Little Boy Lost: A Story of Hope and Redemption, Set Amidst the Backdrop of a Mother's Suicide

by David Peters

Little Boy Lost – the true story of one boy’s heartache and hope while coming of age in small-town Tennessee in the 1970s.As the youngest of three sons and a bona fide momma’s boy, David Peters thinks that having a mother who spends months at a time in psychiatric hospitals is normal. Then on St. Patrick’s Day 1974, his world shatters when she commits suicide.At the age of 13, he’s left struggling to make sense of his mother’s death while facing a host of new the father who has lost his business and checked out of society, the stepmother who despises him and his brothers, and watching his family slide from middle class comfort to living on food stamps.Ultimately, he finds healing, thanks to the assortment of “surrogate” parents who take him in, his buddies, and baseball and basketball.Through it all, David discovers that even in life’s darkest moments, if you look hard enough for the light, eventually the sun will rise again.By sharing his story, David Peters hopes that Little Boy Lost will help readers gain an understanding of how to find hope and healing after family trauma from mental illness and suicide.A powerful, heartwarming story of resilience in the face of terrible tragedy, Little Boy Lost is perfect for fans of memoirs like The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls or A Hole in the World by Richard Rhodes.

Genres: Nonfiction

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[kathi Driskell]

At a Loss For Words

I am an avid reader. Daily I read., yet I don’t think I’ve ever been as moved as this story moved my heart. The memories in the life of a child throughout years to being a man so touched my soul. It’s a timeline full of memories, many I can relate to in my own life. Yet this story is filled with examples of human growth while all the while never losing faith in our God. It puts the reader in mind of learning the intimate thoughts of their own family. Many sad, yet overcoming the voids of life.
Wonderfully written, poignant life story!

[Cheryl McCrork]

A very interesting good book

This was such a great story and was a pleasure to read. This was a good family that could not catch a break. A mother with mental illness and many hospital visits. A husband that worked hard and had to be both parents at times to 3 boys. A sick mother who chose to end her life. The step mother was from the devil for sure and she was pure evil to the 2 boys and her husband. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

[Linda Surritte]

Memoir of a man whose childhood was scarred by his mother's mental illness and eventual suicide. His father as also distant and his stepmother was just mean. Involvement in sports gave him purpose and an escape. A very personal story.

[Barbara]

heartbreak

Such a sad story. Very proud of these 3 boys who had a horrible life as children ! I’m not too sure I could have forgiven Dad and the stepmother!!!im really glad they finally had some happiness!!

[sandy koga]

An eye opener!

I loved.this story, because it was honest. I felt the struggle, and anguish! I know that David endured more than enough to loss for several life times.

[Cris]

I enjoyed this true story of David and his brothers. It was sad how the stepmother treated them and the dad let her do it. I was glad tho that there were a lot of other good people who helped him along the way when his stepmother did not.

[Karie Ann]

It was a great book couldn't put it down took me 2 days to read

[Dennie Fields]

Tragedy to Triumph

This book tells the story of boy trying to find a path through heartache, abuse and mental illness. So many times he felt lost but through the years he found himself.

[Sandra Burns]

Really a great read.

The power of love, helped this young boy survive a horrible childhood.
His Mom had a mental illness, and spent lots of time in the hospital. While Dad worked, raised three sons and took care of the house as best as he could.
Eventually, his Mom could not deal with her demons anymore, and committed suicide.
Dad married the woman he was having an affair with.
Things went from bad to worse, until the boys were grown and could escape.
This young boy, and his brothers were survivors.

[G. Bickers]

Well done! When I read that this book was about to be released, I was so excited to read it, after reading David’s FaceBook posts. Once released, I downloaded the book, and hesitated to get started. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to have to process such a dark story. But I did start reading, and could hardly put it down to do the things that needed doing … like feeding the dogs! In spite of the fact that David’s mom took her life, one of the most devastating, traumatic experiences a child could have, she also equipped him with what he needed to endure that and the hell that followed. David’s mom helped him build a foundation of faith. With that faith, and the assurance that his mom loved him and his brothers, David’s hope that there was something more to life than the relationship his dad settled for was uplifting. I laughed at some of David’s stories from NHS. I was at that Boston concert; thankfully without the puke. Thank you for so honestly sharing your childhood.

[Carol]

Best bio

This is The best bio I've read in a long time. It his home in a lot of ways. Superb author. Would highly recommend it

[Amy Gamble]

Touching and emotional story

I was moved by the title of this book and felt deep sadness for David Peter’s. He did an excellent job describing the difficulties of having a parent with severe mental illness. Equally, sprinkling in the many protective factors and outlets he had demonstrated that when trauma occurs, survival happens because of those positive experiences. The complex relationship with his father and nightmare relationship with his step mom is both hopeful and sad. But he never gave up. He lived his mom unconditionally and kept on going even after experiencing a difficult loss.

