Return to the River

A Spiritual Journey of Loss, Redemption, and Resilience

As with many people, the pandemic forced Dave Pelzer to reexamine his life. Despite his many accomplishments—writing multiple bestselling books including the classics A Child Called “It” and The Lost Boy, serving in the armed forces, receiving awards from US Presidents, and battling ferocious California wildfires—Dave found himself at an emotional crossroads. Nearing the 50-year anniversary of his rescue from a horrific childhood of abuse, he reflects on the battles he’s fighting in his own heart. After working for years to vanquish his pain and to channel it into service for others, Pelzer sifts through the psychological rubble of a life that has seemingly crumbled around him. What he shares is deeply transformative and unflinchingly honest. In his struggle to simply survive, he never learned how to just be. Reeling from the loss of a love—and a broken spirit—Pelzer must reconcile his life choices and free himself of blame and shame to find peace and renewed purpose.

Amid the towering redwood trees and the serenity of his childhood utopia of the Russian River, Pelzer reflects on having the courage to move forward, the peace to accept yourself, the vulnerability to strip yourself of facades, and the tenacity to carry on when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned. Pelzer’s soulful and inspiring story will remind you to keep your faith, live with gratitude, and find the well of resilience deep within you.