Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Sample
  • A Child Called 'It'

  • By: David Pelzer
  • Narrated by: Brian Keeler
  • Length: 3 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (274 ratings)

£0.00 for first 30 days

Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

A Child Called 'It'

By: David Pelzer
Narrated by: Brian Keeler
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.

Buy Now for £13.99

Buy Now for £13.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

Dave Pelzer was brutally abused as a child by his emotionally unstable, alcoholic mother. She considered him a slave - no longer a boy, but an "it".

He was physically and mentally tortured and starved. The outside world knew nothing of the nightmare he experienced behind closed doors, and his father was aware of the abuse but turned to denial and alcohol. The abuse only fueled a determination to survive and become stronger.

He eventually found amazing strength from his experiences: both in himself and other people.

Listen to the second book in David Pelzer's harrowing, multi-part memoir of child abuse: The Lost Boy.
©1995 David Pelzer (P)2001 Recorded Books
activate_samplebutton_t1

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Boy in the Cellar cover art
My So Called Mum cover art
Book Bundle of Psychological Thrillers: What Goes Around, Hidden Within, Fatal Words cover art
Broken cover art
Just a Girl cover art
A Family Secret cover art
The Bad Room cover art
Unsafe cover art
Ghost No More: Ghost No More, Book 1 cover art
Girl Unbroken cover art
Stella's Story cover art
Cupboard Boy: A Shockingly True Story of Horrific Child Abuse cover art
Why Me? cover art
Of Foster Homes and Flies cover art
Nobody Loves Me cover art
A Stolen Life cover art

Critic reviews

"Pelzer's portrayal of domestic tyranny and eventual escape is unforgettable." ( School Library Journal)

What listeners say about A Child Called 'It'

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    218
  • 4 Stars
    33
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    176
  • 4 Stars
    26
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    185
  • 4 Stars
    20
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

such courage and resilianxe

i read this book many years ago and have now listened to it being told. its the best book ive ever read. it brought tears to my eyes. ishall go on to listenvto Dave Pelzers other books that i have also read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking

It's frightening how evil someone could be. His mother went from being perfect to a horrible evil bastard. It takes a very strong soul to come out the other end of that an flourish in life, fair play. listening to this will make you hope his mother is suffering an eternity of horrifying pain. It's awful to think that this happens children every day.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

so sad and unbelievable but my god is it good x

so sad what happened to dave , no child should suffer any things like this im so proud of how he has .anaged to pull through and live his life s he has x well done dave

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

heartbreaking story

very hard to hear at some points but a very good insight into the life of an abuse victim. feel so sorry for this guy. great book. would 100% recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking

Such a sad story, written well. Had a year in my eye. Definitely a recommended read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The truth

.....for those who ask the questions. this example of the hell too many american...global...children live within, you have the answers to 1) why do we need a death penalty and 2) why do children under 12 commit suicide. we can't afford to house child abusers in prison...the money should be used for early intervention, removal and a new life. Society is ignorant to just how many kids are in a living hell.
...heartbreaking....

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Harrowing

This is a very heartbreaking story. My takeaway is that at several points the boy described himself as a weak coward. However, I think he had the strength and bravery of a lion. A true survivor.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing survival story

This truly brings into context just how blessed some people are. Having had a less than enjoyable childhood, I have learned so much humility since hearing these books by David Pelzer... They are a true inspiration. And to go from a feeling of expecting certain at such an early age, to surviving and making such progress and success as an adult.... Simply wow. God bless you David Pelzer. Brian Keeler, the narration was clean, crisp and full of passion.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

best book I've read very upsetting

really good narrating even my daughter sat and listened ..I listened all in 1 go it upset me but it's good to listen too

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

interesting but very american

a sorry story . strong boy that had lets say a s#it childhood. 3.5 stars really

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!