A Teenager's Journey

by Richard B. Pelzer

This triumphant follow-up to his New York Times bestselling memoir A Brother's Journey chronicles Pelzer's heartbreaking teenage years as he struggled with the effects of childhood abuse and how a surrogate family offered him comfort and hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, Abuse, Self Help, True Crime

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was extremely let down by this book. I read it when I was working with children who had experienced abuse and trauma. It seemed like the author spent more time justifying his actions and venting then he did telling his story.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pelzer brothers have lead a hard life full of emotional and physical abuse. To show for it, they have written many books and have come out with amazing strength and wisdom. This book talks about Richard Pelzer's life during his teenage years and beyond, how he has fought with his self to let go and forgive his mother, and how to become a successful adult at the age of 30.
I thought it went around in circles a bit, but its a good book to read, you'll learn a lot. I would recommend an earlier book though, like "A brother's Journey" by Richard Pelzer and "A child called It" by Dave Pelzer. Every book after is more philosophical.

[Jean Cable · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought he could have done a much better writing job, but it was a sad story.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a good first hand account of how being abused can have an affect on a person.

Richard told his story from his emotions of how the physical and mental abuse affected his self - self being, self esteem. He also answered many questions that Dave left unanswered in his books.

Definitely recommend both of Richard's books.

[LaRae Mikulecky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. What a powerful book. I don't really know what I was expecting to read when I ran across this book. It helped me more than anything understand people with a drug problem. I have never been involved in or even around it so I really enjoyed the look into what people go through and what kind of help I can be to those involved with drugs. I don't know how his Mom could be so abusive to him. I get emotional watching my son struggle at ANYTHING. I can't imagine being the cause of that struggle when I could stop it.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Very enlightening and emotional.

[Christian Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend Richard Pelzer's A Teenager's Journey for those who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, anyone who cares about an addict, anyone who feels lost and directionless and purposeless. It's just such a good read. If you like good books, get your hands on this one!

Richard's ups and downs in overcoming his addiction and the pain and suffering he endured captures readers' attention. I never had a drug addiction, but I'm ashamed to admit how much of his thinking sounds like things I've thought over the years. I'm sure many readers can relate to his thinking.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but I found myself drifting at times, bit repetative at times.

[Klare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this one is quite an emotional read. I finished it in just 1 day.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really moved me. It was very difficult to fathom that a mother who would abuse her own son in that way!! The book narrates the real life experience of the author Richard Pelzner, who survived what is now known as the one of the worst cases of child abuse in San Franscisco. The author writes about his experiments with drugs, emotionless physical relationships with girls and toying with the idea of killing himself more than once.

Despite the dark, haunting theme, the book stands out as a beacon of hope, compassion from strangers and finally the gift of forgiveness in the true sense of the word!!

This book has strengthened my conviction in the power of ordinary people who can touch and transform lives, just by being a part of it.

Matt.

[Laren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike his brother Dave Pelzer's books, this isn't a graphic tale of abuse ending in imperfect triumph. Rather it is more about his journey to adulthood, which took the author longer than most due to his difficult childhood. There aren't any inspiriational plaudits or how-to instructions here, which only makes the tale all the more scary on how he got to where he is today.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book back in High School. After I read his brother's book "A Child Called It" I saw in the newrealse section Richard B. Pelzer first book about how Richard took the role of the forgotten child after his brother was free at last from their mother. This was such a powerful book about his struggle to find who he is and try to heal from all the scars that was put upon him.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard is the Brother of Dave Pelzer. This book tells his story on what was going on with him while Dave was going though what he did. Very good book and well written for a easy read. If you have read Dave's book, read this one.

[Paige]

Couldn't finish the damn book becuase a chunk of pages was missing from the middle of it!!

[Mint · Rating 1 out of 5]

honestly I wasn't moved by this at all. Talks about drugs, booze..doesn't sound too inspiring

[Liv Caks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read this for Advanced/Extension English but it was surprisingly a quick read and quite interesting!

