Phenomena

When his mother died, Malcolm, at six years old, became one of the "lost" children, those forgotten or abandoned by their families. He grew up mirroring many of the mannerisms of the other children, while knowing he was different from them. Malcolm's story is one of immeasurable sadness, when considering the tragedy and abuse of his wasted earlier life, and yet, with an admirable strength, courage and innate resilience, he ultimately rose above it all, and was able to "free the regular boy within" as he had always wanted. In Tarr's moving story of one boy's journey through Seacliff's version of New Zealand insane asylums, with all its tragi-comic consequences, many unasked questions about why large psychiatric institutions have now been closed are answered. This gripping gothic tale, told and retold then assembled into an integrated and compelling story is a must-read for those touched by institutionalization. -- Book cover.