Kate K. (wishuponakate) reviewed A Brother's Journey: Surviving a Childhood of Abuse on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
If you haven't read David Pelzer's book(s) before, you should read them before you read Richard Pelzer's (or at least read D.P.'s first book, "A Child Called IT.")
I am glad I read this book, as it definitely gave a different perspective on the home situation that David Pelzer introduced us to in his books. It's been a number of years since I read David Pelzer's books, but the story has remained in my mind ever since. I didn't need to read them again to recall the horrible things that took place at the hands of their alcoholic mother.
At any rate, this book definitely gave me a good understanding of what took place in that home after David ("IT") was taken and put into foster care. Richard took his place as the new "It" being abused in the Pelzer home. The only qualm I have with this particular book is the ending. I feel almost as if I was left hanging, without any official closure. We are left with Richard as a teenager, having just been the victim of his mother's abuse once again, and that's it. He comes to realization that he can't/won't take the abuse any more, but he came to that realization several times in the book, and always backed down. I am left to assume he finally stood up to her, but how? When? What happened? Did he move away with his family? Did he report her? Did he see "IT" ever again? There are a lot of unanswered questions. Maybe he's planning to write another book.
At any rate, it's a good read for those who have read David's books.
I am glad I read this book, as it definitely gave a different perspective on the home situation that David Pelzer introduced us to in his books. It's been a number of years since I read David Pelzer's books, but the story has remained in my mind ever since. I didn't need to read them again to recall the horrible things that took place at the hands of their alcoholic mother.
At any rate, this book definitely gave me a good understanding of what took place in that home after David ("IT") was taken and put into foster care. Richard took his place as the new "It" being abused in the Pelzer home. The only qualm I have with this particular book is the ending. I feel almost as if I was left hanging, without any official closure. We are left with Richard as a teenager, having just been the victim of his mother's abuse once again, and that's it. He comes to realization that he can't/won't take the abuse any more, but he came to that realization several times in the book, and always backed down. I am left to assume he finally stood up to her, but how? When? What happened? Did he move away with his family? Did he report her? Did he see "IT" ever again? There are a lot of unanswered questions. Maybe he's planning to write another book.
At any rate, it's a good read for those who have read David's books.
Petra (amethyst) - , reviewed A Brother's Journey: Surviving a Childhood of Abuse on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
It gives you chills that once one boy was removed, the next had to step up and take the abuse. Most importantly what I got out of this book was how he was thinking, a young boy is thinking, he had no power, belived what was told by his mother to keep the fear going. It gives you an insight of how much kids have to learn in their younger years and get out of the thought process what was instilled into them.
Ralph R. (rwx) reviewed A Brother's Journey: Surviving a Childhood of Abuse on + 141 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A 3rd party look at child abuse. David Pelzer wrote on his 1st person expirences without looking at the family, because he couldn't, but this book, written by his younger brother, looks at abuse from inside the family. He looks at his participation in the abuse of his older brother and at his own abuse. We get and insiders look at their mom!
Helpful Score: 2
I have read all of Dave Pelzers books, and this one written by his brother is very well written and an excellent book. A sad but true story that you will never forget.
Helpful Score: 2
Hmmmm. . . I have read Dave's books and found them compelling and believable. However, this book did not "ring true" to me. Richard was not cast in a very favorable light in Dave's books and this book, to me, seemed like some kind of rebuttal or a "hey, what about me?" whine kind of book. I just didn't "buy" his story.
