Readers Respond: How Do You Feel About Dave Pelzer's Life Story?

Responses: 53

By Carrie Craft, About.com Guide

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I have read all of Dave's books & from the very first one I told myself, "I truly wish I could meet this man because I would present him with the biggest HUG he's ever received!!" Dave is a Survivor and has come a long way!! I only wished someone would have listened to him, heard him, sooner!!
—Guest Norma

Well to start of your book is very inspirational, deep and just sad! I enjoyed reading this book, at first I thought that the things that were happening in this book were fake, but I realized it was an autobiography. Some of the things that happened in this book are so upsetting I wasn't sure whether they were real or not? But total respect to you Dave Pelzer - may your ongoing life be filled with joy and happiness. :)
—Guest Karapapa

I really love your books and they did bring tears to my eyes. You are a very strong person to have survived through all of the abuse. I could sense your pain and fears. I'm glad you did steal food to survive, you really didn't have a choice but to steal it. God let you live for a reason and He had a purpose for keeping you alive. God bless you and thank you for writing the books.
—Guest Jo-Ann

I read your books when I was about 13-14. I'm 24 now and I still remember the horrible things that happened to Dave Pelzer. So glad you are doing sooo well Dave. I'm glad you got help when you did. PLEASE MAKE MOVIES from your books.
—Guest kimmie

Well, I DO NOT like to read, but my teacher gave me this book and as I started I could not stop. I read a child called it in 2 nights. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! I'm almost done with the lost boy, I love this book as well. I'm excited to keep going! You are a great author and I'm sorry that you had to go threw that! Best of wishes!
—Guest Bon Qui Qui

That good is so so sad and I cried in it and now I'm on the second one. They are so good.
—Guest Shelby Cristee

This story is the most saddest thing I ever read aka the child called it u rock dave .... and i feel so bad for u!
—Guest April

I understood everything Dave went through, I experienced the same. I became Addicted to drugs and alcohol to avoid the pain . I was addicted to substances for 20 years and homeless for many of those after the abuse and bullying I endured ! I have over 24 years clean today and am involved with helping others! If there would be any way for Dave to contact me, he and I have a lot in common to discuss! I presently have 2 organizations which I started, the Addiction Awareness Foundation and AHA, which involves Professional sports figures. I personally know Joe Flacco ( Ravens QB ) ! I would love to be connected with Dave if possible, we can help each other! I also know 2 other Authors which I am friends with and am in constant contact with at all times! Paul Houdart "Advocate for Addicts and those Abused"
—Guest Paul Houdart

It was such a wonderful book I could really relate to it. It helped me realize that I could be a some body Dave is my inspiration the book was heartfelt and touching I loved it.
—Guest victoria

I am so sorry that happened to you. Well, that was a really good book, but I feel so bad of what happened to you.:(
—Guest guest

This book is freaking amazing. how could one child endure all this pain? Dave you are very strong. i admire you. I hope NO child ever has to go thru this.
—Guest Shabbaaa

Dave survived the life of a battered child. He was fortunate in that there were adults brave enough to step in and rescue him. Sadly, today, the child abuse industry has grown so large that it needlessly takes the children of low-income and poor families to keep itself alive. X amount of children = x amount of dollars to an industry that cares nothing for the children. It's come full circle. Instead of rescuing children it is now taking children for profit and placing them in dangerous situations much like the one Dave was rescued from. While Dave is understandably grateful to those who helped him, he would undoubtedly turn against our modern day child abuse industry which has become so corrupt that the only solution is to tear it down and start over, restoring the focus to protecting battered and orphaned children without destroying the lives of innocent citizens.
—jholderbaum

Dave was a battered child who survived the odds and made his way to a better life thanks to those adults who dared to intervene and help him out of a horrendous situation. While I am opposed to having a child abuse industry in place because of the many horror stories we hear about foster care and the fact that child services has degenerated into an industry that preys on poor and low-income families, snatching their children needlessly and often inflicting the very kind of abuse Dave was rescued from on those children, I do support the need for protecting battered and orphaned children. If only the system still focused on that noble goal we would have a better system of child protection. Live free Dave! Live and love life and your family.
—jholderbaum

i would like to thank dave for writing this shocking but absolutely truthful book about his awful childhood. How anyone can say this is not true need to be looked at by official authorities to ensure they are someone who should be near children I admire any adult who admits and describes their fate at their hands of cruel adults who sadly are usually their parents. I agree that this life story deserves to be made into a film, and i have heard on the grapevine that this is in progress and as much as it will upset me to watch it i will to support him. I would like to end this to say to dave that is an amazing person and i am sure that many times he has helped unknowingly many victims of such cruelty to go on in life and become wholesome good people like himself. I admire him in big big way.
—propergal

i cant believe a mother would have the heart to do what yours did to you. my mom was kinda like yours but before i went through too much trauma the government awarded custody of me to my father.i wouldn't stand by and see everything u went through like your father did at the beginning but then again we are no one to judge people every one will get there day of judgment in the presence of God.you just have to learn to forgive and get closer to God things happen for a reason.if those actions wouldn't have happened you wouldn't be the writer you are and helping kids all over the world through the trauma...so thanks your storiess have helped me...opened my eyes...and have made me cry...
—Guest ana monzon