Wild Boy by Rob Lloyd Jones Audio Book: 5 hours, 46 minutes Hardback Book: 304 pages
Genre:
I enjoyed this book a lot. I am a fan of carnivals, circuses and yes the mysteries that lie beyond that P.T. Barnum flair for the unusual and exotic. Though this is categorized as YA, it is written in a very adult manner and some of the descriptions of muck in its many forms strike me as a lot more detailed than a young adult reader might be ready for, but, then again... Extraordinary people are fascinating to me, too, and there is a Duke's mixture of characters with amazing and unique bodies and skills throughout the story. There is a lot here that will remind the reader of the Elephant Man story or at least it did me, though, this lead character has loads of body and facial hair rather than the gigantic tumors John Merrick was born with. Wild Boy is mistreated and abused but like John Merrick there is nothing wrong with his mind, he just feels he has to accept the life he is forced into because - where could he go? There are scientists working on a major invention that will change people and lots of evil occurs to try to gain control of the device. Where once enemies fought like tigers now they become first friendly enemies then something more closer to real friends bordering on what could turn to romance. Lots of murders and mysterious clues and a very fun read. The reader will try to figure it out from beginning to end. I do recommend this book to all ages it is a fun read if a little graphic at times.