[Cheyenne De · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ik vond het een lastig, vrij langdradig verhaal om doorheen te komen. Het duurde even voordat ik in het verhaal zat en toen ik er eenmaal inzat, werd ik er ook vrij snel weer uitgetrokken en heb ik het boek verder op een globale manier uitgelezen.

[Ala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as bad as the other one. Not bad in a badly written but in a. Ouch.

[Tomo]

This book is about abused little boy turning to a man by going through harsh life. It is true story written by Richard B. Pelzer, the main character himself. If you are unhappy with your life, maybe this is the right book to read. At first, it makes you very depressed and sad, but when you finish reading it, you will find your life very successful and blessed.
Since his elder brother left the house, Richard was his own mother’s target to abuse. He never felt love from his mother even though he loved her. As he grew up in such environment, he starts to use lot of drugs and alcohol to feel some comfort. He also tried to suicide by using great amount of drugs and guns, but he failed. He felt love and kindness from his new neighbor friend, Nichols, but his mother destructed their newly built friendship to. Even though he attended a group for abused children, the supervisor and counselors doesn’t even believe Richards life stories. No love, no life, no trust and hope. As you can imagine, His life at this point was destroyed.
After coming back from the group, even though he was able to stop drug use for a while, he didn’t know what he was supposed to do with life. His mother was very unwelcome and still abusive. He takes a chance and asks for Nichols’ help if he can live in their house for a while. Even though Richard is abused and destructed child, Nichols accepts him as a family and helps him to be fixed and become normal. Even though, there were some difficulties and problems, with love and care, he was able to get back to the right truck.
However, when he was finally independent and was ready to forgive his mother, he comes to know that his mother had died before his letter had reached her.
Now Richard lives with family and full of life which he wanted for so long but never thought of achieving it. After I read The Teenager’s Journey I found myself feeling glad that I got such a loving family and friend. I even felt thankful of getting a good educations and hard studies that I don’t like. I’m very interested in reading A Brother’s Journey which is also written by Richard B. Pelzer, which I heard is also a great book to read.

[Ocean · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It had to be me that was the deranged one. That must have been why I wanted to self destruct. It was me the whole time, not Mom. I was the one who caused her to become outraged. I knew that treat the other boys like that so it had to be me."

Perfect quote to sum up this book, this is a recall of the insanity that went on in the author's highly dysfunctional family and how he got out of it, both physically and emotionally.

Perhaps if you are trying to understand the mind of abused children then you should read this book.
-Thankfully- my experience growing up was different to that of Richard, nonetheless I found myself in his words a lot more than I expected to. It brought back feelings I thought I was over and done with.. It's a quick read but an emotionally charged one.

There isn't too much detail on the abuse he lived through (I believe he published an earlier book so maybe it's all in there if you're interested?) which in my opinion is great because 1. it isn't necessary 2. it makes it potentially less triggering 3. and because it makes the whole story a lot more relatable to the reader. (maybe not if you were born in a really loving and protective family? I don't know)

In terms of writing skills, this isn't extraordinary and maybe a slight dose of humour would have been well welcomed after heavier chapters.

I would especially recommend this to those who have had tough relationship with their parents/family but also to those who have had difficult teen years in general and struggled to find themselves and a sense of confidence and purpose.

[Iluminada Garcia]

A Teenagers Dream by Richard Pelzer is about a sorrowful story of Richard growing up with his abusive mom. I did take pleasure in this book, but it did make me feel helpless in a way that Richard was going through so much and no one could've helped. His mom abused him physically and verbally, she made him starve and if he got something to eat from the trash he was lucky. He had to clean the house and do all the chores while she drank alcohol. The characters did feel real to me but the fact that all the neighbors knew about Richard getting abused and didn't do nothing didn't feel as real. Even though it was in a different time than now I would expect at least someone to speak up about it. If I had to choose my favorite character it would be Richard because he always kept going even though he wanted to give up so bad. My least favorite character was his mom, I don't know how someone could be so cruel to someone they gave birth too. This book was great because it kept me turning the pages. I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. I recommend this book to anyone, it's a really depressing book and it might have you in tears. But it's worth your time. If I had to rate this book from one being the worst to five being the best I'll rate it a four and half because I really enjoyed it.

