Too Close to Me

The #1 New York Times–bestselling author and child abuse survivor reveals the challenges that he still faces as an adult, as a husband, and as a father.   In the blockbuster autobiography A Child Called “It”, Dave Pelzer shared the story of his childhood—one of the most dramatic and extreme stories of child abuse ever prosecuted in the state of California. As a child, Pelzer was beaten, starved, and abused both emotionally and physically by his alcoholic and mentally unstable mother. As a man, Pelzer went on to have love, happiness, a fulfilling career, and a family of his own.   To many, Pelzer seemed to have found his happy ending. But for a child abuse survivor, living a normal adult life carries challenges and complications above and beyond those faced by most people. This book, the fifth in Pelzer’s nonfiction series, provides an honest and courageous look at the difficulties inherent in marriage, parenthood, work, and life from the perspective of someone who survived horrific physical and emotional terrors as a child—and who seeks to meet the responsibilities and complications of adult life with love, strength, and an open heart.  

Author Biography

As a child, Dave Pelzer was horribly abused, beaten, and neglected by a mother who faced alcohol addiction as well as mental health issues. His was the worst case of child abuse ever recorded in the state of California, and his life was saved only when an attentive teacher stepped in. Pelzer later grew up in the foster care system, and went on to write several bestselling memoirs—including A Child Called “It”, The Lost Boy: A Foster Child’s Search for the Love of a Family, and A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness. Dave Pelzer is the author of numerous inspirational books and is a sought-after public speaker. He is the recipient of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service, the National Jefferson Award, and the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World Award, among others.