Well done David. It’s a difficult story to share, but very relatable to me.

[Brenda Shermer]

a unforgettable life

I truly loved this book. David was loved. He gave love and he needed love. He lost both his parents at such a young age. His mother to suicide. And his father to the woman he replaced with wife. He was still a victim of unhappiness. David is the youngest of 3 boys. He, his brother’s and father lived with a mother and wife with mental illness. Each one had to survive in their own way. It was horrible to lose a mother to suicide. But for the father to allow his wife to cause such emotional pain for the 2 youngest one’s is horrible. Read the book. You’ll laugh, cry, be mad, and smile.

[Karen Kepner]

Poor Little Boy

David,Tim and Benji are brothers whose mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia shortly after Benji was born. This book is written by David, and is Botha testament to his love for his mother,and his trauma from living with someone who had mental illness. He also documents his dad’s struggles to keep everything as normal for his boys as he could, while still trying to maintain a business and his own mental health. The book is well -written and a tribute to the love of the baby of the family for his mother.

[Jasmin]

Even in a Small Town

Even in a small town, difficult lives can be hidden behind closed doors. This true story is about a young boy who grows up in the shadow of his mother's mental illness, and the effect is has on the entire family. The voice of the author is one of understanding of how his life played out, without bitterness or regret, sorrow or self pity. Its a beautifully written story centered around a tragic event. I highly recommend it.

[Elizabeth Maher]

Very inspiring!

The book was thoughtful and inspiring! The author bares his soul about his experiences with his Mom and stepmother. It's a wonderful read! His life could have gone in several directions. But he was open to accepting his situation, being mature and
recognizing the positive influences in his life. It's a very insightful. It's also testament to the human spirit! Thank you to the author for sharing his life!

[Deborah]

A little boy lost

This author opened up to give his sad life to us. He weathered through some hardships but in the end came out with a great relationship with his family. He got through this with help from some pretty wonderful people. I really think that this book is worth the read.

[Judy]

Wonderful Writing of David's Story

I loved your honesty and openness. You shared your Mom's story, how hard things were at times, but how much you loved her. I love all the supportive friends and other caring "parents" you had in your life over the years. I'm glad you and your Dad came back together. Great job!

[Judy Curry]

Thoughts

I enjoyed this book. It is a raw insight into life with a depressive person. The most important message to me was David’s acceptance that Julie was sick just like cancer and other life threatening diseases. I would like to think the world today is a little kinder to those with mental illness. Thank you David for sharing your life with your readers.

[Gloria Heffron]

A walk down memory lane of the 60s and 70s. A sad but inspirational story filled with so much hope and love. A peek into a family revolving around a parent with mental illness and the ultimate loss by suicide. Loved every page of this book ❤️

[Fran Carter]

Remembering my life in East Tennessee.

This was an amazing project for David. I loved how God always brought blessings to David through so many folks in Norris. I also appreciated how difficult it must have been for David to open his life to total strangers. Thank you, David.

[Terry Jensen]

little boy lost

Loved this book. Such an interesting life. David was truly gifted in his lifetime with people who helped out when his Mother committed Suicide. His Father tried but was so overwhelmed…..excellent reading

[Ralph Piscopo]

Exceptional

Heartbreaking and emotionally draining. Goes to show how families can fall apart.
Suicide can either destroy families or bring them together

[Sharon Radecki]

Great book!!

[Kim Wilch]

I was engrossed in the story and reached for it in the middle of the night. The story was presented head-on with the innocence of a child, allowing the reader to feel all the feelings you can expect when dealing with mental illness, suicide, and a wicked stepmother. While the story is shockingly sad, there are moments of admiration for a father trying his best (I later wanted to throttle) and a hard-working boy trying to survive with determination and resilience in the face of adversity. Above all, I felt hope through all of it.

I can’t imagine ANY of what David lived through and cringe thinking about where he last lived in the country. I admire the strength and fortitude he demonstrated to eventually come out on the other side. I wish him and his brothers nothing but a wonderful life. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Fran M. Lancaster]

Very interesting

I enjoyed the way you described your feelings. It was rather repetitive but understandable. I know it helped for you to put into words how your life developed.

[Sharon Collins]

Life

The man knew he needed help after loosing his mother and having a horrid step mother. He got therapy and education. David should be proud of what he overcame.

[Patricia Lavenia]

Heartbreaking but so relevant to today’s events.