Thought provoking, original and very, very funny

[jez]

What is a/the 'self'? What is the relationship between self-identity and the mind, the body, and to other people? How does our concept of 'ourselves' - as a society and more intimately - negotiate the realms of desire, morality, rationality and spirituality? Within a post-traditional universe, just how useful is new knowledge - and scientific knowledge in particular - in enabling us to think, to feel and to act with confidence in relation to any of these questions?

Within Freak of Nature Phil Whitaker utilises his grasp of medical and neuroscientific research to address some of the more enduring questions to have preoccupied the Western philosphical tradition. This, however, is but part of the story...! Just as notions of a unified self are open to contestation, Whitaker's 'novel' is a truly eclectic synthesis of literary styles and modes of reflection. As other postings on this site indicate, it is a work which can be enjoyed on a variety of levels -in particular, it is very funny as well as thought provoking. That such a mixture of themes, styles and influences - rather like the self - cohere and progress is undoubtedly a reflection of Whitaker's originality and talent. Enjoy!!!