[Devi Balfas · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Tak ada yang berkesan di masa remajaku. Aku nyaris tak pernah menyukai apa pun yang kualami. Namun, suatu hari aku melihat malaikat, dan aku begitu tersentuh. Pertemuan itu membuatku meragukan niatku untuk bunuh diri. Wajah sang malaikat begitu penuh kedamaian hingga aku tak lagi yakin akan keputusan itu, ataupun hal lain."

***

Oke, nggak butuh waktu lama untuk menyelesaikan buku ini, karena memang ukurannya yang tipis dan karena bahasanya mudah dipahami sekalipun baca yang terjemahan.

buku ini nggak ninggalin kesan apapun, not bad tapi juga not that good. jadi ya setengah setengah.

alurnya agak lambat yang memang buku non-fiksi rata-rata begitu, dan terkesan terlalu pathethic. kadang-kadang juga sebel sendiri kalau Richard selalu nyalahin segalanya ke Mamanya, padahal dia yang memilih untuk jalanin kehidupan itu, tapi ya. buku ini lumayan untuk ngisi waktu senggang dan sedikit memotivasi.

[Siobhan Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author, Richard Pelzer, is the brother of David Pelzer who authored the Child Called “It” series. This is the true story of the life of abuse and self destruction he lived after his brother David was moved into foster care. Most of the story is his about the horrible treatment received from his mother and his struggle with drug abuse and potential suicide. He knows that the life of drug abuse is wrong and hopes for someone to trust and help him. After several tries with sobriety, he finally finds the family he needs to help him. After struggling to find out who he is, he finally starts to heal himself through writing. Though never able to forget his struggles or sleep without fear, he overcomes his demons with the hope of becoming a real man, husband, and father.

[steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of depiction of drugs and alochol and sex in this story while Richard was a teen/young man which wasn't unexpected after the hell Richard went through at home but still not my cup of tea. I thought the conversation he had with his mother when he was 18 or so, when she couldn't recall just how abusive she was to her sons was so well done because it's so true to life. Richard could recall every terror of fear his mother installed in him while his mother, with her years of heavy drinking, couldn't recall half of those events. It's a sobering realization and I think Richard is a strong man for forgiving his mother for what she did to him and his brothers.

[Carolus · Rating 3 out of 5]

buku ini mencatat rentetan kejadian mengerikan dalam proses menuju kedewasaan yang dialami Richard Pelzer. mas aekcilnya hancur akibat siksaan keji dari ibunya yang alkoholik dan mengidap gangguan jiwa. masa muda Richard pun kian kacau ketika ia mulai mengenal dan menggunakan alkohol, narkobam dan melakukan seks bebas. gejolak emosi membara. keinginan untk bunuh diri pun menggelagar dalam dirinya ....

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to skim through a lot of this book. It was so repetitive and most of the repetition was, then maybe justifiable, excuses for slipping back and slipping back again.
The novels of his brother, Dave, moved along much better. Maybe because I hadn't previously heard the story of horrific abuse.
Also one thing that Richard never really fesses up to is how he contributed to David's abuse.
I found this unconscionable.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard Pelzer had a troubled adolescence; he dealt with his traumatic childhood by turning to alcohol, drugs and sex. He overcomes this by finding his true self, with the aid of a number of people who really did put the time and effort in to help this troubled youth. It makes you really appreciative of great friends and family.

[Jessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you read A Child Called It? This book is about the story of Dave's brother when Dave was taken out of their home. Shocking details that the monster that was their mother was also LDS. But you should read A Brother's Journey before you read A Teenager's Journey.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good.I really enjoyed it. but i didnt like all the parts that mentioned him doing countless drugs, a handful of motionless sex. my mom says that everyone single part was good! XD well i dont fully agree with it but yes i loved the book

[Ruthann · Rating 4 out of 5]

So heart rending to know how horrible the lives of some people have been. I was so drawn in by the story of this boy and all he had to endure at the hands of his mother. It's amazing he survived the abuse & then the guilt that he carried for so long.