all be hypocrites of we tried to say we did not. Smooth hardbacks or papery flimsy covers. I bet that if they were the same price anyone would choose a hardcover over a soft cover. This might not make much sense, but for some reason I could not really imagine this book in a hardcover. It would just look really harsh.
I used to think that I wanted to be the designer of book covers… pick the “it” graphic for the cover that could just say it all by the end of a book. But, after being in scribbler and seeing how much work it is to crop photos and what not, I do not think I could take it, really. And, the fact that I can not even draw or take good pictures probably limits my design eye. So, maybe this cover is not as bad as I think it is. Besides, it is the least important part of this story, really.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Child Called it 2
David is abused. You would not think the story would go that direction after the way the first chapter started out. His family sounded like these perfect glass box figurines. Mother: homemaker. Father: firefighter. Come on. What a hot couple?
What went wrong?
There is never any excuse for child abuse. An inability to control alcohol use is a ridiculous cop out. Their family sounded so perfect, so fun. Going to the park, doing different projects all the time. We were kids once! How many different "projects" did our moms ever have to cook up for us so that we felt needed? So many. David's mother did the same, and at the same time it feels like she was doing them for herself. Although she was not lonely with her sons at home all day, still she lacked real adult interaction on a daily basis. So, these projects or adventures she did for and with the kids, she quickly seems to be enjoying and learning to take part in for herself. Maybe, even too much. The perfectionist thing is kind of worrying me a little bit.
And, that must be it... mixed with alcohol.
Now I see what my mom was talking about. Part of me wishes I never read this book. But, I have already read some of it, meaning I am already feeling some of the pain. So, what is the point in not going on? Apparently, there is kind of a happy ending. Maybe I kind of deserve to read that. I know, if anyone deserves anything it is David that deserves a new life. But, since he can not have one yet, at least, let’s see him make something out of this one.
What went wrong?
There is never any excuse for child abuse. An inability to control alcohol use is a ridiculous cop out. Their family sounded so perfect, so fun. Going to the park, doing different projects all the time. We were kids once! How many different "projects" did our moms ever have to cook up for us so that we felt needed? So many. David's mother did the same, and at the same time it feels like she was doing them for herself. Although she was not lonely with her sons at home all day, still she lacked real adult interaction on a daily basis. So, these projects or adventures she did for and with the kids, she quickly seems to be enjoying and learning to take part in for herself. Maybe, even too much. The perfectionist thing is kind of worrying me a little bit.
And, that must be it... mixed with alcohol.
Now I see what my mom was talking about. Part of me wishes I never read this book. But, I have already read some of it, meaning I am already feeling some of the pain. So, what is the point in not going on? Apparently, there is kind of a happy ending. Maybe I kind of deserve to read that. I know, if anyone deserves anything it is David that deserves a new life. But, since he can not have one yet, at least, let’s see him make something out of this one.
Monday, February 2, 2009
A Child Called It
"A Child Called It" by Dave Pelzer, 1993.
My mom could not make up her mind.
"Read this book."
"No it is too sad, do not read this book, yet."
"But It's a really good book, you need to read it."
I finally took her advice. I remember her reading it about 5 years ago or so. She was crying every time I walked into the room. From looking at the cover, I saw a cloudy picture with a blue- eyed boy. Didn't look too bad.
Then, I read the first chapter, still... nothing too terrible, really. The book starts off with the boy being saved and "finally set free." From what? I was not sure yet. Sure, I read the back cover. But they don't put barely anything on the back covers anymore. It is like they are getting stingy. Maybe people did not buy the books after they read the covers. But I always liked having that little synopsis.
The first chapter makes you need to read the second that night, at least. Or else, you will go to bed wondering, "What happened to this boy?"
After the first two chapters, I am already somewhat thankful that I decided to read this book. When people say things are “fast reads,” you can look at them and then look at the book that is like “yay” thick and say, “QUICK READ?” This one is not really too thick, at all really.
What am I looking forward to? The big print. The big print is really good for this book because when you get sad you tear up. And, since this book is apparently really sad, at least when I cry I will still be able to see what I am reading!
My mom could not make up her mind.
"Read this book."
"No it is too sad, do not read this book, yet."
"But It's a really good book, you need to read it."
I finally took her advice. I remember her reading it about 5 years ago or so. She was crying every time I walked into the room. From looking at the cover, I saw a cloudy picture with a blue- eyed boy. Didn't look too bad.
Then, I read the first chapter, still... nothing too terrible, really. The book starts off with the boy being saved and "finally set free." From what? I was not sure yet. Sure, I read the back cover. But they don't put barely anything on the back covers anymore. It is like they are getting stingy. Maybe people did not buy the books after they read the covers. But I always liked having that little synopsis.
The first chapter makes you need to read the second that night, at least. Or else, you will go to bed wondering, "What happened to this boy?"
After the first two chapters, I am already somewhat thankful that I decided to read this book. When people say things are “fast reads,” you can look at them and then look at the book that is like “yay” thick and say, “QUICK READ?” This one is not really too thick, at all really.
What am I looking forward to? The big print. The big print is really good for this book because when you get sad you tear up. And, since this book is apparently really sad, at least when I cry I will still be able to see what I am reading!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
