The Lost Boy

The Lost Boy

David Peltzer, the author of "The Lost Boy", tells his story from the time he left his alcoholic and abusive parents, through his experiences in five foster homes, juvenile detention, and eventually the Air Force. He was a defiant, rebellious boy who, despite his background and personality, managed to have a few close friends. David was brought up by a mother who was later labeled as a manic depressive and an abusive alcoholic. David's mother had harsh "games" she would play with David. For example, she would make David complete the house chores and would never allow him to play, a significant sign of alcoholism, being in control. Other examples of the harsh games that his mother would implement would range from putting him in freezing cold water for 5 hours at a time, to making him sit on the garage steps with his hands under his bottom, and looking forward for up to 36 hours at a time with no food, bathroom, or shower. David was shifted between 5 foster homes, and at times, would lash out at his foster families so they would not get too close to him. David was a very depressed adolescent, his

mother made him think he was an unwanted, worthless child. Throughout the book, David believed that his parents did not love him because he had failed as a son and was indeed a bad boy. Not until David was seeing a therapist did he realize that it wasn't his fault.

I noticed while reading the book, that the family had many characteristics of the alcoholic family. For example, the mother was in control, and the father drank to bury his sorrows and appease his wife. David's parents ended up getting a divorce per the husband's request. The mother also would hug and kiss David when she was sober as if to make up for when she was intoxicated. I would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the alcoholic family.