A Child Called "It"

A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive is Dave Pelzer's autobiographical account of his alleged abuse as a child by an alcoholic mother, Catherine Roerva. It was published on September 1, 1995.

Plot

Detailing a childhood of not only severe abuse by his mother, but apparent apathy to his plight by his father, A Child Called 'It' describes one of the worst, documented cases of child abuse in California history. It tells the story of David Pelzer who was brutally beaten and starved by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother: a mother who played tortuous, unpredictable games that left him nearly dead. He had to learn how to play his mother's games in order to survive because she no longer considered him a son, but a slave; and no longer a boy, but an "it." Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy. When his mother allowed him the luxury of food, it was nothing more than spoiled scraps that even the dogs refused to eat. The outside world knew nothing of his living nightmare. He had nothing or no one to turn to, but his dreams kept him alive--dreams of someone taking care of him, loving him and calling him their son.

Sequel

"The Lost Boy", the sequel to "A Child Called It", describes Pelzer's subsequent experiences in the foster-care system.

Controversy

His brother, Richard Pelzer, is the author of the book "A Brother's Journey", confirming much of what David has said and describing his own abuse when David was finally removed from the home, although the two disagree about Dave's depictions.

Numerous articles have been associated with Richard’s brother including The Mail on Sunday ("Is He Making 'It' All Up?"), the New York Times Magazine ("Dysfunction for Dollars", by Pat Jordan, July 28, 2002), and the online magazine Slate (Dave Pelzer - "The Child Abuse Entrepreneur").

References in popular culture

It was also referenced in the British sitcom 'Peep Show' (series three, episode two): The main character, Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) sits in a cafe with Sophie (Olivia Colman) who is reading the book, the cover prominently displayed. In an interior monologue, Mark proclaims: "Look at me. I've got a girlfriend. A proper girlfriend. Reading a best seller about child abuse."

American hard rock band Buckcherry recorded a song of the same name for their album Black Butterfly.

See also

• The Boy from the Basement

There is also a reference to "A Child Called It" made by Sue Townsend in her book "Adrian Mole The Prostrate Years" pub'Penguin 2009. In it, the title character's mother begins to write her own fictitious account of her childhood with the title "A Child Called it."

References