Anyone read 'a child called it'?

Queenie

Hmm, it's quite a while since I've read it, but I'm not 100% convinced it's all true/accurate I recall there was some dispute over it authenticity at the time in the national papers.

Found this on Wiki

Questions have been raised about Pelzer's works and their authenticity[5][6]. In "Dysfunction for Dollars," Pelzer's older brother is quoted as saying, "David wasn't ostracized from the family; he was very close to me and Robert. We were the Three Musketeers. But David had to be the center of attention. He was a hyper, spoiled brat." Adding to controversy, "...his grandmother, Ruth Cole remembers him as a 'disruptive kid, only interested in himself, with big ideas of grandeur.'"

Personally, the only reason I believe one of his brother's went ahead and also wrote a book is *because* he saw there was money in it

TASHMA

I saw the all three books in Asda yesterday for £4 each!

Angel777

I still want to read the second part only to know what happens.

I am not in the habit of reading such books and dont think i will opt to in the future.

I was simply moved to tears and felt emotional about what had happened to him.

misty

The second and third books spend quite a lot of time re capping the first book. Also there are blank pages between each chapter. I don't know about the authenticity of his account but no social workers have disputed his account.

I do think instead of a trilogy, he could have written one longer book instead of three short books with a lot of repetition in two and three but hen he wouldn't have made as much in sales would he?

As for the narrative being quite badly written, I did read somewhere this was deliberate as it was supposed to represent a child's voice - not sure I believe this though.

As for Wikepedia - don't trust their version of anything - most of it cobbled together by unqualified teenagers.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I read all three also. Only the first was any good IMO. But if you liked this try THE WOMAN WHO WALKED INTO DOORS Roddy Doyle. There are not that many books that really stick in my memory (read about 4 a week) but this was one. Very very sad. Again don't bother with the sequel.

filigree_2

For a different angle on this genre, I recommend Armistead Maupin's "Night Listener". One of the main characters has written a book about childhood abuse. I won't spoil it by telling you what happens in the end, but it was very good.

misty

buxtonrabbitgreen wrote: »

I read all three also. Only the first was any good IMO. But if you liked this try THE WOMAN WHO WALKED INTO DOORS Roddy Doyle. There are not that many books that really stick in my memory (read about 4 a week) but this was one. Very very sad. Again don't bother with the sequel.

The Woman who walked into doors is a novel based on domestic violence and not the same genre as the "real life" stories. Roddy Doyle is a fantastic writer and this is a great novel but different to many he is known for that a good mix of tragedy and comedy. Paddy Clarke ha ha ha also touches on domestic violence but is told from a child's point of view - again this is a novel rather than non fiction but is brilliantly written and some laugh out loud bits in it. You see laugh out loud written a lot but I rarely actually do this but in Paddy Clarke - I really did.

Angel777

I am not in the habit of reading such books but it definately opened my eyes as to the sheer cruelty and brutality which some children suffer.

i will read the second book.

it just made me feel extremely sad.

To counter balance the fact that i felt so terrible i bought peter kay's 'the sound of laughter to cheer me up!

not very good money saving!

notakid

I've read the child called it series and have to agree it’s badly written. But at least people are talking about abuse.
I've also read UGLY.

There is a syndrome, sorry I don't know the name when, in families one child is blamed and seen as less than human and all the other family members follow suit. That may be the reason the other members of the family denies the abuse. This often happens with sexual abuse as well.


I think reading these books can give you different viewpoints on events. Anyone read Cries unheard?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cries-Unheard-Story-Mary-Bell/dp/0333735242/ref=pd_bowtega_1/203-5997822-2427101?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180713610&sr=1-1

As I've said at least people are reading about it rather than pretending it doesn't exist. I remember when children in homes were called liers when they had the courage to speak aganist abuse they had recieved.

Tory Haydens books are good as well and don't give easy answers
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_b/202-7970035-5656633?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=tory

The best however is Christina Nobles Bridge Across my Sorrows. I dare anyone not to be moved.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bridge-Across-Sorrows-Christina-Noble/dp/0552142883/ref=pd_bowtega_1/203-5997822-2427101?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180714076&sr=1-1

ifstar

https://www.greenmetropolis.co.uk is a pretty good site, all books are £3.75 and once you are done you can sell it on for £3.00