Unique

[Mary Cavanagh]

I am dumbfounded that such a serious literary writer as Phil Whitaker can come up with such a lively riot of a book. Freak of Nature is a very funny book, BUT . . there is funny ha-ha and funny peculiar. It really is the most unique book I can remember reading. Most reviewers say things like 'it's reminiscent of' or 'so-and so meets so-and so' but it really is a one-off that I can compare to no other author. I also can't ever remember a topic being so cleverly woven into what is, actually, a serious subject. Knowing that Phil is both a practising doctor and a successful novelist I honed in immediately on the left brain versus right brain struggle that he must have experienced. To use conjoined twins as a vehicle for the ambivalence about his 'twin' pursuits is masterful. To dress it up in such an hilarious story is inspired.

The balance between the two conjoined twins was equally realised as the two of them swayed for supremecy. Dr Mick McDonald, the married man, father of a little girl, and successful media doctor, came over a serious, not-much-fun character. Buttoned down as a professional, the breadwinner, desperate for promotion in his career, but actually more than a bit full of himself and his success and lusting after a bit of extra-marital.

John McDonald on the other hand, was the midnight writer, the smoker, the drinker, the laid back bad lad, but actually hopelessly in love with his sister-in-law. The relationship between the twins was that of two completely opposing personalities fighting to maintain their independence from each other. I thought about Laurie Lee's Grannies in The Wainscot, the two old women, keeping their brains alive by their obsession with the other one.

Deep thinking aside, the novel is a delight of entertaining wit - it is wholly page turning without any stumbles and I found that I didn't want to put it down, and was so pleased when I had the time to pick it up again.

I won't go into any more detail about the plot lines as you must go through the delightful experience of reading this book yourself. Splendid stuff and I hope it hits the big time

I have just received Freak of Nature as a gift, I was a bit sceptical at first as this isn't the kind of book I normally read. But, after the first few pages I was hooked, I finished reading it in just two days, (I don't have much of a life).
I found the medical jargon a bit hard to follow, but, I got the gist of it and found the story funny, sad and quite moving in places.
I will certainly be recommending this book to my friends & will re-read it in the future.

[Stan]

This was a very enjoyable read and was not at all what I'd expected. The first impressions were quite gloomy as the outlook for the twins in the '70s seemed totally unpredictable and quite depressing. By the end however the tone of the book was far more light-hearted and extremely funny.

I was impressed by the book's ability to sustain such a lightening pace...a style all of its own. Once I'd started to read it, it was hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the next book!