Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neill is an amazing novel about a young 12 , soon to be 13 year old girl named Baby. It shows her struggles and the way she copes with it. The novel is very heartbreaking, but is presented in a comedic way at some points.
Baby is a sad example of what is going on around us daily. Although it is just a fictional story, it was very eyeopening to me. This book had a huge impact on me, making me feel more grateful for how I was raised and everything I have.
Baby is stuck in unfortunate circumstances with poverty, a drug addicted father and towards the end she struggles with drugs herself. At such a young age she is still trying to figure herself out and with no guidance, this is very hard for her. Her free spirit also does not help with her situation. When she gets involved with Alphonse, a pimp, she pretty much is destined for failure.
The saddest part about Baby’s life to me is when she gets involved with prostitution. All the money she makes off it goes straight to Alphonse, leaving her with little to none. It makes me wonder what she is doing it for? From what I can conclude it is to feel wanted by somebody. She gets this sense of wanting to belong from the innocent archetype she betrays. It is sad that she gives her body away to these old men just to feel something.
Lullabies for Little Criminals is just one representation of how some kids are growing up nowadays. Baby’s story may be fictional, but the impact it had on me was very substantial. Now I feel more grateful and glad that I now know more about myself and the world around me, both the good and the bad.
